HIGHLIGHTS
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Over 760,000 people in Ethiopia affected due to heavy rains, floods and landslides and 43 killed.
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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;
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65 per cent of the land area of the Dasenech district in South Ethiopia Region flooded, limited response so far;
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Limitations in government and partner capacities impact response in Oromia where more than 67,000 are affected;
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In Afar, 2,225 HHs from the two woredas in Zone 3 have been displaced due to river floods.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
The months of October to December (OND) constitute an important rainfall season contributing to 20-70 per cent of the annual total rainfall, particularly in the equatorial parts of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA). Accordingly, there is an exceptionally high forecast probability (>80 per cent)1 of experiencing wetter than normal rainfall conditions in southern Ethiopia. Elevated rainfall during OND 2023 and favoured by forecasts2 is already contributing to flooding in areas prone to floods.
El Niño3 conditions started between July and August 2023, with the realization of forecasts of wetter than usual rainfall conditions and flood incidences in various parts of Ethiopia in the OND 2023 - January 2024 period.
Floods since rains started in October, have affected at least 763,100 people across several regions and 33 lives lost (in Somali Region alone) and immense damage brought to health, transportation, school infrastructure and livelihoods.
Resource and capacities are limited therefore, current response in flood affected areas is not meeting the scale of demands for lifesaving assistance. Urgent mobilization of resources and scaled up response required.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.