USAID Provides Assistance to Togo Flood Victims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2008
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an initial $50,000 to the Togolese Red Cross for the provision of emergency relief supplies to the flood-affected population in Togo.
Beginning in mid-July, heavy rains led to flooding in central and southeastern Togo, including the cities of Atakpame, Vogan and the capital of Lomé. The UN Development Program estimates that the flooding has killed 6 people, affected between 30,000 and 40,000 others, and displaced approximately 4,000 families. The Government of Togo has evacuated flood-affected families, who are currently sheltered in school buildings and camps set up by the Togolese military.
On July 27, flood waters on the Haho River destroyed infrastructure, including a strategic bridge on the main north/south road linking Lomé to the rest of Togo and the Sahel countries. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the floods also damaged crops and rendered at least nine bridges unusable, disrupting trade links with neighboring countries and potentially exacerbating the ongoing food crisis in West Africa.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation in close consultation with the U.S. Embassy in Lomé and provide additional support as needed.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.
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