As an integral part of the Bridges of Hope family, we want to extend our appreciation for your support. Together, we focus on empowering indigenous leadership to take control over their own destiny. Our aim has always been to provide a needed hand-up instead of a handout. However, in certain situations, natural catastrophe affects regions where we work. These are clearly instances where forces beyond the control of locals conspire to rob them of opportunity.
Such a situation has recently affected vast parts of West Africa.
Torrential flooding in the region has led to outbreaks in preventable diseases, such as diarrhoea and malaria.
The flooding began in June and has already claimed 160 lives and has caused problems for over 600,000 people. Within Burkina Faso alone, some 150,000 people have been affected by the flooding and up to 50,000 are seeking refuge in buildings such as churches, schools and other public buildings.
As you are aware, Bridges of Hope operates several major projects in Burkina Faso. It has also been noted that the flooding is particularly affecting those with limited health care facilities. Mothers and children will be especially vulnerable to ill health in these conditions. It has already been noted by WHO that in Burkina Faso's capital of Ouagadougou, 12 dialysis machines in the central hospital have been forced off-line, leaving these patients at severe risk.
The downpours have also adversely affected crops and critical infrastructure in this country, as well as others throughout West Africa.
Bridges of Hope would like to reach out to the indigenous communities to help them deal with this humanitarian catastrophe.
We encourage you to connect with Bridges of Hope to make the future brighter for the children and families in Burkina Faso.
Sincerely,
The Bridges of Hope Team
