Brussels - The European Union has released 1.5 million euros (1.8 million dollars) in emergency aid to help families affected by a deadly dam burst in Kenya, the bloc announced on Saturday.

European aid to Kenya

At least 45 people were killed after the privately owned Patel Dam north-west of Nairobi burst on Wednesday. The incident occurred as heavy rains have caused flooding across the country, killing around 170 people in addition to those affected by the dam burst.

"The European Union is saddened by the loss of life in Kenya from the dam burst in Solai and from extreme flooding in different parts of the country," said EU aid commissioner Christos Stylianides.

The funds will help cover basic needs such as emergency shelter, food, drinking water, healthcare and the repair of damaged water and sanitation facilities, the commission said in a statement.

Neighboring countries have been affected by the flooding

At least 40 countries have been affected by the flooding, which has also displaced more than 300,000 people, the commission wrote. The flooding is likely to continue, as heavy rainfall is forecast for the coming weeks.