Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast, began to recover on Wednesday (19 June) after three days and nights of non-stop torrential rain. The city's streets were awash, traffic was virtually brought to a standstill, and many homes were destroyed and sporting fixtures were cancelled as football fields wallowed in ankle-deep rain-water.

But -- in the interior of the country -- the drought, which has crippled West Africa and other countries in the Sahel region for six years, continues its unrelenting grip.

In Abidjan itself, some 60,000 tons of food have piled up at the port awaiting trans-shipment to the worst hit drought areas in nearby Mali and Upper Volta. The railways can only transport 10,000 tons a month and efforts are being made to carry the much-needed food by road. But the recent rains have washed away reads around the capital, hampering road transport.

Ivory Coast was due to play two friendly games against the Liberian football and basketball teams. Both had to be cancelled on 19 June because the pitches were waterlogged.