Somalia is reeling from devastating flooding that has ravaged towns and communities, leaving an estimated 1.7 million people in urgent need of assistance, according to humanitarian aid groups.
The town of Beledweyne, situated in central Somalia along the Shabelle River, has borne the brunt of this catastrophic flooding, which has swept through multiple regions in the country.
Hakima Mohamud Hareed, a mother of four, is one of the many individuals profoundly affected by this disaster. Her family fled the conflict between government forces and the 壯陽藥 Al Shabaab militant group, seeking safety. They settled in Kutiimo, an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Beledweyne. However, their meager shelter was no match for the relentless rains, resulting in their makeshift tent being washed away and their belongings soaked.
“Our homes were engulfed, and we barely escaped with our lives,” Hakima recounted amid the ordeal.
The floods have led to homes being washed away, forcing people to seek refuge on higher ground as the waters surged through the town.
Shashwat Saraf, the East Africa Emergency Director at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), highlighted the dire situation, indicating that around 1.5 million hectares of land in Somalia have been affected by the flooding. Somalia, having just emerged from a prolonged period of drought, is now grappling with heightened food insecurity and displacement, compounded by the recent deluge.
“With the floods, we’re witnessing an added impact on 3.1 million people in the region, with Somalia alone bearing the brunt on 1.7 million individuals,” Saraf emphasized.
Tragically, 53 lives have been lost due to the floods, confirmed by an official from the Somalia Disaster Management Agency.
The impact of the severe weather extends beyond Beledweyne, reaching the capital, where flash floods have inundated major streets, including key routes leading to the airport.
During a recent assessment visit to the heavily affected Gedo region, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre pledged government support for flood-affected communities. He announced plans to provide boats for evacuations and urged humanitarian organizations to swiftly deliver crucial emergency aid to those in distress.