350-thousand people in West Africa have been left homeless by the flooding caused by rivers in three countries spilling over their banks.
The Immediate Impact
The Press Association reports that the main hospital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital is three-fourths flooded. In response, patients have been relocated and discharged. Some of the discharged patients have infectious diseases.
Speaking to France 24, a Belgian Red Cross worker says, "Bridges and dams have been destroyed, the main hospital in Ouagadougou which is close to a dam was inundated, and some patients including about 60 children were evacuated."
Speaking to the Press Association, Burkina Faso's Minister of Social Welfare Pascaline Tamini said, that she, "Expected the number of people affected to grow significantly in the coming hours."
Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore has appealed for help from the international community.
In Ghana, at least 25 people have died and 150-thousand are now refugees, looking to flee to higher ground.
The BBC reports that, "The torrential rains have also hit other countries in the region - in Senegal 30,000 homes were flooded while in Guinea 20,000 people are affected."
Neighbouring Niger has also experienced damage from the flooding. The Kora River has spilled over its banks leaving thousands homeless in the uranium rich country.
Estimates are that over 3,500 buildings in Niger's capital have been destroyed.
It was the country of Niger that was suspected of supplying the enrichable uranium for Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's nuclear program.
France 24 reports a Niger tradesman saying, "This is one of the worst disasters in the history of Agadez."
The flooding in the west is in stark contrast to the conditions in East Africa brought about by a lingering dry season.
Damage Assessment
A seven member United Nations damage assessment team representing the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is on the ground in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's flooded capital city.
A coordinated relief effort has not yet been announced.
Burkina Faso has also lost a major power plant which will hinder any rescue efforts and make damage recovery difficult.
According to the BBC, Burkina Faso Prime Minister Tertius Zongo said Friday that, "The cost of flood damage had risen to $152m (£92m) and included two destroyed dams and 12 damaged bridges."
Late summer rains in West Africa caused over 300 deaths in 2007.
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