Monday May 6, 2024
FILE - Displaced Somalis vacate their camps after heavy floods entered their makeshift shelter in Mogadishu, Somalia, November 13, 2023. © 2023 AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia is grappling with severe flooding and displacement as a result of the ongoing Gu rains, impacting over 163,400 individuals and displacing at least 37,120, according to the latest report by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The seasonal rains have particularly devastated Hirshabelle, Jubaland, and South West states, disrupting life for thousands and stretching the capabilities of response teams.
In response to the escalating situation, Somalia's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has issued a warning about dangerously high water levels in the Shabelle River near Beledweyne, which threatens to overflow. The Ministry has urged residents in the vicinity of the river and other water bodies to stay away, in an effort to mitigate the risks posed by flooding.
Infrastructure has suffered extensively across affected regions: roads, bridges, and schools have been damaged, and significant agricultural losses are reported due to inundated fields. Notably, the main road between Garowe and Bosaso in Puntland is severely damaged, impacting transport and aid delivery efforts. Additionally, damaged sanitation facilities have raised concerns over potential cholera outbreaks, adding to the urgency for international support.
The disaster has prompted widespread calls for urgent multi-sectoral assistance, encompassing food, water, shelter, and health services. Communities and authorities are particularly emphasizing the need for water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies to prevent disease spread among the displaced populations.
Despite the critical situation, funding remains a significant challenge. The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Somalia, which is crucial for addressing these issues, is only 11% funded, with a total need of $1.6 billion. As the rains are expected to persist, the call for increased international aid and funding is urgent to scale up response efforts and provide necessary relief to the affected communities.
OCHA and partner organizations have reached over 72,000 people with some form of assistance so far, but the scale of the crisis demands much more.