Somalia Situation Report, 12 May 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

Humanitarian partners are working with the Government of Somalia to respond to the impact of the Gu' rains & have so far reached at least 157,000 people with some assistance.

An estimated 225,759 people have been affected by the Gu rains including 38,727 people displaced as of 14 May. In Dhobley & Afmadow, a large part of the displaced returned home.

At least 10,640 cholera cases, including 120 deaths representing a case fatality rate of (CFR)

1.1% have been reported in seven states, according to the World WHO, as of 13 May.

Floods occasioned by breakages along the eastern side of the Shabelle River at Belet Weyne affected villages including Bacaad, Qooqane and Lafoole on 12 May.

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

Analysis

SOMALIA: 2024 Gu (April to June) Season Floods Weekly Situation Report No. 1

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The Gu (April to June) heavy rains and flash floods have spread to more areas of Somalia and have affected at least 203,438 people, including around 37,120 displaced or relocated and nine people killed as of 8 May, according to authorities. Humanitarian partners are working with the Federal Government of Somalia, and they have so far reached over 72,000 people in 25 districts with some form of assistance across the country. The floods have destroyed and damaged infrastructure including some 3,080 shelters, 4,702 latrines, three schools and killed at least 100 livestock. Shallow wells have been submerged and some destroyed, which in turn, poses a risk of cholera outbreak. Additionally, hectares of agricultural land have been inundated by the floods, jeopardizing food security and might lead to an increase in price instability. Hirshabelle, Jubaland and South West states are the worst affected. According to humanitarian partners, at least 770,000 people could be affected by the time the Gu season ends.

Along the Shabelle River, the water level in Belet Weyne was above the moderate risk levels as of 6 May while in the Juba River, water levels at Doolow exceeded the high flood risk level following heavy rains (117mm) on 6 May, reportedly the highest recorded in one day since 2016. The rain was about a quarter of the amount usually recorded in one season in the area. The rains have led to muddy road conditions, restricting the movement of people and goods, including humanitarian supplies in some areas of Somalia. Light rains are forecasted over most part of the country with moderate rain likely over Lower Shabelle and coastal parts of Lower Juba, from 8 to 14 May, according to FAO-Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM).

UPDATE BY AREA

At least 400 flood affected people in Khada district, Banadir Region arrived in 13 displacement sites which are in low-lying areas, according to Camp Coordination Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster partners on 7 May. Partners and the Government relocated the people to higher grounds. More flood-displaced people from Lower and Middle Shabelle regions continue to arrive in Banadir region, according to the new arrival tracker, with about 706 new arrivals recorded in Kahda and Daynile districts. In Galmudug State, heavy rains and flooding have affected the road infrastructure, preventing the movement of both people and goods to Afbarwaaqo and Hobyo towns. Trucks on the way to Afbarwaaqo in Jariiban districts - transporting commercial and humanitarian supplies, including nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) items, are stuck on muddy roads, depriving 6,000 people affected by the floods of humanitarian support. Although, Galmudug region experienced moderate rainfall between 1 and 2 May, the rains triggered flooding which affected the already deteriorated road infrastructure.

At least 70,300 people have been affected in Hirshabelle State including 9,300 displaced and four killed. Of those displaced, at least 11,676 people self-relocated to higher grounds in Belet Weyne. Partners report the destruction of 1,112 latrines and 10,503 shelters, most of them makeshift. The rains also inundated 5,800 hectares of agricultural land and impacted the only education center. On 1 and 2 May, heavy rains causing flash floods, affected 23,976 people, including 2,400 displaced people in 51 displacement sites in Belet Weyne. In addition, 67 out of 95 verified displacement sites were impacted, affecting approximately 39,120 people and damaging 156 latrines. Water sources were also either damaged or affected while a nutrition centre was also affected. In Jubaland State, at least 100,000 people have been affected, including some 24,123 displaced. On 6 May, 46,000 people were affected by heavy rains, the highest recorded in one day since 2016. The rain temporarily disrupted movement to and from Doolow, destroyed 750 shelters and 250 latrines, and inundated farmlands along Juba River. According to FAO-Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM), 117mm of rainfall was recorded, an amount that is about a quarter of the rainfall usually recorded in one season in the area. The runoff from the very heavy rainfall led to a sharp rise in Juba River level to above high flood risk level at Doolow. Meanwhile, at least 60,000 people were affected by flash floods including 25,000 displaced in Dhobley town while in Afmadow, 1,300 latrines, 136 shelters and four shallow wells were damaged.

In Puntland, about 8,400 people have been affected including 120 people displaced in North Mudug, 20 latrines and two schools were also destroyed. In Balibusle, Jariiban District, around 1,500 people were displaced, and 30 latrines destroyed. Graveyards in North Mudug and Jariban District were also inundated. Greenhouses constructed by Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Caana - Yaskax village, Garowe district, were washed away by flooding while in Shimbiraale village, farmlands were flooded, affecting 200 smallholder farmers. At least four people have been killed in Somaliland following heavy rains in Dirimaraa village, Sheikh district. The rains also washed away unspecified number of sheep and goats in the village. In South West State, at least 24,396 people were affected including 3,240 displaced. About 2,100 people who had self-relocated were also displaced around Jowhar town. In addition, the floods destroyed at least 120 houses and 12 hectares of crops and damaged more than 50 community latrines, according to humanitarian partners. Due to the heavy rains, the Shabelle River burst its banks, and affected Janaale town, Marka, Lower Shabelle.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

The Federal Government of Somalia with the support of the state and local governments distributed food and non-food items such as shelter kits to the flood affected people living in hotspot locations. People reached include 500 households in Belet Weyne, and 500 households in Baidoa. In Buurhakaba 300 households received mixed food aid while in Doolow and Gaalkacyo south, 300 households in each district received some form of assistance.

Humanitarian partners have reached at least 72,400 people (12,066 households) in 25 districts with some form of life saving assistance. They have also prepositioned essential nutrition supplies in the 22 hotspot districts. In addition, those affected by floods have also been reached with dignity kits and awareness messages.