YAOUNDE, Aug. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- International organizations are providing emergency assistance to citizens of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, where the number of refugees has surged because of incessant heavy rains, a UN official said Sunday.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) provided refugees there with anti-malaria and other drugs while the UN Children's Fund offered supplies such as kerosene lamp and water purifier, reportsfrom Bangui quoted Joseph Foumbi, UN coordinator in the country, as saying.

    Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provided aid worth 21 million African francs (about 39,700 US dollars). Some non-governmental organizations have also given relief supplies and funds to the refugees.

    According to a Red Cross official, heavy rains beginning early this month in Bangui have killed at least one person, injured morethan 10 others, damaged 3,500 houses and made some 22,500 people homeless.

    There are fears that the flood water could spread such infectious diseases as cholera in the city of 600,000 people as there are many open latrines and drainage is poor in Bangui, said the official. Enditem