Ouagadougou experiences worst floods in decades

4 September 2009

Severe flooding in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, earlier this week, has caused major damage throughout the city, leaving an estimated 150,000 people homeless with a number reported missing.

Houses have collapsed and seven people are thought to have died. Some members of staff from the WaterAid office and their families have been affected by the situation but are safe and well with their colleagues assisting them where possible.

The flood waters have smashed bridges and washed away roads, making rescue missions extremely hazardous. In addition, an electrical plant has been destroyed which has caused power supply problems.

Many government buildings have been damaged, such as the Ouagadougou Yalgado Hospital, and one of the main safe water treatment plants, meaning the national water utility has lost 30 per cent of its operational capacity, bringing serious water shortages to the city in schools, churches and mosques which are overcrowded. The Ouagadougou forest has also been affected.

A number of sites have been set up around the capital to provide accommodation, and these have been visited by Government officials who have set up a crisis committee to monitor developments.

"The flooding is serious and has affected our work; particularly because of the electricity problems it has caused," said Inna Guenda, WaterAid's Communications Officer in Burkina Faso.

"Every time we see a cloud in the sky, we are afraid to leave our homes."