Following devastating floods in east Ethiopia, the World Food Program (WFP) said on Saturday it is undertaking a rapid assessment and registration of survivors to determine the immediate food needs of an estimated 10,000 people left homeless by flash floods.

Thousands of people camped out in temporary shelters such as tents and schools, as rescue workers use bulldozers and digging equipment to clear mud and sand dumped in Dire Dawa town and the surrounding areas after the Dechatu River burst its banks last week.

Some 250 people are known to have died, but officials say the death toll is likely to rise because more than 300 people are still reported missing. The floods swept away houses, vehicles and animals and destroyed markets and shops.

"For now communities are safe, sheltered and offered medical assistance," said Abnezer Ngowi, WFP acting country director in Ethiopia.

"But the number of displaced people sheltering in schools is thousands, and we must remember that children who have been on holiday will need to return to their classrooms in a few weeks."

The WFP has been working closely with the Ethiopian government in the eastern town of Dire Dawa since Thursday to register men, women and children driven from their homes by the floods so that food can be properly distributed to those who need it most within the next few days.

The WFP is taking a leading role among UN agencies and non- government organizations in coordinating the delivery of relief assistance.

"Everyone appreciates the need to move quickly and to help people, many of whom have nothing but the clothes on their backs, in whatever way we can. The extensive flooding, destruction and subsequent loss of life has brought about what can only be described as a humanitarian disaster," Ngowi said.

Once the assessment and registration is completed, the survivors will receive a food ration consisting of cereals, vegetable oil, vitamin and mineral enriched blended food and salt to last one month. WFP food is already on the ground in Dire Dawa for distribution.

"We have deployed logistics officers, field monitors and staff from our offices in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa to assist our UN colleagues and the local administration in the relief effort," he said.

WFP's head office in Addis Ababa has established a task force to support and monitor the emergency operation in Dire Dawa, Ngowi added.

"The onus is really on the whole humanitarian community to act, and act speedily to settle the affected families in more permanent structures, but also to help the government in enhancing prevention and preparedness mechanisms to deal with flooding in the country," he said.

Floods are relatively common in eastern and southern Ethiopia during the rainy season between June and September when heavy rains in the highland areas flow unchecked into lower lying land.

Source: Xinhua