Hassan Istiila
Monday November 6, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Over ten people, including children, have died in Somalia's flash floods over the last week, according to the Somali government.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, who visited the headquarters of the Somali National Disaster Management Agency (SODMA) in Mogadishu on Sunday, has called on the Somali people to support those affected by the floods triggered by El Nino rains, as their lives and property are at risk.
The floods, triggered by the swelling of the Jubba River, have severely impacted several districts in Jubbaland State, including Dolow, Bardhere, Garbaharey, Luq, Burdhubo, and Jamame.
"I am sharing with the Somali community the impact of the floods and heavy rains affecting various regions of the country. According to the information we have, the death toll is approximately ten people," Jama reported.
Puntland regional state has confirmed that three civilians lost their lives in heavy rain that fell in Galkayo town a day ago, and the state has expressed concern that the actual death toll could be even higher.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that since the onset of the 2023 seasonal deyr (October to December) rains, floods have affected at least 405,652 people, with most casualties occurring in four federal member states.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama stressed that the federal government is actively working to assist those impacted by the floods and heavy rains.
The floods come after the worst drought in four decades following five failed rainy seasons, which has decimated livestock and crops, pushing the country to the brink of famine.