Hiiraan Online
Tuesday May 22, 2018
Eng. Yarisow assessing the damage done by floods in the Hamer-Weyne neighborhood of Mogadishu on May 21, 2018. PHOTO: Radio Muqdisho
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Banadir, Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow) has said on Monday that the heavy rains that have pounded the capital over the past two days have resulted in a financial loss of at least $US 35 million.
The mayor anticipates that the dollar value may rise as city officials continue to do assessments in and around Mogadishu.
In addition to the damage to infrastructure and homes, Eng. Yarisow added that there is a growing humanitarian crisis as crestfallen residents in some of the worst-hit district's search for food and medical supplies. He said that his administration is struggling to cope with the heavy rains and subsequent flooding that has led to the deaths of at least 6 people - three of them children under 12 -.
Mogadishu officials have counted at least 301 houses have collapsed or been destroyed and many of the capital’s main roads are still severely flooded.
Eng. Yarisow warned that heavy rains have drastically worsened the situation for residents living in Mogadishu’s IDP camps, adding that some people have been evacuated.
People living in IDP camps often have limited access to proper hygiene facilities, and thus increase the risk of a cholera outbreak and other water-borne diseases.
The mayor called on aid agencies and Mogadishu’s residents to lend a helping hand to those who are in dire need assistance.
"I call on aid agencies and the general public who have access to emergency food and medical supplies to assist those affected. “
The mayor thanked the people of the capital and the army for their role in the emergency response effort.
Light showers and thunderstorms are in the weather service’s forecast through Tuesday night.