NIGER: FLOODS (RESENDING WITH CORRECTION) Thousands in Niger lose homes after devastating floods.

Record ID: 236855

  • Title: NIGER: FLOODS (RESENDING WITH CORRECTION) Thousands in Niger lose homes after devastating floods.
  • Date: 22nd August 2014
  • Summary: NIAMEY, NIGER (AUGUST 19, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DAMAGED HOMES NEAR NIGER RIVER VARIOUS OF TASSIKONOU SCHOOL IN NIAMEY, WHICH IS HOSTING 40 DISPLACED FAMILIES (SOUNDBITE) (Zarma) FATI HALIDOU, NIAMEY RESIDENT SAYING: "We are just seeking refuge here. We no longer have homes. Look at this, we are victims of this every year." SCHOOL COURTYARD VARIOUS OF DJAMAL HASSANE, NIAMEY RESIDENT COOKING AT THE SCHOOL (SOUNDBITE) (Zarma) DJAMAL HASSANE, NIAMEY RESIDENT SAYING: "We were lucky, otherwise many more people would have died. Fortunately, the neighbours were there, otherwise I myself would not be here." VARIOUS OF CLASSROOM WHERE DISPLACED FAMILIES SLEEP VARIOUS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD OF NOMARE WHICH IS FLOODED (SOUNDBITE) (French) HALIDOU HASSANE, NIAMEY RESIDENT SAYING: "The water has practically closed off all roads, because many neighbourhoods have no water drainage passages." VIEWS OF NIAMEY (SOUNDBITE) (French) SAADA TOUBARMOU, ADVISOR TO THE PRIME MINISTER ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES SAYING: "There are some illegal constructions that have taken place, and it's not just in the urban areas, it's everywhere, it's even in the rural villages." TOUBARMOU'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (French) SAADA TOUBARMOU, ADVISOR TO THE PRIME MINISTER ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES SAYING: "There are of course many parts where the infrastructure in place which is supposed to facilitate drainage is decrepit. But if I can add, there are other factors contributing to this problem, namely the high levels of poverty amongst many people, who cannot afford to build adequate infrastructure to protect themselves against flooding." VARIOUS OF FLOODED HOUSES
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Niger
  • Country: Niger
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAYMUWRQ6CXBDKQ7AIAXEALBFU
  • Story Text: Residents of Niger's capital Niamey are still trying to come to terms with the aftermath of the heavy rains and floods that have caused havoc and destroyed thousands of homes.
    The heavy rainfall caused the Niger River to burst its banks in parts of Niamey, destroying hectares of vegetable gardens and rice fields and displacing thousands of people around the capital.
    More than 5,000 homes have also been destroyed.
    Displaced people in Niamey are taking shelter in schools across the capital, like this one in the neighbourhood of Nomare.
    "We are just seeking refuge here. We no longer have homes. Look at this, we are victims of this every year, said one Niamey resident, Fati Halidou.
    According to official figures, more than 24 people have died and around 6,000 left homeless by the severe flooding that has affected Niger since early August.
    "We were lucky, otherwise many more people would have died. Fortunately, the neighbours were there, otherwise I myself would not be here," said Djamal Hassane, another Niamey resident who has been displaced by the floods.
    In some of Niamey's streets, which are still under water, people make their way though flooded streets, walking knee deep in water, while carrying the few belongings they managed to save.
    "The water has practically closed off all roads, because many neighbourhoods have no water drainage passages," said another Niamey resident, Halidou Hassane.
    The Meteorological Office of Niger has warned that heavy rains are expected to continue until the end of the month.
    The floods had a devastating impact on the communities, many of whom live in poorer parts of the city, with poorly built houses.
    "There are some illegal constructions that have taken place, and it's not just in the urban areas, it's everywhere, it's even in the rural villages," said the Saada Toubarmou, advisor to the Niger's prime minister on humanitarian issues.
    Authorities blame ageing infrastructure for exarcebating the destruction of homes.
    "There are of course many parts where the infrastructure in place which is supposed to facilitate drainage is decrepit. But if I can add, there are other factors contributing to this problem, namely the high levels of poverty amongst many people, who cannot afford to build adequate infrastructure to protect themselves against flooding," added Toubarmou.
    Nigerien authorities have appealed for emergency aid, of more than 101 million U.S. Dollars to assist those who have been dispelled by the floods.
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