The heavy rains that lasted for several hours on Monday night, 10th August 2009 destroyed over 200 houses, 150 bags of rice and 200 bags of coos in Upper Saloum District, Central River Region.

Large quantities of clothing, mosquito-nets and bed sheets have also been destroyed.

Eye-witnesses also confirmed the death of 60 sheep and 50 goats, as a result of houses that collapsed on them.

The villages affected by the disaster are Njau Sey Kunda, Njau Woloff, Bantato Kerr Isaab, Bantanto Ker Waka, the Battis and Ker Galajo, all in the Upper Salum District.

Some of the displaced victims, most of them women and children are living in school classrooms, while others are sheltered by neighbours. The victims are currently struggling with acute shortage of food, clothing and shelter in all the affected villages.

The Governor of the region, Alhagi Gangie Touray, is appealing for immediate assistance in cash or kind from philanthropic organisations, the Disaster Management Agency, under the Vice-President’s Office, and other individuals who can assist to relieve the sufferings of the victims.