Tens of thousands affected by floods

Saturday, November 21, 2015

advertisements

Cumulatively, more than 132,000 people have been affected by floods in different parts of Somalia since 19 October. Nearly 42,000 of these were affected by tropical cyclones Chapala and Megh, according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation-Managed Somalia Land and Water Information Network (SWALIM).

Heavy rains triggered flooding in different parts of the country at the onset of the Deyr rains causing displacement, destruction of livelihoods and shelter. Humanitarian partners have projected that up to 500,000 to 900,000 people could be affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Of these, between 500,000 to 670,000 people could require life-saving assistance.

An estimated 60,000 people have been displaced as a result of flooding in Bakool, Bay, Hiraan, Lower and Middle Juba and Middle Shabelle regions, according to multiple sources including local authorities, partners, communities and the Protection and Return Monitoring Network (PRMN).

As the heavy rains continue, thousands of people in the low lying areas of the southern and central parts of Somalia remain at risk of flash and river flooding. In the areas where the water levels have receded some displaced people have returned. Humanitarian partners are distributing food, health, water and sanitation supplies in the areas severely affected.

The tropical cyclones Chapala and Megh which made a landfall in Yemen caused some damages in parts of coastal areas of Puntland and Somaliland. Characterized by strong winds and heavy rains, the cyclones caused more than three times the annual rainfall in some areas, according to SWALIM. The cyclones left livestock deaths and destruction of property in their wake, as well as infrastructure including roads, buildings and boats in Bari and Sanaag regions.

Humanitarian partners continue to scale up response. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) cluster has intensified hygiene promotion activities in Bardheere, Belet Weyne Buur Hakaba and Kismayo, which have been the most affected. This aims to minimize risk of water-related diseases including acute watery diarrhea/cholera and malaria.

Partners are conducting assessments to identify needs and to guide further response. While the rains have slowed down and the flood waters are receding, there remain high risks of flooding along the lower and middle reaches of Shabelle and lower reaches of River Juba.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online