Press Release

Red Cross warns of food crisis following Africa floods

26 September 2007

Concern is growing that severe floods which have affected the harvest in Africa will lead to food shortages, adding to the misery of thousands displaced from their homes.

A British Red Cross team of logistics specialists arrived in Uganda on 23 September to assess the situation and ensure the necessary support reaches those affected by the flooding.

John Cunningham, British Red Cross logistician who is currently in Soroti in Uganda, said: “Water continues to flow from the mountains in the North East of the country and this is causing a huge problem for people in Soroti and Katakwi.  Families have lost their crops and belongings and many homes have been washed away by the flood waters.  Roads are completely underwater which is making access to affected areas very difficult.”

Food shortages in East Africa

Kiflemariam Amdemariam, from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said:  "Massive damage to crops and the widespread destruction of grain stores by the floods have left many communities facing an uncertain future. With harvest either already happening, or just a few months away, a second emergency is looming as food shortages could become widespread."

In Uganda, where harvest predictions were good, most crops have been destroyed or washed away. Some people tried to harvest prematurely but the wet ground makes it difficult to dry and preserve the produce. In Sudan, although floods are not uncommon, the rains came a month earlier than expected and caught many communities unprepared.

Amdemariam continued: "Peoples' abilities to be self-sufficient and to grow and harvest their own food have been dramatically undermined and more needs to be done to help these vulnerable people recover. The devastating impact of these floods will be felt by the affected communities for many months to come."

Africa floods appeal

The British Red Cross is urgently appealing for funds to provide emergency relief to people suffering the impact of severe flooding across Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Burkina-Faso, Ghana and Togo.

Working alongside the Federation, the British Red Cross will use funds to provide urgently needed relief to those affected by the crisis, including shelter kits, kitchen sets, jerry cans, blankets, soap, candles and water purification tablets.