Red Cross Provides Aid to Flood Victims

Red Cross volunteers in Ghana's Upper East Region have donated their entire emergency stock of 40 blankets to flood victims in the town of Bolatanga, the society's national coordinator for disaster relief and preparedness, Sullay Sumani, told IRIN on Wednesday.

"That's all they had," he said.

A Red Cross assessment team left for the town on Wednesday to determine the number of people needing help, property damage and the amount of aid required.

The flooding, which began on Monday after a four-hour downpour, was caused mainly by poor drainage and buildings erected in waterways, the state-owned 'Daily Graphic' reported. The fire service, police and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation rescued frightened residents from their rooftops. Sumani said emergency teams of Red Cross teams volunteers provided first aid.