Ethiopian flood toll hits 639
2006-08-25 16:42
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia appealed on Friday for millions of dollars in emergency relief for victims of the country's worst flooding in a generation as the death toll from this month's flash floods hit 639.
In addition to the confirmed nationwide deaths, at least 118 000 people have been affected by the floods, many of them left homeless, and the government issued an urgent appeal for $61m (about R436m) in aid.
"The current devastating flood problem is the worst that has been observed in a generation," said Simon Mechale, an official with the federal disaster preparedness and prevention commission.
"It is a nightmare with the highest recorded loss of lives and livelihoods, damaging existing poor infrastructure and assets of an already impoverished people."
With unusually heavy seasonal rains continuing to pound the highlands, bursting the banks of more rivers and threatening dams, Simon said more than 500 000 people were at risk, at least 200 000 of whom would require assistance.
Rampant devastation
Damage assessments show that Ethiopia needs a total of $60.9m in foreign donor funds to adequately deal with rampant devastation in flood-hit areas in almost all quadrants of the country.
The money would be used for the delivery of humanitarian supplies, like food, water and temporary shelter, construction of low-cost housing and general rehabilitation of regions affected by floods, mainly in the east, south and north.
Of the total appeal, additional search and rescue operations account for about eight million dollars (about R57m) while about five million dollars (about R35m) is needed for 92 000 tons of food and non-food items.
The southwestern Omo River valley, where 364 people are confirmed to have died since August 13, and eastern town of Dire Dawa, where 256 people were killed since August 6, were worst affected by the floods, said Simon.
"We have now a total death toll of 639, of which 256 are from Dire Dawa, 364 from South Omo and 19 from other parts of the country."
Areas still inaccessible
Meanwhile, emergency workers continued to struggle against poor weather to rescue thousands still marooned in the remote southwest, where some herders are refusing to move to higher ground without their cattle.
With many areas still inaccessible due to raging waters, silt and marsh, there were growing concerns of a sharp rise in the death toll and fears were rising of outbreaks of deadly water-borne diseases, said officials.
Forecasters warn that six areas in the north, west and south of the country will likely face further flood threats from the rains that are expected to continue until the end of the wet season in September.
The rains that are pounding the highlands have swollen several hydroelectric and other dams to breaking point, forcing the controlled release of water despite fears it might exacerbate damage in already stricken areas.
Ethiopia, home to about 70 million people, has faced heavy floods and droughts in recent years along with other countries in the Horn of Africa, which have endured cycles of deadly weather for decades.