GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Flooding in central and West Africa has affected more than 1.8 million people, killing nearly 400, a United Nations agency said Tuesday.
Elisabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told reporters in Geneva, Switzerland, most of the devastation has taken place in West Africa, where more than 1.6 million people have been affected and 307 have lost their lives.
The nation of Benin has been hardest hit by the floods, with over 700,000 people affected, she said.
Nearly 230,000 have been affected in central Africa, where 90 people have lost their lives.
In addition to the floods, more than 52,000 cases of cholera have been reported in the two regions since June, the World Health Organization said.
The World Food Program is preparing to reach 385,000 people with food aid during a two-month period. Distributions have started in some areas, with 200,000 people receiving food baskets.
