Summary: On 24 April 2015, continuous storms resulted in extensive flooding, destruction of houses and loss of household belongings in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth districts of Berbérati, located 584 kilometres from Bangui, in the Central African Republic (CAR). According to a rapid assessment carried out by the local committee of the Central African Republic Red Cross (CAR RC), 210 households (1,109 people) were affected, with 199 houses completely destroyed. It was also reported that one person was killed, and seven injured; the latter were referred to the Berbérati regional hospital for treatment. As of 5 May 2015, the displaced population was hosted by other households within Berbérati; however, some lived in the open air, which increased their exposure to the extreme weather conditions, as well as to communicable and respiratory diseases. In addition, water and sanitation infrastructure were submerged and contaminated, increasing the risk of spread of waterborne diseases. As predicted by the CAR meteorological department, the rains have continued in the affected areas. Therefore, the response by the CAR RC in collaboration with the IFRC is ongoing. The beneficiaries were already extremely vulnerable prior to the flooding, since they had also been affected by the CAR crisis, whose effects are still being felt.
As a result of the situation, a DREF operation was launched on 13 May 2015 to assist some 1,109 beneficiaries (210 households) for a period of three months in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth districts of Berberati, located 584 kilometres from Bangui in the Central Africa Republic (CAR).
This operation update reports on progress recorded during the three months of the operation and requests for a timeframe extension of the operation for an additional two weeks, until 31 August, 2015. As of now, the only Red Cross partner that is engaged in the Berberati Storm activities with the National Society is the IFRC, through this DREF worth CHF 99,788.