Severe flooding, intensified by the El Niño weather phenomenon, is wreaking havoc in Somalia, causing substantial displacement and loss of life.
The Council of Ministers in Somalia reported that floods have claimed at least 96 lives, with densely populated areas like Beledweyne experiencing significant devastation.
Beledweyne, near the Ethiopian border, is one of the worst-hit towns, with the Shabelle River bursting its banks, destroying homes, and prompting thousands to seek refuge in higher ground.
Families like Hakima Mohamud Hareed’s, who initially fled violence and drought, are now grappling with the aftermath of flooding, having lost their belongings and seeking shelter in displacement camps.
Save the Children estimates that around 250,000 people, or 90% of Beledweyne’s population, have been forced out of their homes due to the flooding.
Somalia declared a state of emergency in October, as extreme weather, exacerbated by El Niño, led to the destruction of homes, roads, and bridges.
El Niño, a temporary warming of the Pacific, is impacting weather patterns globally, with scientists attributing its increased intensity to climate change.
The rare flooding phenomenon has affected not only Somalia but also neighboring countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, receiving ongoing torrential rainfall.
The U.N.-backed Somali Water and Land Information Management project warns of a flood event statistically likely only once in a century, with approximately 1.6 million people in Somalia at risk of flooding until December.
While relief efforts are underway, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre appeals for international support, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for assistance in addressing the widespread flooding in Somalia.