By NNN-Bernama
Melbourne : The Australian government will contribute 1.5 million Australian dollars (one USD= about 1.15 AUD) towards relief efforts in parts of Africa which have been devastated by floods.
The Red Cross has warned that a massive aid effort is needed to cope with floods in 18 countries across Africa which have affected at least 1.5 million people and killed almost 300.
The Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Greg Hunt, said over the weekened that Australia would contribute to global efforts to ease the impact of the floods, which have destroyed homes, farmland and infrastructure.
“We are extremely concerned by the loss of life and devastation caused by flooding which has spread across West, Central and East Africa,” Hunt said in a statement.
“We are supporting Australian and international aid agencies which are seeking urgent assistance to help the many people left homeless and who are at risk of disease.”
Australia would provide up to one million AUD to Australian aid agencies to provide essential non-food items such as shelter and blankets, and water and sanitation and health-related projects, Hunt said.
Australia will donate a further 500,000 AUD to the World Food Programme for food aid to Ghana.