WIREDGOV

More than half of the West African state of Benin (a country almost half the size of the UK) is now underwater following some of the worst flooding in memorable history. UNICEF is urgently responding to prevent malnutrition and the spread of water-related diseases.

Flood waters, from heavy rainfall which started in September, have reached 51 of 77 communes affecting more than 358,000 people including 186,000 women and 64,000 children under the age of five. Up to 104,588 people have been displaced. The number of homeless is 97,815. The floods also destroyed 55,575 houses, 276 schools and 92 health centres. Cholera has already affected 800 people in the country with seven deaths reported.

In order to prevent water-related diseases, UNICEF has provided 262,000 water purification tablets, 15 water tanks, 100 rolls of tents, 250 latrines backs and 1000 water containers of 10 liters, 20 containers of hypochlorite of calcium as well as  fuel to help the supply of safe water in Cotonou, the main city and  Seme Podji.

In the field of nutrition, UNICEF provided 116 boxes of therapeutic milk and 1545 boxes of Plumpy'Nut to treat acute malnutrition.

In order to get children back to school, classes have been transferred to other buildings such as churches and leisure centres temporarily replacing the 276 schools that have been destroyed by the floods. UNICEF has provided student school kits (notebooks, pens, pencils).

The government, NGOs, and other members of the UN Country Team have provided food, bed nets, water purification tablets, and tents.

A Crisis Management Unit, chaired by the Minister of Interior and Public Security was established and is functional. It encompasses all UN agencies, and NGOs involved in the response namely the Red Cross, Caritas, Plan Bénin and Catholic Relief Service (CRS).

The UN is appealing for £5.5m to help Benin in the areas of emergency water, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, health, and education. It will soon be issuing a Flash Appeal detailing the needs of each sector.

• Please donate to our Children's Emergency Fund to help children affected by natural disasters around the world.