Honduras
Dozens of people have been killed among 270,000 Hondurans who have been affected by severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains, and at least 20,000 others have been forced to flee their homes for shelters. Half of those affected are children. UNICEF
17 of the 18 Departments [regions] of Honduras have experienced flooding. Photo Source: BBC. Image may be subject to copyright.
The Permanent Commission for Contingencies (COPECO) has reported
- 33 deaths were reported a
- 42,234 persons evacuated
- 467 houses were destroyed
- 10,000 homes are flooded or damaged.
- About 100,000 hectares of crops have been lost.
- Approximately 50% of the roads are damaged or destroyed.
- Some 114 out of 298 municipalities are affected.
- Public health is an area of concerns even though no outbreaks have been reported.
- PAHO/WHO reports that 14 potable water systems are damaged.
- Currently no severe food security issues, but the next production will be affected.
The main health concerns are gastrointestinal diseases and acute respiratory infections. Primary needs include portable latrines, water purification and household hygiene kits.
Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Belize
Up to 100,000 people have also been affected by the flooding in the neighboring Central American countries of Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Belize.
Haiti and Cuba
Two of the countries most impacted by the devastating 2008 hurricane season so far effects on are Haiti and Cuba. Widespread crop damage due to the numerous storms has aggravated the effects of the global food crisis, raising concerns about nutrition for children and pregnant/breastfeeding mothers. UNICEF
Kenya
As the drought worsens due to the generally poor long rains this year food security deteriorates in kenya. The worst affected areas include Turkana, Mandera, Samburu, Baringo, Marsabit, Wajir, Moyale and Garissa districts. Also affected are the districts of Isiolo, Laikipia, Ijara, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Mwingi, Makueni, Mbeere, Malindi, Kilifi, Kwale, and Tana River districts. Source: Office of the President
DR Congo
Tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing from the areas of Tongo, Kalengera, Kabiza and Rumangabo, in the North Kivu province (east Democratic Republic of Congo), where new fighting broke out Friday between the Congolese military and rebels of the renegade pro-Rwandan general Laurent Nkunda. Source: (MISNA)
Bangladesh
Several people have been killed, and dozens injured as tropical storm Rashmi struck southern Bangladesh damaging thousands of homes, uprooting trees and destroying vast areas of croplands. Further details of certain damage to coastal areas are not yet available.
Cyclone Sidr destroyed the coastal areas last November, killing up to 3,500 and displacing about two million people. (Reuters)
Pakistan
More than 15 per cent of the children, living in the camps set up by the government for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Bajaur tribal region, are suffering from malnutrition. (source: DG Newspapers)
Meanwhile, a strong magnitude 6.4 earthquake centered about 60 km (35 miles) NNE of Quetta, Pakistan, 640 km (400 miles) WSW of the capital, Islamabad, struck at 04:09:58 am local time, on October 29, 2008, killing at least 135 people, injuring hundreds more, making about 15,000 homeless.
Earthquake victims dig through rubble after an earthquake in Ziarat, Baluchistan province, in this video grab taken October 29, 2008. Photo: REUTERS/Express TV via Reuters TV (PAKISTAN). NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. PAKISTAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN PAKISTAN. Image may be subject to copyright.
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