CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Red Cross distributes non-food items to Bangui flood victims

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

BANGUI, 22 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The Red Cross of the Central African Republic distributed on Sunday non-food items, high energy biscuits and medicines to some 461 families affected by floods in the capital 17 days ago, the society's coordinator, Alphonse Zarambaud, said.

"Five thousand people received the items," he said on Sunday in Bangui, the capital.

This round of distributions went to families with more than 10 members each in the southern neighbourhoods of Bangui. The items consisted of blankets, pots, soap and jerry cans. UN agencies provided lamps, the high energy biscuits and the medicines.

"We are waiting to get more lamps for distribution," he said.

At the moment, he added, the Red Cross only had 480 lamps, fewer than the number of people needing the devices. However, the Red Cross has distributed potable water.

Faced with the possibility of a disease outbreak, due to overflowing latrines and possibly contaminated boreholes, the government has been advising the public to drink water only served by the national water plant. At least 4,000 jerry cans have been given out to the affected population.

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