Somalia Humanitarian Fund allocates $15 million to support communities at highest risk of El Niño-induced flooding

Mogadishu, 12 October 2023 – The Somalia Humanitarian Fund has allocated USD15 million to respond to the impact of projected El Niño-induced flooding on communities at greatest risk.

Climate models have predicted a 90 per cent certainty of El Niño in Somalia, likely to influence heavy rains and flooding during the current Deyr (October to December) rainy seasons. Humanitarian partners estimate that about 1.2 million people living in riverine areas are likely to be affected and more than 1.5 million hectares of land damaged by the heavy rains and floods.

This $15 million allocation as prioritized by the Humanitarian Coordinator in August focuses on early action and response to the impact of projected El Niño-induced floods on the most vulnerable communities in Hirshabelle (Middle Shabelle and Hiraan regions) and Jubaland (Gedo Region), which have historically experienced the significant impact of flooding in Somalia.

The humanitarian community and partners are working closely with authorities at both the Federal and State levels to complete preparedness and response activities, guided by emergency preparedness and response plans developed at different levels. Regular monitoring of river water levels and early and adequate prepositioning of emergency items, such as sandbags and other flood protection items, are also ongoing.

Partners have raised concerns about the current funding shortfall impacting effective preparedness and response. With only three months remaining in the year, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which seeks $2.6 billion, is only 37 per cent funded. Additional funding is critical to sustain the response and to address anticipated risks, including the impact of El Niño.

Notes to editors

The Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) is managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It allows donors to pool their contributions to support the highest priority humanitarian work. Combining flexibility and strategic focus, the fund ensures timely allocation and disbursement of resources, enable humanitarian action and strengthen coordination. For more information about the SHF and Somalia crisis, visit https://www.unocha.org/somalia or follow @SHF_Somalia.

For more information, please contact

Karen Smith, SHF Manager and Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit, smith3@un.org, Cell +252(0)612922133.
Yao Chen, SHF Communication Officer, yao.chen@un.org, Cell +254 732391050.
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.relief.int