Somalia: 2023 Deyr Season Floods Situation Report No. 1 (As of 17 November 2023) – Somalia

HIGHLIGHTS

• The number of people displaced by heavy rains and floods in Somalia has nearly doubled in one week from 334,800 to 649,000. Over half a million more people have been affected, bringing the total to 1.7 million, up from 1.17 million a week ago. This figure exceeds planning and preparedness figures.

• The torrential rains and floods have exacerbated the hunger crisis in Somalia. Livelihoods and lives are at risk, with 4.3 million people – a quarter of the population – forecast to face crisis-level hunger or worse by the end of this year

• Suspected cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera are rising. Twelve percent of the 14,905 cases and 42 related deaths reported since the beginning of the year are from 29 districts affected by the heavy rains and floods.

• Humanitarian partners, the authorities and local communities have stepped up assistance to affected people. At least 743,000 people have received life-saving assistance since October.

• Despite the rapidly growing needs, funding for the humanitarian response remains low. One and a half months to the end of the year, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia is just 39 per cent funded.

KEY FIGURES

• 1.7M People affected by heavy rain and floods
• 649K People displaced from their homes
• 41 Reported deaths across the country
• 125.6K People who have relocated to higher areas
• 743K People reached with assistance

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The number of people displaced by heavy rains and floods in Somalia has nearly doubled in one week, with about 649,000 people now displaced compared to 334,800 as of 8 November, according field response data. Over half a million more people have been affected, pushing the total number impacted to about 1.7 million, up from 1.17 million last week. At least 13 more people have died, taking the toll to 41, including 12 children. The World Food Programme has warned that livelihoods and lives are at risk, with 4.3 million people – a quarter of Somalia’s population – likely to face crisis-level hunger or worse by the end of this year. Very heavy rains are forecast to continue in southern Somalia until 21 November, according to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre.

Suspected Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera cases are rising. Twelve per cent of the 14,905 cases and 40 related deaths reported since the beginning of the year were reported from 29 districts impacted by the current El Nino phenomenon, according to the Health Cluster. The overall 2023-2024 case load is expected to increase especially when the flood water recedes. Already the cholera case load is 56 per cent above the three-year average. In addition, roads, bridges and airstrips have been damaged in several areas, affecting the movement of people and supplies and leading to increased prices of basic commodities. In Gedo region, authorities report that Buurdhuubo bridge has collapsed. Built in 1987, the bridge was the main link between Gedo and major supply hubs like Baidoa and Mogadishu. A week ago, another bridge in Baardheere collapsed.

Flooding is expanding along the Juba river catchment area. A forecast by FAO-Somalia Water And Land Information Management project (SWALIM) suggests that the runoff will sustain the river overflows and floods at Doolow and Luuq and worsen the flooding at Baardheere and downstream areas. Along the Shabelle river where water levels have been rising for about two weeks, a sharp increase in the river level has triggered massive flooding, swamping up to 90 per cent of Belet Weyne town. It is projected that the runoff will sustain the current bankfull water levels at Belet Weyne while flash floods are expected in Bulo Burto and surrounding areas.