Attachments
1.0 Executive Summary
On 5th October-2023, over 3,000 households were affected by heavy rains and floods in Baidoa district. Save the children, Concern Worldwide and GREDO conducted a joint Multi-Sectoral Rapid Need Assessment across the most affected IDP camps, including Salamey Idale, Tawakal 2 Dinsoor, Garasgoof, Hanano 2, Gaslo, Galgalweyne, Bodan, Borodi and Barwaqo. According to the findings from the assessment, approximately 1,000 households’ shelters were destroyed by floods and nearly 75% of the population were severely affected. Over 250 latrines were damaged or destroyed by floods in the assessed settlements.
Close to 7,000 children in the 9 assessed locations were directly affected by the floods through shelter destruction, schools’ closure, and lack of access to health services. 5 health and nutrition facilities were damaged by floods and not accessible due to stagnant water in the facility. The floods blocked routes to town and markets, impeding communities’ access, movement of goods and services as well as people, leading to increase inprice of commodities. Most of the settlements did not receive information about the upcoming rains, risks associated to them and safe areas to move to. At the time of the assessment,no assistance was yet received and communities requested immediate support as their situation was deteriorating. Most urgent needs requested by the population are Food, Shelter, WASH (latrines and clean water, clearance of debris and flood water), Health and Nutrition services and Education.
1.1 Introduction
The situation in Baidoa, Bay region in the Southwest state of Somalia, is deeply precarious, marked by persistent vulnerability to conflict-related insecurity and natural events, such as drought and flooding. The most recent drought has inflicted considerable hardship on the region, and while the Gu rains have offered some relief, challenges persist. Adding to the adversity, a blockade by Al-Shabaab mid of July to early of August 2023 severed vital transport links to and from Baidoa, which not only affected businesses but also led to significant commodities price increase, creating additional strain. According to the UN, Baidoa currently hosts a staggering number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), estimated at 600,000 individuals. The urban population has surged dramatically in the last five years, amplifying the strain on resources and infrastructure. The looming threat of the forecasted El Niño compounds with these challenges, as an estimated 1.2 million people are likely to be impacted by it this year in Somalia. This climate event poses an additional risk, further undermining food security and communities’ resilience, already weakened by a historic drought.
The purpose of this report is to assess the impact of floods that took place on 5th October in Baidoa, resulting from the recent heavy rainfall. The floods have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, displacement of communities, and increased health-associated risks to the affected population.
1.2 Methodology
The assessment was conducted jointly by Save the children, Concern Worldwide and GREDO on 8th October 2024, targeting 9 flood-affected sites from 3 zones (ADC,
Hanano and Abow Asharow) in Baidoa using a standardized rapid needs assessment survey. The organizations’ programme team conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) targeting community/camp leaders and used observation to understand the impact of the affected communities. KIIs were the main source of the data, while observations were used to verify some of the findings and issues that require clarification.
1.3 Rapid assessment objectives
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To assess the impact of floods as a result of the heavy rains in Baidoa
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To identity the immediate needs of impacted communities that require urgent action
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Observe the current situation in order to provide accurate information for effective response planning
1.4 Interviews
9 KI interviews were conducted with community leaders and affected community members in 9 IDP sites. .
1.5 Field observation
The survey team relied on direct field observation of affected areas, health status analysis, and environmental health particularly latrines, water points, and shelter.
1.6 Assessed Locations:
SCI using convenient sampling approach have been selected 9 accessible IDP camps among those affected by the floods in order to generate some evidence relating to impact of 5th Oct’s heavy rains. Below are the assessed IDP camps.