Ethiopia on Friday appealed for at least $60-million to help thousands of people displaced by fatal floods that have ravaged the Horn of Africa nation since the beginning of this month amid fears of more floods.
As emergency workers struggled against poor weather and the refusal of thousands of affected villagers to leave their cattle in the south-west, federal authorities said the funding would help alleviate suffering in the flooded regions.
At least 628 people have been killed nationwide in three weeks of flash flooding that has devastated the country, affecting more than 118 000 people, according to the United Nations and aid agencies.
”The current devastating flood problem is the worst that has been observed in a generation. It is a nightmare with the highest recorded of loss of lives and livelihoods damaging the existing poor infrastructure and assets of the already poor people,” Simon Mechale, a commissioner with Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Commission, told a press conference.
”With the damage already experienced, combined with the likelihood of more flooding, over 500 000 people are envisaged to be vulnerable to flood disaster in flood-prone areas in the country. Out of these people about 200 000 are considered as needing assistance as of August 2006,” he added.
Simon said that the country requires a total of $60 907 574 to address the damage caused by the deadly floods that first hit on August 6.
Officials said the money would be used for the delivery of humanitarian supplies, construction of low-cost houses and general rehabilitation of the areas affected by floods in eastern, southern and northern regions.
The rains that are pounding the highlands have swollen several hydro-electric and other dams to breaking point, forcing the controlled release of water despite fears the action might exacerbate damage in already stricken areas.
Worst-hit thus far has been the Omo River valley in the south-west, where at least 364 people have been confirmed dead.
There are fears the toll could rise sharply with the spread of water-borne diseases.
Officials there said water levels at Lake Turkana, which the Omo flows into along the Ethiopia-Kenya border were at a critical point. — Sapa-AFP