Somalia: 2024 Gu (April to June) Season Floods Weekly Situation Report No. 2 - As of 19 May 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• Humanitarian partners are working with the Federal Government of Somalia to respond to the impact of the Gu (April to June) rains and have so far reached at least 157,000 people with some form of assistance.

• An estimated 225,759 people have been affected by the Gu rains including 38,727 people displaced or relocated as of 14 May. In Dhobley and Afmadow, a large part of those displaced have returned to their homes following the current dry spell.

• At least 10,640 cholera cases, including 120 deaths representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.1 per cent have been reported in seven states, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 13 May.

• Floods occasioned by breakages along the eastern side of the Shabelle River at Belet Weyne affected three villages including Bacaad, Qooqane and Lafoole on 12 May. The residents of the said villages safely evacuated to high ground.

• The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which requires US$1.6 billion is just 20 per cent funded. Additional funds are required to urgently meet the needs of the affected people.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Humanitarian partners, working together with the Federal Government of Somalia, continue to support people affected by Gu (April to June) seasonal rains and flash floods, and have reached at least 157,000 people with some form of assistance. As of 14 May, the number of people affected by the ongoing rains has risen to 225,759ii people including 38,727 people displaced and 9 deaths, according to the authorities. At least 3,000 people have been relocated. Meanwhile, a large part of those displaced in Dhobley and Afmadow have returned to their homes following a dry spell. Across Somalia, the heavy rains and flash floods have resulted in the loss of livelihoods, including livestock, cropland, damaged small businesses and destroyed infrastructure including shelter (3,367 destroyed and 870 affected), water sources (29 water points), latrines (5,002), schools (7), and damaged roads. Additionally, 5,899 hectares of agricultural land have been inundated by the floods, jeopardizing food security. According to humanitarian partners, at least 770,000 people could be affected by the time the Gu season ends. In addition, the damage to water sources, and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities is exacerbating the cholera outbreak. At least 10,647 cases and 120 deaths, representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.1 per cent, have been reported in seven states as of 13 May, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The CFR is slightly above the WHO emergency threshold of less than or equal to one per cent.

The week of 7 and 13 May was generally marked by light to moderate rains received in 40 stations while heavy rains were only observed at Mataban in Hiraan region and Doolow in Gedo region. Dry conditions prevailed in several other areas. Light to moderate rains are expected in Puntland and Somaliland with dry conditions likely to be observed throughout central and southern parts of the country between the 14 to 20 May, according to FAO-Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM). Meanwhile, along the Shabelle and Juba River Catchment, dry conditions are likely to lead to a reduction in runoff water, causing a drop in the previous high river levels at Belet Weyne, Doolow and Luuq. As the previous volume of water at Belet Weyne, Doolow and Luuq flows downstream, the river will slightly rise before dipping at Bulo Burte, Jalalaqsi, Jowhar, Balcad, Baardheere, Bu’aale and Jilib during the week of 19 to 25 May, leading to reduced risk of flash and riverine flooding in Belet Weyne and Doolow and the entire channels, according to FAO-SWALIM.