Deadly floods uproot tens of thousands in Central African Republic’s capital

Source(s): The New Humanitarian

By Adrienne Surprenant

Weeks of torrential rain have caused severe flooding in Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless in a city of one million that is still recovering from years of conflict.

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Heavy rainfall and flooding – driven by a weather phenomenon called the Indian Ocean Dipole – have hit several East African countries since July. In South Sudan, flooding has affected close to a million peoplewhile more than 300,000 people have been temporarily displaced in Somalia.

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But flood victims complained to TNH of a lack of organisation and support. Many were still sleeping near their destroyed neighbourhoods, under fragile tarpaulins that offered little protection from the ongoing rains – or from snakes and mosquitoes. Water-borne diseases could soon spread.

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At another displacement site known as Socada, 2,036 people are still waiting for a roof to be installed. They live together under one main tent and smaller shelters built from scavenged materials. “The government put us here; they need to do something for us,” said mother-of-six Veronique Nzouta, who suffers from high blood pressure and has been feeling more sick since the waters flooded her home.

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Hazards Flood
Country and region Central African Republic
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