Aid agencies seek urgent humanitarian aid for flood-hit Somalis
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, November 12, 2020
MOGADISHU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Humanitarian workers and Somali authorities have appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance to help thousands of people displaced by floods due to heavy rains pounding several parts of the Horn of African nation.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said urgent assistance is required to enable aid workers and local authorities to provide clean drinking water, emergency shelter, food and logistics support to drain the stagnant water that risks disease outbreaks.
"The number of people affected by the Deyr season (October-December) flash floods has increased to nearly 73,000 (since October), including more than 13,000 displaced and four suspected deaths," OCHA said in its latest Update on floods.
The UN agency said at least five states, including Banadir, Jubaland, Hirshabelle, Galmudug and South West have been affected and have continued to report extensive damage to infrastructure and farmland.
In South West State, overflowing water from River Shabelle has reportedly inundated six villages in Afgooye area, affecting 8,000 people, of whom 3,500 are displaced.
According to OCHA, destruction and damage of key infrastructure, including roads and residential areas, has been reported in multiple locations.
Heavy rains on Nov. 6 caused flash flooding and landslides in Goofgaduud Buurey, 30km north of Baidoa, Bay region where two houses were destroyed and more than 50 people temporarily displaced to higher ground in the village.
On Oct. 28, OCHA said some 35 people have died while nearly 1.6 million others have been affected by flooding between January and September.
OCHA said that some 716,000 people have been displaced while farmland and infrastructure have been destroyed, increasing the risk of water-borne diseases.
According to the UN, the 2020 Deyr rainy season has started with moderate to significantly heavy rains reported in Puntland and central regions of Hiraan, Bakool, Galgaduud, Mudug, Nugaal and southern areas of Sool region.
It said vulnerable communities due to persistent climatic shocks, locust infestation and the COVID-19 pandemic, are already facing severe food and water scarcity and are at risk of deadly communicable diseases such as cholera outbreak and acute watery diarrhea. Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)