Floods : the african continent was overwhelmed by the epidemics

Manika Kamara/AP/SIPA

Published the 04.09.2017 at 14: 20

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inondationAfriqueépidémiemaladie infectious

A humanitarian crisis silent is in the offing. While all minds are turned towards the victims of hurricane Harvey, the United States, another region of the world is the costs of natural disasters.

On the african continent, three countries lament the hundreds of deaths linked to flooding and landslides. Question : heavy and unusual precipitation that fell on the Sierra Leone, Nigeria and the democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The situation is such that the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has publicly voiced its concerns. On Twitter, the Ethiopian says it is ” deeply concerned about the health consequences of floods in Bangladesh, India, Sierra Leone, Yemen and the United States “.

Deeply concerned about health consequences of floods in Bangladesh, India, Sierra Leone, Yemen, US

— Tedros Adhanom (@DrTedros) 2 September 2017

A food crisis

The concern is justified. Unlike in the U.s., these developing countries do not always have a health system suitable. Alongside local authorities, the humanitarian associations are activated so to prevent the diseases related to the flooding.

A mobilization that was hailed by the director of the who, which refers to ” the heroism of health care professionals, volunteers and communities who work with victims in very difficult circumstances “. In fact, Nigeria must work simultaneously on two fronts.

In the South-east of the country, the State of Benue is faced with a flood of the river of the same name. In this region, mainly agricultural, entire families had to flee their farms. Two relief camps have been set up in Makurdi, the State capital. A relief to be insufficient, since 110 000 people have been displaced by the flood.