TORRENTIAL RAIN IN OUAGADOUGOU INCREASES NEED FOR HUMANITARIAN AID

Torrential rains and flooding in Ouagadougou, the capital, have resulted in approximately five deaths and numerous injuries and missing persons. Authorities stated that thousands of residents have been displaced in the city and the surrounding suburbs due to flooding conditions. The nation's main hospital, Yalgado Ouedraogo, was partially shut down on 1 September, forcing the evacuation of passengers from several wings of the hospital and the relocation of emergency care services. The rains affected at least five neighbourhoods in and around the capital, destroying homes, crops and livestock. Humanitarian organisations in the region have indicated that the crisis is serious and called for increased emergency measures and aid. Meteorologists indicated that further rains are expected in the coming days.