Ethiopia’s Gambella calls for emergency aid after floods

August 28, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia’s Gambella regional state has appealed for an emergency aid after continued torrential rains and flash floods that spread to four more districts left thousands more to be displaced.

Gambella region disaster prevention and food security department said.

“The number of displaced people in the region has reached 20,000” said Akway Ojulu, team leader within the Gambella region disaster prevention and food security department.

Torrential rains that started a week ago have forced four rivers to burst their banks.

Most of the displaced are reported to have been sheltered in schools.

“We temporarily need two million Birr worth of relief aid at this moment but when we release our official appeal we will raise the appeal,” he further told reporters.

According to the official food is partly being distributed to the people in need most but additional aid and motor boats for transport is in short to reach out the displaced.

There are fears that water-borne diseases might break out any time and could risk lives of people unless drugs and medical team arrives soon.

“We have already distributed blended food to 6000 people of two districts but there are people at large that need emergency aid of food, households, and drugs for themselves and their livestock’s.”

Gambella region is amongst those areas which are repeatedly hit by heavy floods. Last year similar incidents have left 135,000 people displaced.

(ST)