Thousands left homeless in Burkina Faso Floods

At least 150,000 people have been left homeless after severe floods in Burkina Faso on the 3rd September. Over 10 inches of rainfall was reported on the capital city of Ouagadougou, the most in any 12-hour period since 1953.

Plan is coordinating relief efforts with the government and other agencies, and is appealing for urgent funding support.

It is currently estimated that about 700,000 are affected by the floods, and in the capital city of Ouagadougou 109,000 people have lost their homes and belongings. These people are being hosted in 88 sites around the city while more are still unaccounted for.

In rural areas there have been reports of dozens of collapsed houses and farms with growing crops flooded. Schools, mosques and churches are being used as temporary shelters

Stefanie Conrad, who works for Plan in Burkina Faso has experienced the floods first hand:

“Streets have turned into rivers and where water has started to recede, there is mud and dirt. Some areas of the city have become inaccessible as bridges have collapsed,” she said.

“Many people are homeless and have lost all their property, including food stocks. Owners of small shops and businesses have lost their goods and people are trying to dry whatever is left in the open air"

Buildings in the central hospital are also flooded and sick people have had to be sent to other medical centers or their homes. Electrical power also continues to be a problem as the generators were flooded and fuel is becoming short as gas station pumps cannot work without electricity.

Water has now been restored in many areas, but schools are still being used as temporary shelters. Many of those affected have been reallocated to fewer sites, and are staying in tents so that schools can reopen. This, however, presents increased security risks. Some are staying with relatives, although they are still relying on the temporary shelters for other resources. Sanitation facilities set up at the schools by Plan and other organisations may be retained for the school children after the emergency has passed.

Rebuilding and cleaning schools is an immediate priority. Plan is organising the distribution of 8000 school kits, and is involved in the rehabilitation of water damaged schools.