The Disaster Management Agency in Somalia reports that floods have resulted in at least 96 deaths and displaced approximately 700,000 people.
The African country is facing a severe flood crisis exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern since early November 2023. The Somali government has declared a national emergency in response to this escalating situation.
The extensive flooding caused by the heavy Deyr rains of the October-December rainy season affected the regions of Hiraan, Bakool, Bay, and Gedo.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is highlighting the critical nature of the floods, which have impacted over 1.77 million individuals. Those affected have experienced significant losses, including homes, properties, livestock, and crops. The IRC is calling for urgent humanitarian aid as continuous rainfall threatens to worsen the situation. The flooding has also caused substantial damage to infrastructure and flooded vast agricultural areas.
UNICEF has reported that the floods have displaced more than 700,000 people, with as many as 1.6 million at risk if the rains continue. The agency has identified around 12 villages that are completely isolated, with current aid efforts falling short of the necessary support. Additionally, there is a significant funding shortage for the Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan, which is only 26% funded, affecting crucial water and sanitation initiatives.
The IRC is actively supporting affected communities, especially in camps for internally displaced persons. They are focusing on reinforcing riverbanks and providing essential items in the hardest-hit locations like Baidoa, Galkacyo, Bardhere, and Beledweyne, including shelter, non-food items, and financial aid.
Al Jazeera reports that the Horn of Africa is particularly prone to climate change impacts. Recently emerging from a severe drought, the region now confronts these intense floods, marking a new environmental challenge. Humanitarian groups are warning that the situation could deteriorate further without immediate global intervention, as the El Niño effect is expected to continue influencing weather patterns until at least April 2024.
