MRS Suzanne Mubarak, chairwoman of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), held a meeting to discuss ways of dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Aswan, North and South Sinai, following severe flash floods which killed 11 people and left thousands homeless. Reem Leila reports. At ERC headquarters Mrs Mubarak held a two-hour meeting with leaders of the executive committee of the ERC and ministers of social solidarity, housing and local development. The meeting followed up efforts being made for the flood victims. "The meeting seeks a comprehensive plan to support families affected by the floods and coordination between government and non- governmental efforts to increase the benefits to them," Mrs Mubarak said. Minister of Local Development Abdel-Salam El-Mahgoub said last month's flooding destroyed 1,142 houses while 2,336 were partially damaged. "More than 20,000 families were made homeless and are currently living in temporary shelters," El-Mahgoub stated. Minister of Social Solidarity Ali Meselhi said that immediately after the floods the ministry, along with the ERC and NGOs, provided financial assistance to the victims. "We have counted the losses -- 247 workshops, 383 farms and more than 30,000 fruit trees ruined and 5,000 cattle dead," Meselhi said. During the meeting, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development Ahmed El-Maghrabi said the ministry has already determined where new houses are to be built for flood victims. "Most houses which partially collapsed have been restored. The ERC, along with businessmen and charity NGOs, will help furnish the new homes," El-Maghrabi said. The ERC has sent 50 tons of aid to Aswan and North and South Sinai. The assistance is in the form of clothes, cooking utensils, household appliances, dried food, blankets, beds and mattresses.
