First, some families fled the drought and violence.
Now they say they have nowhere to hide from severe flooding as rains exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon hit large parts of Somalia.
The floods have killed at least 96 people, the country’s Council of Ministers said Thursday.
Among the worst affected towns was the densely populated Beledweyne, where the Shabelle River had 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 was always looking for shelter.
The family recently moved to Beledweyne, fleeing fighting between the al-Shabab extremist group and Somali government forces.
“We left our homes in search of safety and stability, but we didn’t know that we would face another catastrophe,” he said by phone.
At the Kutiimo evacuation camp in Beledweyne, the flood destroyed the family’s small dilapidated tent.
Families say they have nowhere to hide from severe flooding as rains exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon hit large parts of Somalia.AP
The wind hit the damp and fragile fabric.
“The flood washed away all our possessions, 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 about 250,000 people, or 90% of Beledweyne’s population, from their homes.
At least 96 people have been confirmed killed by floods across Somalia, said Hassan Issee, who manages emergency operations at Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency. Residents of AP are seen moving through floodwaters on a road in the town of Beledweyne, in Somalia on November 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.
El Niño is a natural, temporary and occasional warming in parts of the Pacific that changes weather patterns around the world, often by moving air paths for storms.
It hits its worst in December to February.
Scientists believe climate change is making El Niño stronger.
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Many parts of Somalia, as well as neighboring Horn of Africa countries Kenya and Ethiopia, are still receiving heavy rains in what aid agencies describe as a rare flooding phenomenon.
Somalia’s UN-backed Water and Land Information Management Project has warned of “a potentially once-in-100-year major flood event,” the UN food agency said in a recent statement.
About 1.6 million people in Somalia may be affected by flooding in the rainy season that lasts until December, he said.
Beledweyne, in the central region of Hiran, was perhaps the most devastated community.
When the flood waters hit, houses were washed away.
Hakima said her family may be safe from the floods in their camp, but they are hungry and desperate for warm shelter.
“We are asking our Somali brothers and sisters to help us out of this situation, because we are struggling to survive,” he said.
Mukhtar Moalim, the owner of a grocery store, described the frantic attempt to save his property in Beledweyne market after the river burst its banks.
Among the worst affected towns was densely populated Beledweyne, where the Shabelle River had burst its banks.AP Floods destroyed many homes and caused thousands to flee to higher ground near the border with Ethiopia.AP
He and a relative swam towards the store to stop the water from flowing in, placing concrete blocks at the door.
But the water level continued to rise, also threatening their residence on the floor above the shop where they were monitoring the destruction.
At least 53 people have been confirmed killed in floods across Somalia, said Hassan Issee, who manages emergency operations at Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency.
“The situation is dire, and we are doing our best to provide assistance to those affected,” he said.
“The situation is dire, and we are doing our best to provide assistance to the affected people,” Issee said.AP Speaking on Wednesday in the Dollow district of Gedo province, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre called on the international community to help.Getty Images
Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, was also affected.
Major roads in the city, including the road to the airport, were flooded.
Speaking on Wednesday in the Dollow district of Gedo province, where many families have been displaced by floods, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre urged the international community to help.
“We are doing our best, but we need more support,” he said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
