UN mobilizing aid to help Benin flood victims

 New York, 25 Oct-()ANA)-The United Nations is mobilizing aid to Benin, where nearly 700,000 people have

been affected by severe flooding, it has been reported.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

said water, food and emergency shelter were among the priority

needs in flooded areas.

Cholera cases have been reported in some areas, with fears that the epidemic will spread.

OCHA noted that food is being distributed in flood-hit parts of Benin and that several new emergency shelter sites have been identified.

The Office has also allocated an emergency cash grant for tents and to support logistics operations, with a humanitarian appeal for funds to help flood victims under way. (ANA)

FA/ANA/25 October 2010--------