- UN issues “once-in-a-century event” warning amid Somalia floods.
- The UN has allocated $25 million in aid for the affected regions.
- The heavy rains are expected to potentially destroy 1.5m hectares of farmland.
The United Nations has issued a warning that over 1.6 million people in Somalia could face the impact of unusually heavy seasonal rains, describing the floods as a “once-in-a-century event.”
The UN has allocated $25 million in aid for the affected regions. At least 29 people have been reported dead, and over 300,000 have been displaced, with ongoing rainfall increasing the risk of further damage.
The heavy rains, exacerbated by the El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole climate phenomena, are expected to potentially destroy 1.5 million hectares of farmland.
The UN humanitarian agency highlighted the challenges in rescue efforts due to cut roads and emphasized the need to address the looming humanitarian crisis in vulnerable communities.
The flooding in Somalia follows a period of severe drought, making the country particularly susceptible to the impact of extreme weather events.
Other East African nations, including Kenya and Ethiopia, have also experienced flash floods, resulting in casualties and displacements.
Somalia declared an emergency in the most affected states, and the forecast indicates continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, exacerbating the existing crisis.
