<p><strong>CARE International</strong> has launched an emergency response to help families suffering through the devastating flooding that has affected more than <strong>half of Benin</strong>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>680,000 people</strong> have suffered as a result of the floods, with <strong>51 out of 77</strong> regions in the country affected. &ldquo;All the elders agree they have never seen such flooding,&rdquo; said Rotimy Djossaya, Country Director of CARE Benin.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Zones that were previously not considered vulnerable to flooding have been devastated, like the village of Kopto (in the centre of the country), which was completely wiped out.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Homeless people have taken refuge in health centres, paralyzing access to medical care and increasing a potential outbreak of water-borne disease. Latrines are flooded, sending human waste into water used for drinking, cooking and bathing, and people have little or no access to safe drinking water.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>CARE</strong> is distributing food, water purification tablets, soap, and mosquito nets, and is holding hygiene education sessions for more than <strong>10,000 people</strong>. CARE is also arranging for medical care for <strong>10,000 children</strong> under five and <strong>2,000 pregnant women</strong> affected by malaria.&nbsp;</p> <div></div> <strong> <div></div> </strong></p>