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Flood misery hits arc of Africa Rains threaten flood-hit Africa
(about 6 hours later)
An estimated one million people across Africa have been hit by prolonged rains which have destroyed crops, burst dams and left dozens dead, officials say. The UN is warning of fresh rains and outbreaks of water-borne disease across Africa, where flash floods have already affected more than one million people.
Parts of Ghana have been declared a disaster zone, while on the other side of the continent, many thousands are now homeless in Ethiopia and Uganda. Scores of people have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the floods that have submerged much of the continent's most productive farmland.
The UN said the floods could lead to locust infestations and outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera. The UN said there was an urgent need for food, shelter and medicine.
The flooding and torrential rain have brought chaos to at least 14 countries. At least 14 countries have been hit in West, Central and East Africa by some of the worst rains in living memory.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said 500,000 people had been affected in West Africa and a further 500,000 in Sudan, and the numbers were rising. UN spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said: "The rains are set to continue and we are really concerned because a lot of people are homeless and infectious diseases could emerge."
class="bodl" href="#anchor">See map of the worst-affected nations
class="bodl" href="#anchor">See map of the worst-affected nations "We have 500,000 people affected in 12 countries in West Africa, and also in East Africa - in Sudan and Ethiopia.
Health charities have warned that many areas are in urgent need of food, shelter and medicine. "Some of the poorest countries, like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger - the poorest nation in the world - are badly affected," Ms Brys told the BBC.
The BBC's Adam Mynott says not a single country in West, Central and East Africa has been unaffected by the torrential rain. The UN said the floods could lead to locust infestations and outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
'Dire' situation'Dire' situation
In Uganda, where at least nine people are reported to have died, government minister Musa Ecweru said the situation "borders a crisis". One of the worst-hit areas is Uganda, where up to 400,000 people have been affected by the country's heaviest rains for 35 years.
"Several communities have been cut off and we cannot access them," he said.
Some villages and communities have now been totally wiped off the map of Ghana George Azi AmooGhana's national disaster management co-ordinatorSome villages and communities have now been totally wiped off the map of Ghana George Azi AmooGhana's national disaster management co-ordinator
In Ethiopia, one of the worst-hit east African nations, deaths have been reported and a massive food aid programme has been set up after flooding hit almost 200,000 people. At least nine people are reported to have died, and government minister Musa Ecweru said the situation "borders a crisis".
In West Africa, Ghana has been hit particularly hard, with at least 20 people killed and about 400,000 people made homeless. The BBC's Sarah Grainger arrived in Magoro in Katakwi district by helicopter. She described inundated roads and fields and said people were using dug-out canoes to move around.
The floods have submerged land which produces food for the entire country. She says many of the 7,000 inhabitants have lost their crops and food security is now one of the biggest issues.
President John Kufuor has declared the north of his country a disaster zone. The airlifting of food and medical supplies to affected areas is expected to start on Monday or Tuesday. The UN has diverted a helicopter from Darfur in Sudan to help with the effort.
In Ethiopia, deaths have been reported and a massive food aid programme has been set up after flooding hit almost 200,000 people.
Sudan has seen some of its worst floods in living memoryIn West Africa, Ghana has been hit hard, with at least 20 people killed and about 400,000 people made homeless.
The floods have submerged land which produces food for the entire country. President John Kufuor has declared the north of his country a disaster zone.
George Azi Amoo, co-ordinator of Ghana's disaster management body, told the BBC: "Some villages and communities have now been totally wiped off the map of Ghana."George Azi Amoo, co-ordinator of Ghana's disaster management body, told the BBC: "Some villages and communities have now been totally wiped off the map of Ghana."
Sudan has seen some of its worst floods in living memoryHe said food and clothing were being distributed, and that the country's small navy had sent two boats to help ferry people to safety. He said food and clothing were being distributed, and that the navy had sent two boats to help ferry people to safety.
It is feared that outbreaks of diseases such as cholera are likely due to the contamination of the water supply. In neighbouring Togo some 34,000 people have been displaced and the infrastructure has suffered major damage after rains demolished 100 bridges and seven dams.
In neighbouring Togo some 34,000 people have been displaced, at least 20 killed and the infrastructure has suffered major damage. Dozens are also reported dead in Sudan, which has suffered some of the worst floods in living memory. The death toll may rise as much of the affected area is inaccessible except by air.
Officials in northern Rwanda said 15 people had died there and 500 homes had been destroyed since Wednesday.Officials in northern Rwanda said 15 people had died there and 500 homes had been destroyed since Wednesday.
Dozens are also reported dead in Sudan, which has been suffering some of the worst floods in living memory.
Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua told the AFP news agency: "We have activated our disaster response and the government and aid groups are providing food, shelter and medicine to those affected by the floods."
Niger, Nigeria, Liberia, Mali and Burkino Faso are among other countries affected.
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