First, some families fled drought and violence.
Now they say they have nowhere to hide from intense flooding as rains exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon batter large parts of Somalia.
The floods have killed at least 96 people, the country’s Council of Ministers reported on Thursday.
Among the worst affected towns was densely populated Beledweyne, where the Shabelle River burst its banks, destroying many homes and causing thousands of people to flee to higher ground near the border with Ethiopia.
Hakima Mohamud Hareed, a mother of four children, including one with a disability, said her family is constantly seeking shelter.
The family recently moved to Beledweyne, fleeing battles between the extremist group al-Shabab and Somali government forces.
“We left our house in search of safety and stability, but we didn’t know that we would end up facing another calamity,” he said by phone.
In the Kutiimo displaced persons camp in Beledweyne, floods destroyed the family’s small, tattered tent.
Families say they have nowhere to hide from intense flooding as rains exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon hit much of Somalia.AP
The wind whips the damp, flimsy fabric.
“The floods washed away all our belongings, so we were left with only our lives,” he said. “It was a traumatic experience for all of us.”
They are not alone.
According to the humanitarian group Save the Children, the floods have forced some 250,000 people, or 90% of Beledweyne’s population, to leave their homes.
At least 96 people are confirmed to have died from flooding across Somalia, said Hassan Issee, who manages emergency operations at the Somalia Disaster Management Agency. AP Residents were seen moving through floodwaters on a street in the town of Beledweyne, Somalia, on Nov. 19, 2023. AP
Somalia’s federal government declared a state of emergency in October after extreme weather exacerbated by El Niño destroyed homes, roads and bridges.
An El Niño is a natural, temporary, occasional warming of part of the Pacific that changes weather patterns around the world, often modifying the aerial tracks of storms.
It hits hardest between December and February.
Scientists believe that climate change is strengthening El Niño.
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Many parts of Somalia, as well as neighboring Horn of Africa nations Kenya and Ethiopia, are still receiving torrential rains in what aid agencies have described as a rare flooding phenomenon.
The U.N.-backed Somali Water and Land Information Management project has warned of “a flood of a magnitude statistically likely only once every 100 years,” the U.N. food agency said in a recent statement.
About 1.6 million people in Somalia could be affected by flooding in the rainy season that lasts until December, he said.
Beledweyne, in the central Hiran region, is perhaps the most devastated community.
As the floods swept through, homes were swept away.
Hakima said his family may be safe from flooding in their camp, but they are hungry and desperate for warm shelter.
“We ask our Somali brothers and sisters to help us get out of this situation, as we fight to survive,” he said.
Mukhtar Moalim, a retail store owner, described frantic attempts to save his property in Beledweyne market after the river overflowed its banks.
Among the worst affected towns was densely populated Beledweyne, where the Shabelle River overflowed its banks. AP The flood destroyed many homes and caused thousands of people to flee to higher ground near the border with Ethiopia.
He and a family member swam into the store to try to keep the water out by placing concrete blocks against the door.
But the water level continues to rise, also threatening their residence on the floor above the store from where they monitor the destruction.
At least 53 people are confirmed to have died from flooding across Somalia, said Hassan Issee, who manages emergency operations at the Somalia Disaster Management Agency.
“The situation is serious and we are doing everything we can to provide help to the affected people,” he said.
“The situation is serious and we are doing everything we can to provide help to the affected people,” Issee said. AP Speaking Wednesday in the Dollow district of the Gedo region, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre urged the international community to help. Images
Mogadishu, the Somali capital, has also been affected.
The city’s main streets, including the road leading to the airport, have been flooded.
Speaking on Wednesday in the Dollow district of the Gedo region, where many families have been displaced by floods, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre urged the international community to help.
“We are doing the best we can, but we need more support,” he said.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn