Ethiopia: Floods - Nov 2023

Heavy rainfall has been affecting southern and eastern Ethiopia, in particular the Somali Region, since early November, causing floods, flash floods and the overflow of some rivers, particularly the Genale River, that have resulted in casualties and damage. Media reports, as of 7 November, 20 fatalities and more than 12,000 displaced families across the Somali Region. In addition, several bridges collapsed and some roads have been damaged across the affected area. Over the next 24 hours, more heavy rainfall with locally very heavy rainfall is forecast over the whole Somali Region. (ECHO, 7 Nov 2023)

Over 760,000 people in Ethiopia affected due to heavy rains, floods and landslides and 43 killed. Only 8 per cent of over 611,000 affected people in Somali region reached; many flood areas remain inaccessible and hard-to-reach as multiple routes and bridges are damaged. (OCHA, 15 Nov 2023)

About 1.5 million people have been affected by the El Niño induced floods during the deyr/hageya (October to December) rain season in the south and southeastern parts of Ethiopia including Somali, South Ethiopia, South West Ethiopia and Oromia regions, as well as in Afar, Amhara and Gambela regions. As of 6 December, 60 human fatalities have been reported, and over 616,000 people who remain displaced need emergency shelter or are living in public infrastructures such as in schools, many of which have been damaged. (OCHA, 18 Dec 2023)