An update from the National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) recounts that Somalia is grappling with a rising death toll of 96 and affecting a staggering 2 million people due to heavy rains and floods. SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moalim revealed these distressing figures during a briefing to Cabinet ministers in the capital, Mogadishu, on Thursday.
The heavily impacted regions include the south-central state of Hirshabelle, as well as Southwest and Jubaland states, according to Moalim. Jubaland, in particular, reported that 954,255 people have been affected, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance.
Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy for Jubaland state, Ahmed Hassan Omar, expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that the numbers are expected to rise as rains persist and river levels surge. He highlighted the crucial requirement for immediate support in heavily affected districts, pointing out that roads and airstrips are cut off due to the floods.
“The affected areas desperately need food, shelter, medicine, and boats for evacuation in isolated regions,” Minister Omar urged.
The floods have not only claimed lives and displaced communities but also pose a severe threat to agriculture. Heavy rainfall is anticipated to impact up to 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of farmland, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In response to the escalating situation, the Somali government has declared a “national humanitarian emergency.” The urgency of the matter prompted a call for increased support from the Somali community and aid agencies. The government specifically called for a scaling up of efforts to assist those affected by the El Nino-induced floods.
As Somalia faces this crisis, aid agencies point out that the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia remains significantly underfunded at 39%, demanding immediate action to bridge the financial gap. Unveiled in February by the United Nations, humanitarian partners, and the Somali government, the plan seeks over $2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people.
In a positive development, the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) extended a helping hand by delivering humanitarian aid to SoDMA in Mogadishu. The assistance included essential items such as food packages, mosquito nets, and tents, aimed at providing relief to families displaced by the ongoing floods.
