D.R. Congo: Floods Hit Equateur Province, Assistance On Way

(New York / Geneva / Kinshasa: 30 July 2010): Floods have devastated the Basunkusu area, located in the northern part of the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The province is located in the country's north-west, bordering the Republic of the Congo (RoC) to the west and the Central African Republic (CAR) to the north.

"The needs are significant, and we must ensure that an appropriate response is swiftly provided", said Fidéle Sarassoro, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the vast African nation. "This natural disaster adds to the already grim humanitarian picture of the province", he added.

The flooding follows torrential rains which have hit the area during the course of last week.

Nearly 300 homes were totally destroyed, leaving an estimated 1,500 individuals homeless. Humanitarians fear that, due to the weak structure of most dwellings, this figure could significantly increase over the coming days.

Latrines have been damaged, causing the contamination of water. "The risk of epidemic diseases is huge", said Dr. Issaka Compaoré, acting Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the DRC. Medical care is necessary to respond to potential waterborne diseases.

The population was in urgent need of shelter, household goods, clean water, medicines, and food. Fields have also been destroyed, thereby seriously affecting livelihoods - in an area where 80% of the population depends on agriculture for survival. Schools, like other public buildings, have also been severely damaged.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has already provided water purification materials, as well as 100 emergency kits with household goods. WHO and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have delivered over 300 kg of medical supplies, while UNFPA has further assisted with the provision of four reproductive health kits. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided 500 blankets and 250 anti-malaria mosquito nets to the homeless.

The Equateur Province was the scene of armed violence since October 2009. At its climax, over 200,000 people had fled their homes, whether as internally displaced persons (IDPs) or refugees. At the present time, it is estimated that over 40,000 are still internally displaced.