Somalia’s main rainy season (Gu) began in mid March. While bringing relief to dry conditions, the intense rains have led to flooding, crop damage and displacements. Flash floods were reported in Baidoa and Jowhar and strong rains in the Ethiopian highlands led to increased water levels along the Juba and Shabelle rivers. River embankment openings and breakages have led to localized flooding. The most affected areas include parts of Middle and Lower Shabelle and Bay region.

Situation Overview

1. Consolidated and Flash appeals in the MENA region received US$ 674 million. The largest recipient was Syria, with US$339 million, followed by Yemen with US$196 million. In total, the appeals are 31.4% funded with a sho rtfall of 68.6%.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A 7.8 earthquake hit South-Eastern Iran on 16 April, close to the border with Pakistan. The impact was felt in both countries, with 14 people killed, 73 injured and two missing.

• New and worsening humanitarian crises since 2011 have led to a considerable increase in CERF allocations to the MENA region. The largest recipients have been Pakistan, Syria and Yemen.

Increasing numbers of migrants who travel through Yemen en route from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf are suffering severe abuse and exploitation. Tens of thousands are stranded at the Saudi border. Humanitarian agencies are supporting them but funding shortages threaten to cut off this lifeline.

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Highlights:

HIGHLIGHTS

• Humanitarian actors are balancing their response efforts with promoting emergency preparedness in the MENA region.

• Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) and other common appeals have been revised to reflect changes in humanitarian needs in 2013.
There are revised appeals for Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria and Yemen, totalling US$ 2.1 billion and targeting 24.8 million people in need.

Syrian Arab Republic: Armed conflict is causing large scale displacement and severely affecting people's safety and livelihoods.

Libya: Residual humanitarian needs mainly relate to internal displacement. The most vulnerable are those living in IDP settlements and camps, which are located in Tripoli, Benghazi and in the surrounds of Sirte, Misrata, Tarhouna and Dirj.

Iraq: Insecurity and protracted displacement continues to create significant humanitarian needs for many Iraqis.

Adam Abdul Haji, 19, left his home town of Jimma in Ethiopia with a group of friends to find work in Saudi Arabia. That dream came to an abrupt end when he was seriously injured in a car accident in Yemen and abandoned by the side of the road.

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