OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Somalia: Floods
23 November 2006


This report is based on information received from OCHA Somalia . (1)

Situation

1. The first flights into Somalia from Kenya carrying relief supplies
arrived on 17 November, with Save the Children (UK) delivering 22 mt of
Non-Food Items to Beletweyne (Hiran region), which were distributed by
the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS). Several roads remain impassable,
hindering delivery of relief supplies. Three requests have been made for
CERF funds totalling US$5.3 million to help with rapid emergency flood
response: WFP (air operations), FAO (emergency livelihood support) and
OCHA Somalia (on behalf of humanitarian agencies). Cluster leads are
expected to finalize flood response plans this week.

2. The Somalia Water and Land Information Management System (SWALIM)
reported that El Nino conditions are expected to strengthen between the
end of November and the end of December, raising chances of increased
rainfall, particularly over the Jubas. Forecasts are still for the worst
flooding in a fifty-year return period in some regions (Lower Shabelle,
Beletweyne) and for the worst in a ten-year return period in others
(reflecting river levels rather than amount of rainfall). It is
estimated that to date 300,000 people have been affected by the flooding
on both Shabelle and Juba rivers. According to a report of Agence France
Presse, nine people have been killed by crocodiles and the death toll
from the last three weeks of flooding is an estimated 52.

3. In Lower/Middle Juba, Buale, Jilib, Jamame, Dobley, Afmadow and
Marere remain heavily flooded, while the situation in Lower/Middle
Shabelle so far remains relatively stable. Following a CERF contribution
of US$2.8 million, WFP has capacity to do ad hoc flights if it receives
requests and cargo. The extent and required cargo capacity on planes is
so far uncertain due to the lack of consolidated lists of Non-Food Items
(NFIs). Meanwhile, WFP trucks remain stranded in Afmadow and near
Mogambo due to flooded roads and broken bridges. A mine action NGO has
reported that mines being dislodged by flooding should not be of major
concern, as movement of mines is not significant during floods. However,
areas of concern do exist, namely Jowhar and the border near Beletweyne.

National and International Response

4. In Mogadishu, the authorities have established a flood committee,
which is meeting with aid agencies. Future operational concerns must be
focused on the Jubas. The need for prepositioning is critical, before
more roads become impassable, and water and sanitation interventions are
a priority. Several agencies have agreed to undertake an assessment in
Jilib and Jamame, pending availability of boats and vehicles. Meanwhile,
WFP conducted an aerial survey over the weekend from south of Beletweyne
to Jowhar, where local authorities promised unconditional cooperation.
In addition, an ad hoc aerial survey of the Shabelle and Juba rivers is
planned for this week.

5. The Emergency Relief and Flood Committee in Mogadishu has appealed in
a communique to all UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs and donors to intervene
urgently with humanitarian assistance and has promised its 'full
cooperation'. An assessment of Jilib (West Bank) was completed by AFREC,
and FSAU has shared informal field observations from the Jubas based on
reports from analysts in Afmadow and Hagar.

Developments along the Shabelle River

Kurtunwarey District

The two worst villages affected being Buulo Xaaji and Mustaqbal. Buulo
Xaaji is reportedly completely flooded and the population of the village
(estimate 50hh) is totally displaced; an estimated 700hh have been
displaced from Mustaqbal. Access to the area is apparently extremely
difficult.

Beletweyne District

Save the Children's first two shipments of NFIs arrived in Beletweyne on
17 November. UNICEF trucks carrying NFIs to Beletweyne from Bossaso and
Hargeisa are in the process of delivering NFIs to assist 24,000 people
in Hiran.

Jowhar District

UNICEF is coordinating the response and is the lead agency in Jowhar.
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Jowhar and other parts of
Middle Shabelle will likely head to Mogadishu and possibly to other
parts of Benadir and/or Lower Shabelle to seek temporary shelter. All
agencies in Mogadishu are preparing for this.

Developments along the Juba River

Middle Juba

Jilib - Fourteen villages west of Jilib district are estimated to be
totally displaced. The remaining 58 villages are partially flooded. The
Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) unofficial estimated a total of
11,000hh of riverine Jilib district are affected. Ninety percent of
flooding is affecting the west bank region. Fears are rising over a
possible disease outbreak as suspected cases of Cholera/dysentery have
been reported. Increase in cases of diarrhoea in Jilib is a major
concern. Food shortages have been reported, as roads from Kismayo are
impassable. Barrages and other forms of water containment are reportedly
threatening to burst. OCHA field reports indicate a decline in water
level, especially in the north of Jilib, with huge amount of water
draining back into the river.

Lower Juba

Afmadow/Hagar - Flooding and heavy rainfall. All roads reported
impassable, except by tractors and donkey-carts. There are fears of
evacuation from Afmadow town. FSAU unofficial estimated total
displacement from Hagar district is 2,000hh. Oxfam has confirmed 3
deaths (children) in Afmadow due to diarrhoea. Horn Relief is working on
chlorination in 3 villages.

Dobley - World Relief Refugee Services (WRRS) has reported that most of
the rural areas around Dobley are flooded. WFP has provided food
assistance in Dobley town but has been unable to access surrounding
villages.

Jamame - All basins of Mallayley, Borini, Marashoy, Bulo Mamo, Kamsuma,
Yontoi, Makalango and Mugambo are flooded and floodwater has reached the
coastal sand dune area. UNICEF is working with Juba Shine and other
partners in Jamame (and with World Vision International in Buale) in
chlorination and hygiene promotion, and is seeking more partners in
Middle/Lower Juba, especially for water and sanitation projects.

The Food Security Analysis Unit unofficial estimates of displaced
populations are 8,000hh in Buale, 2,000hh in Salagle, and 3,000hh in
Sakow. In Salagle and Sakow, it is estimated that all Gu off-season
crops have been destroyed. All three districts also reported significant
loss of Deyr crops.

Footnote:

(1) The information in this document is consolidated from reports and
field information from a variety of sources including UN agencies, NGOs
and government partners.

Telephone:+41-22-91712 34 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel.  +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  GVA - Mr. Martijn Viersma
    E-mail: viersmam@un.org
    Direct Tel.+41-22-917 1518

  NYC - Ms. Federica D'Andreagiovanni
    E-mail: dandreagiovannif@un.org
    Direct Tel. + 1-917 367 2236

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917-367 51 26

OCHA Somalia:
  Mr. Matthew Olins, Deputy Head of Office
    E-mail: olins@un.org, Tel. +254 20 375 4150/4155

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