Somalia: Floods - Oct 2023

Preliminary reports by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, South West State and humanitarian partners, estimate that nearly 107,000 people (17,831 families) were affected by heavy rains and flash floods on 4 October, in Baidoa District, Bay Region, South West State of Somalia. Several houses are reportedly inundated, including makeshift shelters hosting over 86,700 internally displaced people in 136 displacement sites in Baidoa City. Critical needs include shelter, food, clean safe water, hygiene and sanitation facilities, and medical assistance. The rains mark the beginning of the Deyr (October to December) rainy season in Somalia, expected to have above-normal rains and increased flooding due to the influence of the El Niño conditions in Somalia. (OCHA, 7 Oct 2023)

The Federal Government of Somalia has declared an emergency in areas where torrential deyr (October to December) rains have triggered floods, according to the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). The heavy rains fueled by an El Nino, have intensified particularly in Puntland, Galmudug, South West, Hirshabelle states and in areas along the Juba river in Jubaland State. Partners estimate that as of 6 November, over 706,100 people have been temporarily affected, with over 113,690 people temporarily displaced from their homes across the country. South West and Jubaland states are the worst affected, with an estimated 268,243 and 268,365 people affected, respectively. In Hirshabelle, at least 145,800 people are reportedly affected, with 11,700 displaced following heavy rains on 5 November. Up to 400 families (2,400 people) are believed to be trapped by floods in Luuq and efforts are ongoing to urgently evacuate them. In Baardheere, local authorities are appealing for urgent support for more than 14,000 families that have been cut off from the main town and are unable to replenish their domestic supplies. (OCHA, 6 Nov 2023)

Heavy rains and flooding have extended to more areas of Somalia, with 33 of Somalia’s 74 districts now deluged compared to 21 two weeks ago. The floods have also swept away 14 more people, pushing the death toll to 55 people from 41 last as of 17 November, including 14 children. Most newly affected districts are in South West State, Hirshabelle and Jubaland states, and Banadir region. The expanding emergency has affected at least 1.7 million people across Somalia, of whom 695,000 are displaced from their homes; an increase of 41,000 from last week. Vast swathes of farmland have been engulfed, properties destroyed and infrastructure damaged. In Luuq, the main bridge is flooded and at risk of being swept away. Buurdhubo bridge in Baardhere has been destroyed. (OCHA, 24 Nov 2023)

The number of people affected by floods is estimated to be 2.48 million, including 1.2 million displaced from their homes and about 118 deaths, according to the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). At least 224 schools were also damaged across Somalia impacting the education of school going children. (OCHA, 24 Dec 2023)