Worst floods in Benin in 50 years

Last month, heavy rains flooded parts of west and central Africa. Benin was among the worst hit. The Ouémé river spilled its banks. These images show the coast of Benin on 22 October 2010 (left) and 26 October 2009 (right). Although clouds partially obscure the view, striking differences are still discernible. The river and its tributaries are swollen in the more recent image Photograph: Terra/MODIS/NASA

A woman in Kodonou village in Benin uses a boat to get around Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

Floodwaters leave a trail of destruction in Kopto village Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

Homes near rivers and lakes have been submerged in up to two metres of water Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

The village chief of Kopto says there is nowhere to go for shelter Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

The floods have brought diseases. According to Care International, there have been more than 800 reported cases of cholera resulting in seven deaths so far Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

Women carry emergency supplies for their families Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

The overflow from public toilets caused by the heavy rains sends human waste into water used for drinking, cooking and bathing, heightening the risk of waterborne disease Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

Organisations like Care International are responding to the crisis with funding from the UK's Department for International Development's West Africa humanitarian response fund. Care is handing out supplies of drinking water, hygiene kits, shelter, mosquito nets, cooking kits and emergency food at aid stations
Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/Care

People affected by the floods watch a demonstration on how to use hygiene kits being distributed by Care at an aid distribution point in Kodonou village Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

Nouessewa Houssou, 50, and her eight children are sleeping in a crowded school along with 40 other families Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

A boy stands by his new insecticide-treated bednet to keep mosquitos away and prevent malaria Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE

Children in Kopto village, where floodwaters have now receded, pose for the camera Photograph: Loetitia Raymond/CARE