Emergency Update on Somali Region Floods - 3 May 2005

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