OCHA Situation Report
Somalia: Floods
8 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Main Developments

The Shabelle river has now joined the Juba river, flowing into it on the 
east side (while flood waters are coming from the west) at Kamsuma, 
where it has diverted from its natural course. According to SWALIM, this 
confluence is continuing to the sea. This development poses serious risk 
of increased flooding to the areas surrounding the convergence of the 
two rivers.

Above-normal rains fell in Gedo and Juba over the last couple of days. 
Baidoa received heavy rains (107mm) early in the week. Light rains were 
reported in the last couple of days in Beletweyne and Bulo Burti 
(Hiran), Jowhar (Middle Shabelle) and in some areas of Lower Shabelle. 
The forecast for the coming three days is for light rain over much of 
southern Somalia, with light to moderate rains over Middle/Lower 
Shabelle. The El Nino conditions that have been in effect since 
September are, according to SWALIM, said to have a 92% probability of 
remaining through January.

In an effort to enhance logistics planning and ensure optimal programme 
prioritization and response, the inter-agency Flood Working Group in 
Nairobi has agreed that weekly updates on regional priorities/needs will 
be communicated. For the present, response priorities lie in Middle Juba 
(especially Jilib) and Lower Juba (especially Jamame), where acute, 
life-saving interventions are needed. Priorities are: shelter items, 
ITNs, NFIs, relief food, water treatment and hygiene promotion, malaria 
response coordination, mobile health team outreach and rapid 
assessments. In Hiran, priority lies with water/sanitation interventions 
(a rise in cases of diarrhea is being reported) and in medical supplies. 
In Middle/Lower Shabelle, shelter items, water and sanitation 
interventions, nutrition surveillance/response and provision of seeds 
and tools are prioritized.

In relation to the above, WFP/UNHAS will carry out daily prioritisation 
of air cargo movement requests. Vital cargo for the support of the air 
operation will be flown as a priority above, eg, aviation fuel (where 
surface deliveries are not possible), spare parts, etc. All agencies and 
NGOs operating their own air assets are urged, once again, to ensure 
that adequate early liaison with relevant authorities in Somalia takes 
place prior to the arrival of a flight.

Developments Along the Shabelle River

The local flood committee of Middle Shabelle region distributed 
purchased and donated food supplies (maize, rice, oil, dates) from 
Islamic charities in Mogadishu between 30 November-7 December to 4,500 
families in 19 villages, mainly in Mahadey and Jowhar. The deliveries 
used Centre for Education and Development (CED) boats. Food needs in 
Middle Shabelle are said to remain unmet.

Bulo Burti (Hiran) - Agencies and local authorities are expressing 
concern that the bridge linking north and south Somalia is at risk of 
collapse and in urgent need of repair. DRC and SRCS distributed plastic 
sheets, ITNs and blankets to 2,423 families in Bulo Burti district. Bulo 
Burti Islamic Courts have formed an emergency flood committee and has 
distributed plastic sheeting and 1200 ITNs.

Jalalaqsi (Hiran) - UNICEF and partners have begun hygiene/sanitation 
workshops in Jalalaqsi, focusing particularly on provision of safe 
drinking water.

Congo/Bulo Sheikh (Middle Shabelle) - OCHA and UNICEF report that people 
in these villages are drinking from stagnant and contaminated 
floodwater. Diarrhea is a major health concern. There is an urgent need 
for well rehabilitation, water tablets, construction of latrines and 
training on hygiene/sanitation.

Developments Along the Juba River

SWALIM reports that river levels at upstream stations at Luuq and 
Bardheere (Gedo region) increased slightly in the last two days.

Coordination and Funding

Twenty-three donors attended the launch of the flood response appeal in 
Geneva on 6 December. Donor response to date includes a pledge by the 
Norwegian government for DKK6 million (approx. US$1million) for 
emergency livestock interventions and a pledge by Sida for SEK5 million 
(approx. US$734,000) to UNICEF for water, sanitation and health 
interventions.

Operational partners can access on-line information on UNHAS and UNCAS 
passenger and cargo booking procedures on the Logistics Cluster website. 
The address is:http://www.logisticscluster.org/home/

Also accessible on-line are SWALIM and UNOSAT maps of flood-affected 
regions:

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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