UN agencies launch appeal to assist flood victims in Burkina Faso

United Nations aid agencies and their partners today launched an appeal for more than $14 million to help the victims of flooding in Burkina Faso rebuild their homes and livelihoods over the next six month.

The emergency humanitarian action plan unveiled today estimates that about 105,000 Burkinabé require assistance as a result of floods which have struck the impoverished West African country since early July. At least 16 people have reportedly died and many others remain missing.

The Sahel, north, north-central, eastern and central plateau regions were among the worst affected areas, with residents losing homes, livestock and belongings. Some villages remain inaccessible by land.

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has already allocated $2 million to aid agencies operating in Burkina Faso to help them deal with the aftermath of the floods. Those funds will go to the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Many victims have been living in overcrowded schools, government buildings and other infrastructure since the floods began, and the most urgent needs include food, shelter, clean water and sanitation and health care.