Mogadishu (AX) — Since mid-April, heavy rains and flash floods have swept through parts of Somalia, impacting over 45,000 individuals and tragically claiming at least four lives. This unsettling news comes from a recent situation report released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). As we delve into the details of this situation, it’s essential to reflect on the resilience of Somalia’s communities, even in the face of such overwhelming adversity.
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The report, issued on April 30, sheds light on the heartbreaking loss of two children and a woman in the Iskushuban district of the Bari region. Additionally, a 12-year-old girl lost her life in Baidoa. These stories are not just statistics; they represent the profound grief and disruption that floods have wreaked in the lives of families. It’s easy to ignore numbers, but what happens when those numbers become faces and names in a community? Who hasn’t felt the sharp sting of loss, or witnessed the heartache it brings?
Among the worst-hit regions is Northeastern State, particularly the Bari and Nugaal areas. These regions, known for their vibrant cultures and rich history, have now become synonymous with devastation and disruption. The natural beauty of the landscape, once a source of pride, now lies under torrents of water. It raises a pressing question: How do communities that have endured years of hardship respond when Mother Nature strikes again?
In Hirshabelle State, the situation worsened when the Shabelle River overflowed its banks on April 28 in the Jowhar district. This catastrophic event triggered severe flooding, displacing approximately 6,120 residents across five villages. Imagine walking away from your home with nothing but the clothes on your back, as waters rise around you—this is the stark reality for many families in the region. The flooding submerged an estimated 11,000 hectares of farmland across Gaafaay, Muryaale, Beeyxaaw, IJI, and Nuurkaay, causing immense damage to homes and crops in one of Somalia’s most agriculturally productive areas.
Those who could escape to higher ground now find themselves sheltering in makeshift camps, facing acute shortages of food, clean water, and medical care. The fragility of their situation is profound; every day must feel like a fight for survival. What must it be like to watch your hopes for a bountiful harvest vanish under murky water? In the heart of such tribulations lies a community’s unyielding spirit, a desire to rebuild even in a landscape of despair.
Meanwhile, in Galmudug State, flash floods on April 29 inundated parts of Gaalkacyo town, affecting over 9,570 internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in 14 camps throughout the city. The rains, while welcome after a prolonged six-month drought, have introduced a paradox: they replenish vital water sources and pastureland yet exacerbate the vulnerabilities faced by populations already living on the edge. How can one find solace in precipitation that also brings destruction? It’s a stark reminder of nature’s duality.
As we look to the future, it’s worth noting that the Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) project, managed by the FAO, forecasts light to moderate rainfall over south-central Somalia. However, dry conditions are expected in North Western State of Somalia and Northeastern State. River levels along the Shabelle are predicted to rise moderately, yet they are expected to remain below natural flood thresholds. Still, as the floods taught us, human-induced flooding remains a pressing concern, particularly downstream of Jowhar. And while the Juba River is expected to fluctuate, it projects to stay below flood risk levels. But will this be enough?
Despite the growing needs evidenced by these humanitarian crises, Somalia’s 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 10 percent funded as of April 30. The numbers are shocking and demand our attention. OCHA is urgently calling on its partners to ramp up emergency support—specifically targeting shelter, sanitation, and relocation assistance for communities grappling with the harsh realities of displacement and destruction.
So, as we reflect on these harrowing yet hopeful tales, let’s ask ourselves: What can we do, even from afar, to support those in need? How can we contribute to rebuilding lives and ensuring that resilience prevails? The answers may not be straightforward, but every effort counts in the fight for a sustainable future. After all, amidst the challenges, there is an undeniable strength woven into the fabric of Somalia’s communities—a strength we must honor and uplift.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
