Somalia Humanitarian Bulletin, November 2020 [EN/SO]

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cyclone Gati has aggravated the humanitarian situation in Puntland. The cyclone affected nearly 200,000 people, of whom 42,000 were displaced by associated rainfall.

• Despite an increasing humanitarian caseload, transport access in some parts of the country remains a challenge.

• FAO warns of a spread of the desert locust infestation to the southern parts of the country as widespread hatching and hopper growth continue.

• Funding per sector remains disproportionate; more than half of the clusters have received less than 35 per cent of required funding.

• Multi-purpose cash grants are changing the lives of the IDPs in South Gaalkacyo.

Situation overview

Tropical Cyclone Gati aggravates humanitarian situation in Puntland

The humanitarian situation in Somalia has been aggravated by Cyclone Gati which made landfall in Bari region, Puntland on 22 November. Moderate to heavy rainfall associated with the cyclone together with some heavy storms affected nearly 200,000 people, including 42,000 displaced mainly in Iskushuban district. The cyclone caused the death of nine people and disrupted livelihoods by destroying fishing gear, killing livestock, and flooding agricultural land and crops. The storm came against the backdrop of the triple threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and an unprecedented desert locust upsurge which further deepened overall food insecurity within the country.

According to FAO-SWALIM, the unusual heavy rains in the area also led to an immediate and short-term recharge of subsurface water sources and pasture growth, especially in Somaliland which has had a prolonged dry period since September 2020. However, these rains are not enough to address the water deficit in the area.

The forecast calls for light to moderate rains in most parts of the southern regions of the country. IGAD Climate Prediction & Application Centre (ICPAC) predicts drier than usual conditions likely to be recorded over most parts of Somalia, warning these conditions pose some risk to livelihoods. Farmers, pastoralists and all stakeholders are advised to take appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of these drier than usual conditions.

Seasonal Deyr rains (October – December) have been erratic in Somalia, starting late in most parts of the country. However, the rains have caused widespread flooding resulting in displacement, suspected deaths and destruction of key infrastructure including roads, houses and farmland, according to humanitarian partners. At least 214,000 people have been affected by the Deyr rains and floods, mainly in Banadir, Jubaland, Hirshabelle, Galmudug and South West region since 23 October.

Those affected include more than 53,000 IDPs and members of the host community in Baidoa town in South West State, whose living conditions were already dire.

The Deyr floods follow the Hagaa season (June-September) riverine and flash floods, which affected over 545,000 people in Hirshabelle, South West and Jubaland states.