Red Cross Red Crescent

Severe flooding leaves thousands homeless in Tunisia
24 January 2003

Some 600 families, or 3,000 people, have been evacuated from their homes in northern and central Tunisia as a result of flooding caused by two weeks of heavy rains.

There are no reports of deaths or injuries, but 100 houses built of earth have been destroyed and hundreds more are completely flooded out. Dozens of head of cattle have drowned, fields of vegetables are underwater and people have lost not only their belongings but also their food stocks. Eight of the country's 24 governorates have been affected.

Local branches of the Tunisian Red Crescent mobilised some forty volunteers to provide first aid and distribute mattresses, blankets, clothing and food to the families evacuated by the army and civil defence.

Most have been sheltered in recreation centres, while others have been taken in by friends or relatives. The Tunisian Red Crescent has given these host families financial support to enable them to buy food for the flood victims.

"We were able to meet immediate needs thanks to our volunteers and our emergency stocks", says Dr. Tahar Cheniti, Secretary General of the Tunisian Red Crescent.

"Most affected families are small farmers or agricultural workers and their homes are modest. Usually, they stock reserves of couscous, oil and pasta for the family for the year, and now they have nothing left. The priority is to help them rebuild or clean out their houses and reconstitute their food stocks", he explains.

The rains, which have not abated, have been accompanied by a cold wave. In the governorate of Kasserine, one of the regions affected by the floods, 50 centimetres of snow have fallen.

Houses are not designed to cope with such unusual weather and many people, children and the elderly in particular, are suffering from respiratory tract infections. Last week, the Tunisian Red Crescent deployed two medical teams, comprising eight doctors each, as well as volunteers trained in first aid to the flooded areas.

"Winter will last at least another two months", Dr. Cheniti points out. "Therefore we are planning to continue helping flood victims until April. They will need not only shelter, food and clothing, but also hygiene items."

The Red Crescent stocks are almost entirely depleted as well as its emergency relief fund which was used to buy food and other emergency items. A Federation relief coordinator is on his way to help the Red Crescent complete a more detailed assessment of needs.

Related links:

Tunisia: appeals, updates and reports
Regional programmes in Middle East and North Africa
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