UN: East Africa floods affecting 750,000 people kill more than 235

Kenya's President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki toured some of the affected slums within Mathare on May 06, 2024. [PCS]

UN humanitarians said on Monday nearly 750,000 people were affected by flooding in eastern Africa, with 234,000 displaced and more than 236 killed - more than 229 in Kenya alone.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also said local authorities in Kenya reported more than 285,000 people were affected nationwide.

"The United Nations and our partners are supporting the government-led response and have reached more than 126,000 people with water and sanitation assistance, 31,000 people with food and cash assistance, more than 5,000 people with health services, and nearly 26,000 people with emergency shelter support," OCHA said.

The office said that in Somalia, more than 160,000 people were affected by flooding, with more than 37,000 displaced or relocated. Flooding has killed seven children since April 19, with the states of Hirshabelle, Jubaland and Southwest the worst affected.

Humanitarian agencies said local authorities provided more than 70,000 people with food, cash, water, sanitation, shelter and health assistance. Some 50 boats were deployed to deliver supplies or evacuate people who may have been marooned by flood waters.

"Our partners estimate that the rains and floods could affect at least 770,000 people in Somalia," OCHA said. "The rains are also likely to worsen the ongoing cholera epidemic in the country."

The humanitarians said that in Burundi, torrential rains and the rising water level of Lake Tanganyika have affected nearly 180,000 people since January. The agriculture sector is heavily impacted, with national authorities estimating that 40,000 hectares - or 10 percent of the country's crop area - have been affected.

"A flood response plan seeking 25 million U.S. dollars is being finalized to support more than 300,000 people," OCHA said. "Our partners are providing health care support, drinking water, tarpaulins and psychosocial support."

The humanitarians said that in Tanzania, the government and partners deployed search-and-rescue teams and distributed emergency aid, including food, mattresses, mosquito nets and tents to assist flood-affected people.

The office said that in Rwanda, heavy rains and floods killed and injured dozens of people and damaged roads, bridges and hundreds of homes. Local authorities reported that several hectares of rice and banana plantations were also damaged.

"The governments and humanitarian partners are supporting evacuation efforts and the response," OCHA said.