Deadly floods 'threaten health and livelihoods in Kenya'
11/01/2010
Extensive flooding in Kenya has so far claimed the lives of at least 20 people, it has been reported.
According to the Kenyan Red Cross, around 30,000 people have been affected by the flooding, which was brought about by the onset of heavy rain around ten days ago.
Northern, central and western Kenya have all been impacted, warned Elisabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the United Nations' office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs.
She continued: "The main concern from these floods in Kenya is cholera. Last December, the Turkana district faced an unprecedented cholera outbreak."
Ms Byrs added that crops have also been damaged, posing a threat to peoples' livelihoods, although a formal assessment of the situation has not yet been carried out.
Last month, Bloomberg reported that Kenya experienced little economic growth during the third quarter of 2009 - something that was partly attributed to prolonged periods of drought in the country.
Written by Simon Bassett
