Somali families displaced by drought and near-famine conditions last year are now on the move again, as catastrophic flash flooding has forced over 200,000 people out of their homes.

The central and state governments of Somalia declared an emergency in April 2018 and asked for humanitarian assistance. More than 900,000 individuals have been affected by the floods and there are predictions for more rains in the coming weeks.

There is increased possibility of around 200,000 more people being displaced during this second phase of flooding is highly likely.

Beledweyne district, located at the Ethopian boarder, has been badly affected. Floods washed away (completely or partially) their households, small shops, crops and livestock. Beledweyne district is divided by the Shebelle River into eastern and western sections so due to heavy floods in the river, it inundated most part of the town.

Islamic Relief is one of the few INGOs that has been able to access the most hard-to-reach areas on the outskirts of the town, with our field staff using a tractor and “improvised canoes” to get to stranded people.

Islamic Relief is one of the few INGOs that has been able to access the most hard-to-reach areas on the outskirts of the town

Islamic Relief Somalia has distributed over 3000 food packs from the Ramadan program among the flood affected individuals in Beletweyne, and further distributions as part of our humanitarian response will take place.

In addition to the urgent food needs, the rapid needs assessment conducted by Islamic Relief, identified multiple humanitarian needs. Families affected by floods urgently require shelter (plastic sheeting) and rehabilitation of homes, Non-food items such as kitchen sets, buckets, clothing’s and beddings and the recovery and reconstruction of their livelihoods and access to safe water and sanitation facilities.

Islamic Relief is responding to these needs through the distribution of emergency shelter to the flood affected families, provision of safe water, rehabilitation of water sources and other hygiene kits and services, including fumigation to guard against diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, due to increased risks in times of flooding.

Islamic Relief Australia is currently supporting 3000 people with drinking water and vector control (disease prevention) but there are huge unmet needs.

The floods have interceded with our Ramadan Food Pack Distribution in Somalia which can be viewed in the images below.

Our current work in Somalia is under WASH Intervention and Recovery for Somalia Flood Emergency Affected Families (WIRES)