Torrential rainfall-triggered floods in Somalia have claimed the lives of at least 31 people, an increase from the previous toll of 29, according to authorities on Sunday.
Regions including Hiran state in the center and Gedo in the south have been severely affected, displacing nearly half a million people since October.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned of a “once in 100 years” flood event, with potential disruption of the lives of 1.6 million people and destruction of 1.5 million hectares of farmland.
OCHA allocated $25 million to address the humanitarian impact, emphasizing the need for early warning and action to mitigate the large-scale displacement and property destruction expected.
The floods also impact neighboring Kenya, with the port city of Mombasa and the northeastern counties of Mandera and Wajir experiencing severe consequences.
The situation highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the devastating impact of the floods on communities in the region.