UN says 800,000 Somalis threatened by flooding displacement

The United Nations migration agency warned on Wednesday that more than 800,000 people in Somalia could be displaced in the coming three months due to severe flooding. The country is currently entering its rainy season, which is expected to bring above-average rainfall, exacerbated by the strengthening El Nino weather phenomenon.

According to new projections by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Danish Refugee Council, 874,319 individuals could be uprooted between October and December, with 92% of the projected displacement attributed to flooding.

Manuel Marques Pereira, the IOM's chief of mission for Somalia, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that hundreds of thousands of people could lose their homes within a matter of weeks. Many of these families have already experienced displacement before and have limited resources to rely on. Pereira highlighted the urgency to reduce the impact of the impending disaster, noting that the window to prevent further displacement is rapidly closing.

To address the crisis, IOM urgently requires funding to assist people in safeguarding their homes and livelihoods, relocating if necessary, and preventing another cycle of displacement. The agency has only secured 14% of the US$16.62 million needed to prepare for and respond to El Nino-related flooding.

Signs of flooding are already evident, with rivers nearing flood levels, reaching the tops of their banks, and homes being damaged by heavy rainfall. Beyond the immediate threat to homes, rising floodwaters could destroy crops, contaminate water sources, and disrupt access to essential services. The IOM is urgently appealing for international support to bolster preparedness efforts before the floodwaters arrive.

The United Nations World Meteorological Organization has stated that the current El Nino could be unprecedented in strength. The UN aid chief further warned that Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya require supplies in the next two weeks to mitigate the impending heavy rains.