Highlights
Since the start of the year, over 9,000 cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera have been reported in Somalia. With 441 deaths recorded, the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 4.8 per cent, well above the 1 per cent emergency threshold. Banadir, Bay, Lower and Middle Juba, Lower and Middle Shabelle, and Hiraan are the most affected regions, with the cholera outbreak confirmed in 15 districts to date. Children under-5 bear the biggest brunt; according to WHO, children account for 58 per cent of the cases and 64 per cent of the deaths.
An estimated 70,000 people have been displaced by floods in Belet Weyne, Hiraan region, with nearly 60 per cent of the town under water. It is reportedly the worst flooding that has occurred since 1981. As Belet Weyne is a traditional AWD/cholera hotspot, there is a high risk of disease outbreak as a result of the flooding, including of malaria. Priority interventions include the provision of hygiene kits and mosquito nets, combined with social mobilization and hygiene promotion efforts. In addition, 31 schools have been affected and the education of 5,547 learners disrupted. Ten separated children have been also been identified by UNICEF and partners.
Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs
Since the start of the year, over 9,000 cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera have been reported in Somalia. With 441 deaths recorded3 , the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 4.8 per cent, well above the 1 per cent emergency threshold. Banadir, Bay, Lower and Middle Juba, Lower and Middle Shabelle, and Hiraan are the most affected regions, with the cholera outbreak confirmed in 15 districts to date. Children under-5 bear the biggest brunt; according to WHO, children account for 58 per cent of the cases and 64 per cent of the deaths. Ongoing rains, floods and displacements in parts of southern Somalia have likely contributed to the expansion of the outbreak. A significant number of AWD/cholera cases have also been confirmed in border areas of Kenya and Ethiopia.
An estimated 70,000 people have been displaced by floods in Belet Weyne, Hiraan region, with nearly 60 per cent of the town under water. It is reportedly the worst flooding that has occurred since 1981. As Belet Weyne is a traditional AWD/cholera hotspot, there is a high risk of disease outbreak as a result of the flooding, including of malaria. Priority interventions include the provision of hygiene kits and mosquito nets, combined with social mobilization and hygiene promotion efforts. In addition, 31 schools have been affected and the education of 5,547 learners disrupted. Ten separated children have been also been identified by UNICEF and partners. An inter-cluster mission planned in June will further asses the medium term needs, in particular the rehabilitation of water points, latrines and schools.