Months of torrential rain in northern Congo has left some 83,000 people battling the effects of flooding, the World Food Programme said Monday.

"To date, 83,000 people are concerned in six districts in Likouala department. Other districts along the Congo River and Ubangi could be hit in the coming days," said the WFP's Josias Gautier Massamouna, with the region labouring under almost incessant rain since July.

The WFP announced it was making $1 million available in emergency funding for those worst affected as it responds to the worst flooding seen in the area in two decades.

Last week, the Congolese government declared a humanitarian emergency and requested international assistance.

WFP representative in Congo, Jean-Martin Bauer said the UN organisation was responding by making funding available "to respond to the most urgent needs stemming from these floods." He added that some 35,000 people would benefit.

Massamouna said one of the consequences of the flooding had been to push up food prices and reduce supplies, notably of cassava.

Last year, flooding hit 200,000 people across the country, according to a February government estimate.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Wildfires can cause dangerous debris flows
Riverside CA (SPX) Oct 23, 2020
Wildfires don't stop being dangerous after the flames go out. Even one modest rainfall after a fire can cause a deadly landslide, according to new UC Riverside research. "When fire moves through a watershed, it creates waxy seals that don't allow water to penetrate the soil anymore," explained environmental science doctoral student and study author James Guilinger. Instead, the rainwater runs off the soil surface causing debris flows, which are fast-moving landslides that usually start on st ... read more