International aid arrives as Djibouti cleans up from floods
Japan and the European Union are among those supporting Djibouti after severe flooding hit the Horn of Africa nation, affecting some 250,000 people according to latest numbers from the EU.
The United Nations office in Djibouti said the equivalent of two years of rainfall fell in a single day last week, with at least nine people killed – most of them children – in Djibouti City. The country’s disaster management agency said it continues to work with partners to address health risks and deliver humanitarian aid.
“Despite substantial decreases of the rainfall, and while water pumping operations managed to considerably reduce stagnant water, in some areas of the city the water is resurfacing,” the UN said Thursday. “The Ministry of Interior, the national road agency, the hydraulic department and FAO are investigating the cause of this phenomenon and finding solutions.”
Schools, roads and other infrastructure are damaged, with assessments ongoing even as more rain was forecast through today.
The EU is sending support from France, while Japan also has agreed to send blankets, sleeping mats and other emergency relief goods through its Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Image: Djibouti Ministry of Interior
Laureen Fagan
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Laureen is a freelance journalist creating high-quality, informed content on international affairs, politics and technology. She has worked both in and out of newsrooms since 2000. She is a former paramedic with significant experience in community resilience and nonprofit community development initiatives, and maintains "a passion for action" on sustainability and climate change. She also is trained in conflict resolution and diversity, and has special interests in science and medical reporting, and culture and religion issues. Laureen received her MSJ from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in the United States, and completed additional graduate study in theology at University of Notre Dame. Follow Laureen on Mastodon at @laureen@m.ai6yr.org
