Annan pledges continued UN aid to victims of Ethiopia’s deadly floods


Kofi Annan

15 August 2006

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today pledged the world body’s continued support to Ethiopia as it works to assist victims of recent floods that took the lives of more than 350 people and displaced nearly 20,000 others.

“The Secretary-General is deeply saddened over the loss of life and damage caused by the recent flooding in Dire Dawa and South Omo, Ethiopia,” his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said today, extending condolences to those affected and commending the Government for its rapid rescue operation of thousands of people marooned by the floods.

Mr. Annan reaffirmed “that the United Nations humanitarian and development agencies will continue to assist the national response to this disaster.”

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has already distributed tents, blankets, jerry cans and plastic cups and plates to some of those struck by the floods while releasing enough rations to feed 10,000 people there for a month.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is sending 2,000 family kits, which include buckets, soap and water purification tablets, to the affected area.

On 6 August, the Dechatu River burst its banks by as much as 200 metres on either side in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia’s sixth-largest city and home to about 400,000 people.

UN NEWS CENTRE