Situation overview
A further reduction in rainfall in most areas of Juba and Shabelle basins inside Somalia as well as the Ethiopian highlands has been recorded compared to the previous week. However, a few areas in Middle and Lower Shabelle regions received moderate rains, according to the FAO-managed Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM). The risk of flooding along the lower reaches of Shabelle and Juba Rivers has been downgraded to moderate and minimal, respectively.
Health partners and facilities in some flood-affected regions have reported increased cases of acute watery diarhoea (AWD) and malaria.
Humanitarian impact and needs
While the situation in many areas has returned to normal, an estimated 145,200 people have been affected by floods since the onset of the rainy season in October, according to SWALIM and partners.
On 29 November, heavy rains in Mogadishu, Banadir region, caused the water reservoir in Sigaale, Hodan district, to overflow leading to flooding. The floods affected 12 internally displaced people’s settlements in ADRO, Al-cadaala, Bay iyo Bakool, Bismilahi, Buuryaqalin, Cali Adan, Daruur, Dharyaale, Galgaduud, Hilaac, Jarirow and Tawakal. Shelters in these settlements were submerged and latrines were destroyed. Sanitation conditions are reportedly poor. An estimated 1,200 people have been affected by the flooding, 600 of whom are displaced with some of them living with relatives in nearby areas. Assessments will be conducted to ascertain the number of people affected. Water, sanitation, hygiene, health and shelter have been cited as urgent needs in Sigaale. Assistance is required to treat and drain stagnant water.
Communities in riverine areas in Barhdeere, Belet Xaawo, Burdhuubo, Doolow and Luuq districts in Gedo region continued to report an increase in mosquitos and insects affecting both people and livestock. This resulted in the migration of some people from the riverine villages to pastoral areas. Malaria cases in Doloow have increased to 377 from 300 cases from October to November. Most of the affected are children under the age of 5.
Reports from Lower Shabelle region indicate that river breakages in Beledul Amin, Mareerey, Mordinle and Raqeyle villages in Afgooye district, resulted in floods which inundated farms. Local residents in Beledul Amin repaired the breakage.
Community leaders in Kulbio village in Lower Juba region reported that heavy rains destroyed three houses while a local school teacher died after drowning in a water reservoir in Baadhaadhe. Heavy rains destroyed 25 homes in Baadhaadhe town and nearby villages and in Afamadow district. There are increased cases of AWD in Kismayo, according to health partners and the director of Kismayo District Hospital.
Humanitarian coordination and response
WASH and health partners are conducting blanket chlorination of shallow wells in Kismayo town in Lower Juba region as part of response to the increasing number of AWD cases. Partners have conducted awareness campaigns on AWD and are promoting proper hygiene and sanitation practices as well as health seeking practices. In Gedo region, health partners continued to treat cases of malaria in different health facilities in Doloow and Luuq districts.
In Dhobley, partners completed the construction of 149 pit latrines with handwashing facilities for over 3,000 people, both for the host communities and displaced persons. Distribution of hygiene kits to an estimated 4,400 displaced people in different areas in Afmadow district was completed. Some 51 sanitation kits were also distributed to displaced people in Dhobley
Lower Shabelle and Middle Juba regions. Disinfection of the cholera treatment center is also ongoing in Middle Shabelle. Partners distributed food to some 1,200 people in Bon, Bulahar, Sabawanag and Salahley villages in Awdal and Woqooyi Galbeed regions in Somaliland during the reporting period. Registration of affected internally displaced people in Sigaale,Banadir region was ongoing in preparation for the provision of shelter and distribution of non-food items. Provision of emergency shelter and NFI to an estimated 4,800 internally displaced persons who were previously affected by heavy rains in Weydow area in Dayniile district continued.
OCHA undertook a mission to Balcad and Jowhar in Middle Shabelle region from 24 -27 November to meet partners and authorities to discuss the impact of flooding. Priority needs, response and gaps were discussed. The discussions focused on the need for increased access to food for flood-affected people in all riverine villages, integrated health and nutrition services and access to safe drinking water. More boats are required to deliver assistance to locations which have been cut off by floods. Nutrition and medical supplies are needed for treatment of malaria, AWD and skin diseases. People living along the river are also in urgent need of mosquito nets and plastic sheets.
The Somalia Inter-agency Contingency Plan for El Niño is available here:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/somalia_el_nino_contingency_planning_september_2015.pdf
For SWALIM technical rainfall and flood update please visit: http://www.faoswalim.org/
For more information or to receive our reports as attachment, contact: Tapiwa Gomo Head of Communication, gomo@un.org, Tel. (+254) 731043197, or Kenneth Odiwuor, odiwuor@un.org, Tel. (+254) 734800120
Note: Unless the situation changes, the Somalia Flash Update will be issued once every two weeks