RSS Feeds and Podcasts
TBD
Floods raise health risks in West Africa
The World Health Organization has warned that rising flood waters in West Africa are increasing health risks for millions of people in six countries in the region.
WHO spokesman Paul Garwood says the agency has received reports that more than 200,000 people have been displaced by floods and this displacement has increased the risk of communicable diseases.
Mr. Garwood says in Benin alone, more than 150,000 people have been displaced.
"We are seeing a cholera outbreak in that country where currently 192 cases have been confirmed. In Guinea Bissau we are seeing a continuing outbreak of cholera there, with 2,018 cases reported and 41 deaths, as a result of cholera. WHO is assisting in all of these countries."
Paul Garwood says the UN agency is planning to provide medicine, food, sanitation and clean drinking water to the need people in the six West African countries.
This is Dianne Penn for UN Radio.
(duration: 1'15")
