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Media Statement, 10th August 2007
GOAL, the international humanitarian organisation, was pleased this weekend to take receipt of the first airlift of Irish Aid relief supplies from the new United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Brindisi, Italy.
The consignment, which consisted of 3,000 tarpaulins for use as temporary shelters and over 2,200 mosquito nets, were delivered to GOAL’s operation centre in Kassala, eastern Sudan to help alleviate the affects of massive flooding in that region.
Abnormally heave and early rainfall in Sudan since the end of June has caused the Nile River and other seasonal rivers to overflow, resulting in extensive flooding. Scores of people have died and some 335,000 people have been rendered homeless, according to government figures.
John O’Shea, GOAL’s CEO, said that he was delighted with the response from the DFA. “We are extremely grateful to Irish Aid for their level of support in this tragic situation. They recognised that urgency is a priority and together we should be able to alleviate the suffering of many thousands.”
For Further information, contact:
Jonathan Edgar, GOAL Senior Manager: 087 6347993
Notes for Editors: The heaviest rainfall in eastern Sudan normally takes place in mid-August so the flooding is expected to worsen. The World Health Organisation believes that disease epidemics resulting form the flooding could cause many more deaths.
Added to the provision of emergency shelter, water and sanitation needs, GOAL’s emergency programme volunteers are involved in health, hygiene and safety promotion, including preventative health campaigns in malaria and cholera, two of the most prevalent water-borne diseases.
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