Somalia: exceptional rains, more than 190,000 people affected

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2 min

Somalia, particularly the region of middle and lower Shabelle, has been particularly affected by unusual rains which have continued to fall since the end of June. The latest report from the UN agency OCHA announces at least 10,000 more people affected in the district of Marka, as a result of the flooding of two rivers, which increases the damage and the people affected.

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More than 190,000 people in the country are affected by these persistent rains. Almost 150,000 hectares of arable land have been inundated. The rainy season in southern and central Somalia brought more rainfall than in previous years. Strong winds and lower temperatures were also noted, a weather that has big impacts on the daily life of Somali populations, especially on agriculture.

OCHA highlights the growing humanitarian needs. Projections raise fears that between June and September, 3.5 million more people will face food insecurity in a country already severely affected by malnutrition.

In @OCHASom July humanitarian bulletin:

• More flooding, 10K + people affected in Marka, SWS
• Somalia opens multi-hazard warning ctr
• Spike in access incidents since January
• $ 15 m for anticipatory action interventions

Read more https://t.co/ QUYXkpSfLG pic.twitter.com/Zz54WZmVDu

These bad weather are on top of the Covid19 pandemic and the locust invasion which have made the low-income populations of the country even more precarious. Thus, 2.6 million Somalis have been displaced by the various crises in the country.

These floods are likely to continue. Meteorologists are still forecasting heavy or moderate rains for the coming week.

In Ethiopia, more than 49,000 people have been affected by floods caused by the same weather phenomenon. The Awash River in particular overflowed in the Afar region in the northeast of the country. The Ethiopian army has set up evacuations.

► See also: Bad weather in Somalia: concerns about the humanitarian situation

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• Severe weather
• Somalia