Burkina Faso
Catholic Charity to the Aid of Displaced Persons
| OUAGADOUGOU, September 11, 2009 ( CISA) -Catholic Relief Services has committed USD 250,000 for flood victims in Burkina Faso, helping thousands left homeless by torrential rains find food and shelter.Over 100,000 people were driven from their homes in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou on September 1 when more than 10 inches of rain fell in a 12-hour period. Many have found shelter with friends and family but the Red Cross estimates more than 41,000 are still homeless. The displaced have found shelter at schools, churches and mosques.A visit to the Baskuy section of the city revealed the extent of the damage. At the Nimnin primary school, where 1,400 people are staying, classrooms are stacked to the ceilings with goods salvaged from collapsed houses. Women, children and the elderly sleep in classrooms while men sleep outside in the school courtyard or stay next to their damaged homes to prevent looting.“Many of the families who lost everything were farmers who grew vegetables along the banks of the canals and dikes in Ouagadougou,” says CRS Burkina Faso Country Representative Debbie Shomberg. “They not only lost their homes and belongings, but also their livelihoods.”CRS will provide USD50 vouchers to 3,000 households with priority given to those headed by women. The vouchers will enable residents to buy construction materials and other items needed to reconstruct their homes. CRS also plans to distribute food to more than 15,000 displaced people. The bulgur, lentils and oil were provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development. CRS will provide Catholic parishes housing the displaced with money for cooking fuel and hot meals.A major concern is the water and sanitation facilities at the temporary shelter sites. CRS is providing assistance that includes hygiene promotion, rehabilitation and construction of toilets and washing areas, and the management of water facilities. In addition, CRS will distribute 30 large water storage tanks to sites around the city. |
News Date: 11th September 2009
