- United Nations humanitarian agencies are increasing their relief efforts in west Africa, where rising flood waters have forced hundreds of thousands from their homes, damaged property as well as stepped up risk of infectious diseases in seven countries.
A UN report from Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) office shows that UN agencies are working in Togo, Ghana, Niger, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal amid concerns that heavy rains may continue through this month.
The camps house around 4,000 people, including 1,200 children. More than 1,500 others, including 200 children under age of five, have been affected by heavy rainfalls in central region of Sokode.
Floods have caused major infrastructural damages across Togo, including 11 bridges, and a dramatic hike in prices of basic foodstuff.
Devastation in Togo also has a humanitarian impact on people of landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which rely on port of Lome for supply of many goods.
UN development programme is planning to build a temporary bridge linking northern and southern parts of Togo.
Meanwhile, World Health Organisation has been supplying clean water, mosquito nets, drugs, vaccinations and sanitation equipment, to some 200,000 displaced people across affected countries.
Campaign is reportedly aimed at reducing intensified threat of malaria, diarrhea diseases and respiratory infections, especially for children.
Other UN agencies, such as World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), are currently also assisting in relief efforts in the region.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.