MOGADISH, Somalia – At least 17 people have been killed and more than 84,000 have been evacuated by flash floods following heavy rains across Somalia since mid-April, the UN Rescue Agency said Tuesday.
The UN Humanitarian Agency (OCHA) Coordination Agency said assessments conducted by disaster management personnel revealed widespread damage to infrastructure and the urgent need for assistance to those affected.
“Partners have stepped up support in affected areas, including food, shelter items, hygiene kits and cash assistance,” OCHA said in its latest flash update released in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.
Heavy rains in the Banazir area on May 9 killed nine people, affected at least 24,600 people, damaged some districts’ major infrastructure and caused catastrophic flash floods that wiped out shelters.
Light to Heavy GU (April to June) Seasonal rain has caused localized flooding in several parts of the country since mid-April. The UN agency said the Somali government has established a committee that includes federal ministers and regional authorities to respond to the flood crisis.
Somalia, a country where nearly two-thirds of its population relies on agriculture for its livelihood, has experienced extreme climate shocks in the past.
According to a UN agency, the floods damaged major infrastructure and paralyzed public transport in some parts of the country.
“In a positive note, rain has significantly improved the availability of water and pastures in many areas, supporting ongoing agricultural activities and pastoralism, thereby reducing the effects of recent long-term aridity,” Ocha added.
