2 Nov 2010

BENIN / FLOODS

Torrential rains have been pounding West and Central Africa for weeks causing major flooding across the region. Benin has been particularly hard hit. Over 600,000 people have been affected. UNHCR

Posted at: November 2, 2010 3:05 pm

Duration: 02:19

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: BENIN / FLOODS
TRT: 2.19
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / FON / MINA

DATELINE:  29, 30 OCTOBER 2010, VOSSA, COTONOU, BENIN

SHOTLIST:

30 OCTOBER 2010, VOSSA, BENIN

1. Various shots, flood water and people walking in water
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Adjiguidi, Vossa resident: 
"The water, when it comes, it never rises as high as it did this year. The water rises, but not above a certain height."

29 OCTOBER 2010, COTONOU, BENIN

3. Med shot, plane being unloaded with tents 
4. Wide shot, Gatien Hounbgedij with UNHCR staff walking in the tarmac and inside the aircraft
5. SOUNDBITE (Fon) Gatien Hounbgedij, High Commissioner for National Solidarity
"The appeal of the President on an international scale has been heard and UNHCR has promptly replied."
6. Various shots, plane being unloaded with UNHCR tents

30 OCTOBER 2010, VOSSA, BENIN

7. Pan left, Vossa street 
8. SOUNDBITE (Mina) Assoumanou Rabi, Vossa resident:
"I was pregnant when the floods began and I gave birth on October 21st, here in the water. This is my baby that I have in my arms. We get bitten by mosquitoes here and where we are in the water, there are plenty of snakes."

29 OCTOBER 2010, VOSSA, BENIN

9. Wide shot, flooded house

30 OCTOBER 2010, VOSSA, BENIN

8. Med shot, kids transport safe water by raft 
9. Wide shot, flooded street
10. Med shot, boy sailing on a board
11. Med shot, clothes hanging to dry on the street
12. Various shots, people in the streets

STORYLINE:

Torrential rains have been pounding West and Central Africa for weeks causing major flooding across the region.

Benin has been particularly hard hit. Two-thirds of the country has been touched in one way or another. Even areas not usually prone to flooding have been devastated.

Over 600,000 people have been affected.

Schools never opened in the fall and many businesses have gone under. Adjiguidi, lives here in Vossa, part of the capital Cotonou. He explains that he has never seen the water so high.

SOUNDBITE (French) Adjiguidi, Vossa resident:
"The water, when it comes it never rises as high as it did this year. The water rises, but not above a certain height."

In response to a UN emergency call, UNHCR flew in 3,000 tents. They will provide shelter for over 15,000 people.

SOUNDUP (Fon) Gatien Hounbgedij, High Commissioner for National Solidarity:
"UNHCR answered our appeal."

The first to receive the tents will be those most at risk and without a home.Assoumanou Rabi, had to move quickly when the waters rose. She ended here on the side of the road.

SOUNDBITE (Mina) Assoumanou Rabi, Vossa resident: 
"I was pregnant when the floods began and I gave birth on October 21st, here in the water. This is my baby that I have in my arms. We get bitten by mosquitoes here and where we are in the water, there are plenty of snakes."

Rabi's belonging have been ruined by the water and she says she cannot return to her house. She will have to live here, on the side walk for a few more weeks and then she will have to find the money to rebuild. She is not alone.

In the mean time, the rains will continue for a few more weeks.