UNITED NATIONS - More than a quarter of Bulgaria's 7.4 million people have been touched by flooding that has killed 20 and caused some $633 million in damage, the United Nations said on Thursday.
Following more heavy rainfall last weekend, a state of emergency remained in force in 15 cities and unfavorable weather conditions were expected to continue in some parts of the country, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. The office has been helping coordinate the international response to the emergency.
Nearly all arable land has been destroyed in five regions including around the capital Sofia, it said.
Bulgaria and neighboring countries have been swept for weeks by torrential rains.
Bulgaria's response has been hampered by the absence of a government following inconclusive elections in June. But a new center-left cabinet started work on Wednesday, ending the political stalemate.
While flooded roads and collapsed bridges have made it difficult to assess needs, preventing the possible spread of disease was a major concern and priority items included food and bedding for 20,000 people, hepatitis vaccine, antibiotics, insect repellent and motor pumps, the office said.
Austria, the Czech Republic, Moldova, Switzerland, Britain and the United States were among those providing emergency aid. The UN Development Program and the UN Children's Fund UNICEF were also helping out with cash, blankets, water purification equipment and other household items, the UN office said.
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