http://www.english.hadhramaut.info UN: Kenya among most vulnerable from floods [The Source: www.nation.co.ke/News/- - 18/10/2009] Kenya is among seven African countries that are most at risk of flash floods following the anticipated El Niño rains, an international Humanitarian agency warned on Sunday. According to a report -Horn of Africa Alert released by the United Nations said the country is among the vulnerable communities in the Horn of Africa, in the midst of one of the worst droughts in a decade, are bracing for yet another potential huge challenge in coming months: floods triggered by the climatic phenomenon El Niño and associated mudslides, crop destruction, water-borne diseases and disrupted road networks.Other countries mentioned in the report are Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia .In a statement, the UN said 23 million people would be adversely affected by the effects of the rains.“More than 23 million people in pastoral, agricultural and sub-urban communities--as well internally displaced people and refugees in the region--are reeling from the impact of water and food shortages, pasture scarcity, conflict and insecurity. We continue to need massive help to deal with this. An additional shock in this intersection of human vulnerabilities would be devastating,” said United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes.This comes a week after the meteorological department issued a similar warning that the rains could cause havoc throughout the country.In a press brief posted in the Meteorological Department’s website last week, while warning of the serious threat posed by the rains, its director, Dr Joseph Mukhabana, however urged both farmers and the ministry of Agriculture to work closely to maximise on the rains which he believes can greatly mitigate the current grave food situation in the country.When the country experienced El Nino rains in 1997, the downpour left in its wake a trail of destruction through floods and landslides.According to UN, in Kenya, some 750,000 persons could be affected by floods and mudslides.Of these, 150,000 are internal refugees who could be forced to relocate to higher ground.The internally displaced people still in camps in various parts of the country have expressed fears that they could be at risk of contracting contagious diseases due to the onset of heavy rains.In Somalia, some 450,000 persons in the Juba and Shabelle river basins could be affected. Uganda has elaborated flood contingency and evacuation plans, and UNICEF is preparing to give immediate support to 25,000 persons. In Tanzania, an estimated 50,000 persons could be directly affected if flood patterns mirror those of 2006-2007.Potentially flood affected people in Djibouti might be exposed to new water-borne diseases or experience a deterioration of the ongoing cholera outbreak.Although the humanitarian community is undertaking flood contingency planning, funding and humanitarian access remain the most significant constraints.The big problem of the Horn for now remains the drought. In some drought-affected areas, enhanced El Niño rains will be welcomed as pasture will regenerate and water reserves will be replenished. However, even with this help, it is not expected that the widespread food insecurity in the region will show signs of improving until the harvesting season in early 2010.