On 1st September 2009, over 263 mm of rain fell within 12 hours in Burkina Faso, which was about one third of the average annual rainfall of 800-900 mm. The resuting floods affected over 150,000 people, with 46 deaths and 63 injured, in 11 out of 13 regions of the country.
In the aftermath of floods, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was undertaken by the Government of Burkina Faso with the support of the World Bank and the UNDP. This PDNA was funded by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) with financial support from the European Commission and the governments of Australia, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.
The assessment estimated total damage at USD 102 millions, primarily on the public infrastructure (roads, dams, health facilities) and losses at USD 33 millions, primarily in private sector. The assessment revealed that the worst impact was on the production sector, followed by the sectors of infrastructure and social services. A decline of 46% of the added value in production was expected, 29% in infrastructure and 25% in social services. The assessment also classified regions from the most affected to the least affected as follows: the Central Region, the Mouhoun Region, the Eastern Region, the Central-Eastern Region, the Southwest Region, the Central-Northern Region, the Central-Southern Region, the Sahel Region, the Central Plateau Region and finally the Cascades Region.
Total needs for recovery and reconstruction were estimated at USD 266 millions. Major recommendations concerning recovery included actions in the sectors of agriculture, cattle breeding, fishing, trade, industry, housing, urbanization and potable water and sanitation. Reconstruction activities were suggested in the areas of transport, housing, urban development, hydro-agricultural dams, drainage and health.