OCHA Situation Report
Somalia: Floods
7 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Main Developments

During the week, IDPs were evicted from public buildings in Baidoa and 
moved to two sites in Baidoa town. Pastoralists who have lost livestock 
during the flooding over the last month are reportedly joining these 
IDPs, who over the last days have been affected by heavy rains in Baidoa 
and are in need of shelter and food. UNICEF has already begun moving 
NFIs to the two sites.

UNICEF has agreed to act as lead agency for flood response in Lower 
Juba. UNICEF is already the lead agency in Jowhar (Middle Shabelle), 
while CARE in taking the lead in Lower Shabelle; the Somali Red Crescent 
Society (SRCS) in Hiran; and World Vision in Buale (Middle Juba).

UNOSAT has released estimates of hectares underwater in Middle/Lower 
Juba and Middle/Lower Shabelle. The most heavily inundated districts are 
in the districts of Jamame (1582ha underwater), Jilib (1669ha 
underwater) and Buale (1470ha underwater) of Middle and Lower Juba.

Developments Along the Shabelle River

Beletweyne (Hiran) - OCHA field reports indicate that many parts of the 
town and nearby villages are still inundated, with hygiene/sanitation 
conditions in the IDP settlements reportedly deteriorating due to too 
few water distribution points, inadequate numbers of latrines, and poor 
sanitation awareness. Reports from health facilities report an increase 
in cases of watery diarrhea and bloody diarrhea, especially among 
children under five. With the immediate emergency needs adequately met, 
there is now a need to shift the reponse to more programmatic 
interventions targeting diarrhea and related health risks. Save the 
Children-UK, in collaboration with ECHO, is conducting an assessment on 
collapsed latrines and shallow wells in Beletweyne in order to develop 
an intervention plan. UNICEF provided 4,000 ITNs (1,000 for DRC and 
3,000 for SC-UK) for distribution in Beletweyne and Bulo Burti districts 
in recent days. MSF constructed 100 latrines in El-Jale and 115km areas.

Jalalaqsi (Hiran) - River levels are dropping but water is continuing to 
flow back into the river from the flood plain. On 4 December, UNICEF 
completed the distribution of Family Relief Kits, BP5 biscuits, 
blankets, NFIs, ITNs, and chlorine drums to 680 families in 11 villages 
surrounding Jalalaqsi town.

Balad (Middle Shabelle) - River levels remain high. UNICEF has completed 
its recent distribution of blankets, NFIs and ITNs in Balad district 
through Farjano foundation. OCHA field staff report that many 
communities in Balad district remain in critical need of food assistance 
and emergency NFIs.

Jowhar (Middle Shabelle) - SRCS reports that more than 15 previously 
unaffected villages on the east side of Jowhar are becoming isolated by 
spreading floodwater from Balad and Jowhar, affecting an estimated 
20,000 people. Roads linking the villages to Jowhar, Balad and Mahadey 
are becoming cut off. SRCS is reporting that the villages are suffering 
from food shortages and are lacking shelter and clean water; there are 
reports of increasing presence of crocodiles. The newly affected 
communities are drinking water from the contaminated river and 
floodwater. SRCS will undertake chlorination activities in these 
villages but the families need mosquito nets and shelter materials. It 
is reported that stocks in the Jowhar area are almost completely 
depleted. UNICEF is awaiting stocks and will deliver blankets and 
plastic sheeting in the coming days.Water/sanitation interventions are 
urgently needed in Congo/Garage. With normal water sources inundated, 
displaced families are resorting to standing floodwaters, increasing the 
risk of diarrhea and malaria.

Developments Along the Juba River

Jilib (Middle Juba) - Approximately 300 families are reported stranded 
on elevated ground in Jilib district (near Badwi, Bilaq Marow and Busey 
villages) for more than a week, inaccessible by boat and in urgent need 
of assistance. Three villages in the Haranaqa valley east of Jilib are 
reportedly newly inundated, with property and livestock lost. WFP has 
since October distributed 1,789mt of food in east and west Jilib, 
targeting 82,000 beneficiaries. Along with food, NFIs are a priority in 
Jilib.

Buale (Middle Juba) - WFP has begun distribution of 104mt food to 9,400 
beneficiaries.

Jamame (Lower Juba) - Numbers affected in Jamame are said to be rising 
and river levels remain high, with new flooding reported. Kabirow and 
Soo Dhowane villages (east bank) and Jiibeey (west bank) of Jamame 
district have been partially flooded since 5 December. Food distribution 
by WFP is ongoing in Jamame, with 1,057mt targeting 51,300 
beneficiaries. Along with food, NFIs are a priority in Jamame.

Kismayo (Lower Juba) - WFP is currently distributing 417mt to 23,200 
beneficiaries.

Access difficulties are continuing in the Gedo region, with nutrition 
interventions being delayed due to road conditions.

Information

New UNOSAT inundation maps by district and combined inundation maps are 
available on-line. All partners operational in flood-affected regions 
are encouraged to access on-line SWALIM and UNOSAT maps and to print 
these maps as needed for distribution in the field.

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -