OCHA Situation Report
Somali Region: Floods
3 May 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The number of confirmed dead and missing continues to rise following the 
devastating floods that have submerged parts of Somali Region after the 
Wabe Shebelle river burst its banks overnight on the 23 April. Thousands 
more remain homeless and emergency relief teams are hampered in their 
efforts to provide assistance as many areas remain inaccessible and 
there is poor communication.

Following forty-eight hours of torrential rains from 23 April in the 
highlands of Oromiya and the lowlands of Somali regions, the Wabe 
Shebelle river burst its banks. This sudden inundation caused a serious 
loss of human and animal lives, displacement of people and damage to 
crops, property, wells and road infrastructure. To date, more than 100 
people are reported dead while many more remain missing. Initial 
assessments confirmed about 21,000 households or 105,000 people have 
been affected and have lost houses and properties. More than 50,000 
livestock have died. Some areas are unable to report damages yet because 
of communication problems. It is expected that number of people affected 
will continue to increase especially if rains continue.

The affected areas include West Imi, East Imi and Mustahil district in 
Gode and Afder zones. Other areas that have been affected by heavy rains 
include Korahae zone, in particular Kebridehar town, Degehabur, 
Kebribeyah in Jijiga zone and the IDP camps of Fafan and Hartsheikh. 
Other areas are likely to be affected as well but remain isolated.

Emergency Response

The emergency response is largely hindered as roads leading to the 
affected areas are still under water. However, UN Agencies, ICRC and 
NGOs present in the affected areas immediately offered limited 
assistance to the flood victims they could reach. OCHA is coordinating 
the UN interventions with the local authorities and the Federal Disaster 
Prevention & Preparedness Commission (DPPC), identifying priority areas 
and needs.

On 26 April, the Regional Flood Response Group (which includes UNICEF, 
OCHA, regional bureaus and NGOs) met to discuss coordination mechanisms 
and identified food, shelter, blankets and household utensils as the 
priority needs. The potential increase of cases of malaria and 
waterborne diseases is calling for immediate action on water 
purification and medical care.  On April 28 the Somali Regional Crisis 
Management Committee met in Jijiga to share and coordinate information 
and develop a response plan. On April 29 the FDPPC started airlifting 
high protein biscuits, shelter materials, jerry cans and household 
utensils from their stores in Dire Dawa to Gode. However the transport 
of relief supplies from Gode to flooded areas has been hindered by the 
delay of fuel delivery for the helicopters.

On 2 April the Regional President declared a state of emergency and said 
it was beyond the capacity of the region and appealed for urgent further 
assistance.

OCHA has prepared a Somali Flood Emergency Matrix which will be updated 
daily and regularly posted on the OCHA web site and emailed to concerned 
partners. Please see attached the latest version. The WFP map is also 
available online at www.ocha-eth.org

For further information please contact: Kirsten Mildren, OCHA 
Communications Officer, Tel: 444162 / 09641031 E-mail: mildren@un.org

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