OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Somalia: Floods
24 November 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Background

Upstream water levels of both the Shabelle and Juba rivers have 
reportedly decreased and there is little rain forecasted for Somalia and 
the Ethiopian highlands in the coming days, with the exception of the 
coastal regions. That said, risk of flooding remains in the lower 
reaches of both rivers.

In Middle and Lower Juba in particular, water from the flood plain is 
expected to drain back into the Juba river basin. Additionally, reported 
high water flow from the Laaq Dheere river, which originates in Kenya 
and merges with the Juba, will contribute to heightened river levels in 
the Juba lower reaches. Concerns of continued severe flooding in Jamame 
and Jilib districts remain high.

Two helicopters have been secured by WFP which will offer additional and 
much need air logistics support to humanitarian actors in response to 
the floods. The helicopters are presently in Nairobi but will be moved 
to Somalia in the coming days. It is anticipated that the helicopters 
will be ready for relief operations later next week.

Developments along the Shabelle River

While the situation in Hiran region has stabilized, there are high 
concerns surrounding sanitation conditions. Wells and latrines in 
Beletweyne are reported as flooded and silted over.

With concerns of water borne diseases, today UNICEF commenced 
sanitation, hygiene and chlorination training for 30 volunteers from 
local partners (Somali Red Crescent Society, Hapochild and Hiran Water 
Supply) involved in water/sanitation activities. WHO is continuing 
surveillance of diarrhoeal cases from emergency health centres 
established on the outskirts of Beletweyne town, especially of displaced 
population areas in El-Jale and Janta-Kundisho, and 115 KM. 
International Medical Corps continues health interventions in Beletweyne 
district through 25 health posts, two Mother and Child Health center, 
one health emergency centre in Jenta Kundishe/Eel-Jaale, as well as two 
mobile teams of Expanded Programme on Immunization. The latter 
vaccinated 205 children of under five in Aqaboy and Trechanta villages.

145 metric tons of food aid has been delivered by CARE to Beletweyne 
from Dushamareb (Galgadud region) for distribution to 1,356 households. 
More food is also being loaded in Mogadishu for distribution in 
Beletweyne, Bulo Burti and Jalalaqsi. In total, CARE will target 23,395 
households in the three districts.

Developments along the Juba River

Yesterday's aerial reconnaissance indicated a very serious situation in 
parts of Middle and Lower Juba and historical trends indicate that the 
worse flooding along the Juba is yet to come. The aerial reconnaissance 
observed the area between Kamsuma and Fanole as being of most concern. 
Entire settlements are under water with communities completely cut off 
and having moved to higher grounds living in makeshift shelter. In some 
areas, the flood plain was estimated between 5-10 Kms wide.

All partners operational in flood-affected regions are encouraged to 
access on-line SWALIM and UNOSAT maps:

http://www.faoswalim.org/viewpage.php?PageID=bf88c2a7f49ef5e5d35f474df4464d25

http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/asp/prod_free.asp?id=28

For further information, contact:

Molly McCloskey or Rita Maingi at +254 (20) 375 4150-5

Agencies and partners are encouraged to send updates and information from
field reports to Matthew Olins
olins@un.org and Molly McCloskey mccloskeym@un.org


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