Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire on Monday formed a 22 member committee to respond to the effects of flooding that has hit the riverine regions of the country affecting thousands of people, Radio Dalsan reports.
Khaire convened an emergency meeting a day after the Hiraan region town of Beledweyne was submerged and appointed the Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled to head the team.
“Somali PM H.E Hassan Khaire has convened an urgent meeting with the cabinet sub-committee on social services, religious leaders, business community and international partners to highlight the humanitarian crisis caused by the flood in different parts of the country. He urged the aforementioned parties to urgently mobilize resources and respond to said emergency to save lives and prevent deterioration of the current crisis” a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister partly said.
More than 427,000 people have been affected as of 26 April and of these nearly 175,000 have been displaced as a result of the flash and river flooding in Hirshabelle, South West and Jubaland states as well as Banadir region, according to data collected by humanitarian partners.
Unlike in 2017 when the rains were poor, the above average Gu rains in April this year are already worsening conditions in overcrowded Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) settlements and displacing more people along riverine areas due to flooding
In Baidoa, half of the estimated more than 246,000 IDPs, are at the risk of flash flooding…In Galgadud region, heavy rains resulted in flash floods that destroyed IDPs shelters in settlements in low lying land in Abudwaq town.An estimated 9,300 displaced people in Danwadaag, Kulmiye and Wadajir settlements have been affected and an unknown number has moved to Cadaado town until flooding recedes.
In Jubaland, an estimated 28,200 people have been displaced by flash flooding. This includes 8,000 in Saakow; 6,000 in Bu’ale; 6,000 in Luuq; 6,000 in Afmadow; 1,200 in Ceel Waaq villages and some 7,000 people in Jilib and Jamaame riverine areas who have been temporarily displaced to nearby highland areas.
In Middle Shabelle, the Shabelle River burst its banks displacing people in Horseed area. Farms and IDP shelter were washed away. Some 7,000 affected people have moved to Hantiwadaag village in Jowhar. According to aid workers  an estimated 13,000 have been affected by flooding.
In Hiraan region, thousands of people have been affected after the Shabelle River burst its banks and its inlets overflowed into parts of Beledweyne town and several riverine villages inundating houses and crops.
