Reports from the Democratic Republic of Congo say seven thousand people have been made homeless by the flooding affecting the northeastern city of Kisangani.

The Public Health Minister, Jean-Baptiste Sondji, warned that the flooding was creating a diarrhoea epidemic.

The city has been declared a disaster zone after the river Congo -- which runs close to the city -- burst its banks last Sunday.

Latest reports say the flood waters have begun to subside.

The United Nations and other agencies have been flying in medicine, canvas sheeting and water-treatment equipment.

The city remains without clean water and electricity and the provincial authorities have appealed to the business community to help displaced people.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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