Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
10 July 2009
Porto Novo — The government of Benin is calling for international aid following floods that have hit the south of the West African country.
According to Fr Julien Penoukou, "the nation has been hit by torrential rains for over two months, with consequences also in Cotonou.
Fr Penoukou said, "Particularly in the more populous areas, entire neighborhoods have been without water and power for days, with homes and cellars flooded."
"There is urgent need for drinking water, covers, basic medicine and mosquito nets," said the priest, according to MISNA. Experts warn that the situation may worsen in coming days as the rainy season continues.
Media reports say heavy rains of the past weeks caused the flow of an enormous quantity of water from basins in the north, causing extensive flooding of rivers in the southern departments.
Experts say countries on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea including Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo are becoming more prone to floods due to the effects of global warming.
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