Flooding has affected millions of Africans throughout the continent in recent days.
From Senegal to Somalia, from Chad to South Africa, hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes, and many more need food and other supplies. Countries along the Sahel, a stretch of savannah south of the Sahara desert, have been hit particularly hard.
AllAfrica has carried dozens of reports from our content partners on the flooding. Country summaries and links to articles follow:
Sudan
After floods hit eastern and central Sudan, particularly around the Blue Nile, the United Nations responded by providing relief to as many as 500,000 people, at least 150,000 of whom are homeless. An estimated 1.5 million people will soon be in need of assistance.
UN Grants More Than $8 Million to Help in Relief Effort After Floods
Some 500,000 Flood Victims Receive Emergency Aid From UN, Partners
Flooding Reaching Unprecedented Levels
Emergency Help for Flood Victims As Death Toll Rises
Chad
Lake Lere has overflowed in southwest Chad, flooding dozens of villages. Flooding is also beginning along the Bhar Azoum River of eastern Chad. Local authorities from the town of Am Timan are appealing to the government for help.
People Flee Villages as Lake Lere Overflows
Somalia
Flooding from the Shabelle River is destroying farms and property in south-central Somalia, leaving a densely-populated area extremely vulnerable and in need of aid. Many of the 325,000 Somalians internally displaced by civil war live in the region, exacerbating the situation.
Floods Destroy Farming Lands in South-Central Region
Kenya
Heavy rains have battered the flood-prone Budalang’i region of Kenya's Busia district. Continuous heavy rain in the Western Highlands caused two dykes to break resulting in massive flooding. So far 40,000 people have been displaced. Thousands of families are stranded at high points without food or water. Instead of evacuating them, officials have decided to drop off food and other supplies to them by helicopter.
Five Feared Dead in Budalang'i Floods
MP Appeals for Choppers to Save Flood – Victims
Families Stranded After River Floods in West
Budalang'i Hit By Floods Again
Mali
Up to 15 people have died in Mali. In floods that spread across the country, 32,000 Malians are homeless, with an estimated half of them finding temporary shelter in school buildings. The government is pressing citizens to move into tents until new areas can be found where houses can be built.
Thousands of Flood Victims Could Be Stranded When Schools Reopen
Burkino Faso
Widespread floods since June have left 5,000 people internally displaced and destroyed at least 700 hectares of land. The situation is especially dire in the northern province of Loroum and the eastern provinces of Kouritenga and Namintinga. As victims wait for relief, it is likely that the school year will be pushed back from the scheduled opening date of September 15.
Communities Wiped Out By Countrywide Flooding
Mauritania
Thousands fled torrential rains in the lowlands of the southeast in early August and now they await aid. The death toll is uncertain but property destruction is widespread with nearly 11,000 left homeless in the village of Tintane alone.
Flash Flood Displaces Thousands
Health and Sanitation Next Obstacle After Flooding
Senegal
After a slow start to Senegal’s rainy season, flooding has left at least 120 people homeless in Thies. Flooding continues to destroy power lines and create dangerous conditions in Dakar, Ziguinchor, and regions in the far north.
Rains Come Late, Cause Widespread Flooding
Nigeria
In the central Plateau State, the death toll has reached 47, and the governor has spent N34 million to assist victims. Downpours have displaced at least 700 people in Lagos State, 300 of whom are currently receiving aid from the federal government. The remaining victims are finding shelter with their families or in bordering countries.
Environmental Disaster Imminent in Nigeria, Says Expert
Cote d'Ivoire
Ninety miles north of the capital, Abidjan, 2,000 displaced residents of Agboville are suffering from a sanitation crisis as a result of flood waters containing untreated sewage seeping into well systems. Many victims, who have lost land and other possessions, have to drink contaminated water because they cannot afford treated water from other sources.
Floods Wipe Out Water Source for Hundreds of People
Liberia
Heavy rains have caused flooding in the coastal cities, Robertsport and Buchanan. Hundreds of homes and other buildings were destroyed, but there were no causalities.
Flood Destroys Bridge in Margibi
Sea Erosion Hits Bassa, Cape Mount
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Uganda
Heavy rains have caused flooding in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Local officials say that building in wetlands, areas that normally absorb excess water, is one cause. The problem is exacerbated by drains clogged with garbage, plants, and silt. There have also been floods in Teso District. Bridges and roads have become impassable, and homes and crops have been destroyed.
It is Time to Get Disaster-Prepared
South Africa
Heavy rains damaged about 2,500 Cape Town structures in late July. Of the 10,000 people affected, most were from informal settlements. Clogged drains were said to have compounded the flood.
Informal Settlements Bear the Brunt of Storm
Mozambique
After severe flooding around the Zambezi and Buzi rivers in July, the Mozambique government faces the task of resettling over 60,000 internally displaced people. Some victims are returning to their homes in dangerous, at-risk areas after delays in the construction of new residential areas.
