(25-11-23) MOGADISHU – In a sombre press briefing in Mogadishu on Saturday, Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, Commissioner of the National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), shed light on the catastrophic impact of the recent autumn floods in Somalia, exacerbated by the militant group Al-Shabaab’s interference.
The Commissioner announced a distressing death toll of 96 due to the floods, with a particularly devastating incident reported from the Jamame district in the Lower Jubba region. In this harrowing event, 28 individuals fleeing Al-Shabaab’s control tragically lost their lives when their boat capsized, a direct result of the group denying them safe passage.
The floods have also taken a severe toll on the region’s agricultural livelihood, with an estimated 4,000 livestock lost, over two million people have been affected by the torrential rains that continue to lash Somalia, with nearly 900,000 displaced. Material damages, including the destruction of homes and vehicles, are currently estimated at around $200,000.
SoDMA’s relief efforts are concentrated in the most affected areas, including Gedo and the inundated town of Beledweyne. However, delivering aid to Al-Shabaab-controlled territories like Jilib and Jamame, the latter being the site of the tragic boat accident, remains a formidable challenge. These areas are largely inaccessible to aid workers, significantly hampering disaster response and humanitarian efforts.
The ongoing crisis in Somalia, marked by natural disasters and exacerbated by militant activities, highlights a dire need for comprehensive and unhindered humanitarian assistance. The federal government’s current efforts, while commendable, face obstacles that call for broader support and strategic approaches to effectively reach all affected regions.
Halqabsi News
