Somalia Flood Response Plan From UN and Partners Bafflingly Unleashed!

On Tuesday May 16, 2023, a catastrophic event occurred that left the local people of Beledweyne, central Somalia wading through floodwaters after a river had unexpectedly burst. This event caused widespread destruction and devastation, and critically affected over 460,000 individuals, with close to 219,000 displaced.

Reacting with urgency, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) worked hand-in-hand with the authorities to launch a national flood preparedness and response plan. This plan aims to adequately support and provide the necessary aid required by the affected people.

As the humanitarian team prepares to launch a rapid needs assessment together with its partners, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have already taken the lead. They have sent early-warning text messages to 5,000 farmers in Hirshabelle State, where the Shabelle River overflowed its banks, forcing thousands of people to higher ground.

To ease the situation on the ground, the FAO provided sandbags, shovels, and other supplies to help clear drains and mitigate flooding in Hirshabelle, while WFP sent 17 tons of high-energy biscuits and boats to reach people in flooded areas.

However, despite the efforts made toward the quick resolution of the issues, the impact of continued heavy rains in Ethiopia and Somalia can significantly increase, affecting the lives of up to 1.6 million people, with more than 600,000 displaced. Additionally, the rains increase the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

As a matter of fact, the catastrophic destruction caused by the flood means the humanitarian response plan for Somalia, which initially requested 2.6 billion U.S. dollars, is only 25 percent funded. Therefore, more resources are needed to address the alarming situation.