Red Cross raises the alarm over a “Triple Menace”

In East Africa, COVID 19, floods and locusts a series of mutually exacerbating disasters unfold. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also warned that this tragedy has not been seen in decades.

Red Cross teams are hurrying in the affected countries to respond to multifaceted and overlapping crises. The “triple threat” is unfolding in East Africa in a series of disasters that worsen each other.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned that this tragedy has not been seen in decades. The ongoing heavy rain – killing nearly 300 people and displacing some 500,000 people – slowed down operations

Dr Simon Missiri, IFRC’s Regional Director for Africa said: “The ongoing flooding crisis is exacerbating other threats caused by COVID-19 and the invasion of locusts.

Travel and movement restrictions meant to slow down the spread of COVID-19 are hampering efforts to combat swarms of locusts that are ravaging crops. Flooding is also a ‘threat amplifier’ with regards to the spread of COVID-19 as it makes it hard to implement preventive measures.”

Data source: CNN News and News Agencies