Somali Authorities and humanitarian partners have said that deadly torrential rains and floods have affected more than two million people in several areas of Somalia, with over 100 killed and 750,000 displaced from their homes.
George Conway, UN Deputy Special Representative and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said that recurrent climate shocks, widespread insecurity and rampant poverty have also pushed the people of Somalia to the breaking point.
The ongoing heavy rains and floods are expected to swamp at least 1.5 million hectares of farmland through December with thousands of people said to have been cut off from markets and supplies, or marooned in isolated villages.
According to reports, roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been extensively damaged while vital facilities such as hospitals and schools have been closed, and the risk of cholera has increased. Nimo Hassan, Director of the Somali NGO Consortium, described the devastation as heartbreaking.
Read also: Guterres says calls for urgent action as humanity’s fate hangs in the balance
“The floods have reinforced the urgent need for sustainable solutions and disaster preparedness,” he added.
So far, the Somali authorities and partners have reached roughly 820,000 affected people with assistance but needs are rapidly rising as the flooding expands around the country.
“The priority right now is to rescue stranded families and provide immediate humanitarian relief to the victims,” said Mahamud Moallim, Commissioner of Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency.
Moallin added that rhe situation is unfolding as millions of Somalis continue to battle hunger and malnutrition, with an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of five facing acute malnutrition between August and next July.
Humanitarians warn that they will not be able to meet current and emerging needs without additional resources. A $2.6 billion plan to support 7.6 million people this year is only 42 per cent funded.
Story was adapted from UN News.
