More
than one week after a tropical cyclone tore through the Puntland region
in Somalia, fears are emerging of an outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Kwame Darko, health delegate for the Somalia delegation of
the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC), said the cyclone caused serious damage to vital infrastructure.
“Many wells in the provinces of Eyl and Dangorayo collapsed during the
storm. There are also numerous dead livestock lying around. This has
contaminated the water sources for thousands of people,” he said. “We
need to ensure clean drinking water is made available for those affected
by the cyclone, otherwise there is a very strong chance we will start
seeing cases of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases.”
More than 100 people are confirmed dead, and hundreds more
are missing, after heavy flooding washed away roads, homesteads and
fishing boats, leaving entire villages submerged under contaminated
water. It is estimated that more than 80 per cent of livestock in the
areas were killed. Those that survived are showing signs of ill health.
The government has declared a state of emergency and appealed for
international assistance.
With many areas inaccessible, it has been challenging to
accurately assess the situation, however, as is the case following most
disasters, immediate needs remain shelter, food, clean water and health
care.
The Somalia Red Crescent Society has deployed two mobile
medical health teams to support the Ministry of Health and, together
with community volunteers, is providing various health care services,
including first aid, psychosocial support and hygiene promotion. The
National Society is also providing survivors with health care services
in three maternal and child health clinics in Eyl and Dogoyoro – two of
the most affected communities – as well as Qarhis.
“Over the course of three days, the intervention team
treated 757 people, most of them for skin-related diseases and acute
respiratory infections,” said Darko. “The team has also seen 14 cases of
malaria in the areas of Labiedaab and Dirwerane villages, and has had
to move in extra supplies as there was a shortage of materials available
to treat these patients.”
Twenty-two volunteers and staff have received training on
how to conduct assessments to determine the true nature of the current
situation, which will help shape the response in coming weeks. The
Somalia Red Crescent Society is receiving support from IFRC through the
release of more than 67,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief
Emergency Fund. The funds are being used to assist staff and volunteers
in conducting assessments, and to provide emergency supplies, health
care and water, initially, to 300 families in four highly affected
districts, as well as those not yet assisted in the most affected
‘triangle’ of Dongoyoro-Eyl-Bander Beyla.
Last weekend, a shipment of emergency supplies was airlifted into the Puntland region from IFRC’s warehouse in Nairobi.
“What is unfolding in Somalia is what we call a ‘silent’ disaster,”
said Darko. “It is smaller than a large scale disaster and casualties
are fewer. It also fails to capture the attention of the international
community. However, talk to those Somali families who no longer have a
home because of this cyclone, and they will tell you, this is not a
‘silent’ disaster. It is our responsibility to make their voices heard.”
- See more at:
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