afrol News, 21 October - Flash floods in northern Kenya have displaced almost 14,000 people, with UN humanitarian agency saying there is urgent need of supplies such as food, shelter and clean water.

Elizabeth Byrs of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told reporters in Geneva today, that at least three people were killed and 6,000 uprooted from their homes in district of Mandera in north-east Kenya, when River Daua burst its banks on 14 October.

Reports further said, 16 people are still missing following floods, which submerged seven wells and 350 toilets and further forcing three schools to close down, while Displaced are said to be at police station in Tigoni, 30 kilometres from Nairobi.

According Mr Byrs, a major concern right now is contaminated water sources and disease outbreak which threaten 150,000 residents of Mandera. She also stressed need to ensure distribution of water purification tablets and to repair the damaged water sources.

Recent flood-related displacement had exacerbated inter-clan tensions, she also added.

Meanwhile, more than 7,500 people have also been affected by floods in Turkana district in north-west Kenya, according to reports, with further major concerns about food security in that community and impact of the floods on their harvest.

Urgent needs for both communities include food supplies for one month, rapid construction of latrines, water purification tablets, tents, covers, mosquito nets and repairing the water supply system, said Ms. Byrs.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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