Humanitarian radio works to alleviate flooding effects
As floods in Somalia displace thousands, the IMS-supported Radio Ergo works to reduce possible disasters
Several people have been killed and thousands displaced after heavy rains in central Somalia's Hiiraan region caused the Shabelle River to burst its banks on September 28.
The IMS-supported humanitarian radio service Radio Ergo is broadcasting special information on how to lessen possible disasters from the floods in the riverine areas of the Jubba and Shabelle rivers.
- Local farmers in the dry season cut the riverbanks to irrigate their farms, and now they need urgently to repair those breaks in the riverbank to avert flooding, says Louise Tunbridge, project coordinator for Radio Ergo.
Radio journalist displaced Radio Ergo operates with a network of stringers throughout Somalia, which makes for a unique presence in the conflict-stricken country. The floods have displaced the radio's stringer Abdullahi Salat from his home in the Hiiraan province:
It began to rain heavily and continued to pour big drops of rain but we went to bed, says Abdullahi Salat
But around 5:00 am, we got up when our neighbours started shouting. Soon after, we saw the water coming into the house. My wife and I picked up our children, and we moved to the highest point in my garden. We are now staying at a relative's house.
Radio Ergo is broadcasting regularly updated weather and flood alerts at this season, but has expanded its coverage due to the floods. This includes also longer-termmitigation measures such as tree planting to prevent soil erosion.
Thousands displaced
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the flooding has caused a number of deaths and the displacement of thousands of people:
- We estimate that 3,500 families have been displaced from Beletweyne town. A number of people have been killed in the flooding, says Russell Geekie of UNOCHA.
Between 27 and 28 September, Beletweyne, the capital of the Hiiraan region saw 188mm of rain – equivalent to the area's yearly average rainfall.
Floods will likely destroy crops, delay the harvest, and contribute to outbreaks of malaria and other waterborne diseases, according to UNOCHA. It follows last year's devastating drought and famine which left tens of thousands dead in Somalia and its neighbouring countries.
Radio Ergo is on the air daily, broadcasting valuable humanitarian information on protection, human rights, conflict prevention, health issues, livestock and farming, and other key issues. IMS supports Radio Ergo through its daughter company IMS Productions ApS with a branch office in Kenya.