Voldsom regn har medført oversvømmelser i Colombia, som myndighederne kalder de værste i landets historie. Op mod 2 millioner mennesker er berørt.
The UN refugee agency is stepping up efforts to provide emergency assistance to thousands of Colombians affected by exceptionally heavy rains that have caused floods, washed out roads and sparked widespread displacement.
President Juan Manuel Santos has called the flooding “the worst natural catastrophe in the history of Colombia”.
Government estimates put the number of people affected at more than two million and it has predicted that assistance to victims and the cost of rebuilding infrastructure could exceed US$ 5 billion (ca. 28 mia. d. kr.).
SÆRLIGT SLEMT NORDPÅ
Hardest hit has been the north of country where dozens of towns remain under water. Thousands of people are living in shelters, and others have moved to less affected areas.
Responding to the government’s appeal for international assistance, the UN refugee agency – which runs an operation to assist more than three million people displaced by violence – began distributing emergency aid in affected areas two weeks ago. The agency is working with local and regional authorities as well as with the Colombian Red Cross.
