In Angola flooding brings homelessness and cholera

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The flooding has also stressed already-poor sanitary conditions, and there is an increase in cholera.

Last year, almost 3,000 people died of cholera. This is not a true figure, however, as there are unreported cases in isolated rural areas of the country.

The number of new cholera cases has doubled from an average of 45 cases a day in Luanda to 90 a day, after the rains. Angola's Ministry of Health officially asked WHO (the World Health Organization) for help. According to UNICEF, children under five are making up over a third of the cholera cases. Young children are more likely to die from cholera than healthy adults.

The United States has offered assistance to flood victims. USAID donated 70,000 dollars to provide clean water, kitchen utensils and soap for 7,800 people. Also receiving assistance from USAID are refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo who live on the outskirts of Luanda.

Many people died in Luanda and its suburbs when the storms ignited flash floods and landslides, spreading raw sewage through densely-populated areas.

According to the Angola Peace Monitor, the United States was one of the first countries to respond to this crisis. I find that very refreshing.