U.S. Provides Flood Assistance to Zambia
Contact: USAID Press Office, 202-712-4320; Public Information: 202-712-4810
WASHINGTON, April 16 /Standard Newswire/ -- Earlier this week, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Andrew Passen issued a disaster declaration due to the impact of flooding in Zambia. As a result, the United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided $50,000 in assistance for the distribution of emergency relief supplies through the Zambian Red Cross.
Heavy rains throughout the year have resulted in flooding in Zambia, causing 65,000 people to be displaced and 295,000 people to require immediate assistance, as well as significant damage to infrastructure and crops, according to the Government of Zambia. In February 2007, a USAID regional advisor traveled to Zambia to provide technical assistance to the government in preparation for a rapid flood assessment.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as appropriate.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.