A state of emergency has been declared in several regions of Uganda, one of worst affected among 18 countries hit by rains and floods across Africa, officials said Thursday. "A declaration for a state of emergency has been made," Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Relief Tarsis Kabwegyere told AFP.
The government said last week that some 400,000 people were in need of assistance in Uganda, where at least 18 people have died as a result of the floods. Kabwegyere said the government had earmarked 11.5 million dollars (8.2 million euros) to buy food supplies and tarpaulins and deliver them to the affected communities by road and air.
According to the United Nations, at least 1.5 million people have been affected by floods in Africa since what has been described as the worst downpours in 30 years started sweeping the continent in August.