Floods Claim 29 Lives, Over 300,000 Displaced, says SoDMA

(08/11/23) MOGADISHU – Somalia is grappling with the aftermath of torrential Deyr seasonal rains that have led to destruction and loss of life, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SODMA) reported. According to the latest press release from SODMA, since the beginning of October 2023, the rains have severely impacted several regions, claiming 29 lives and displacing over 305,000 people.

The downpours have inundated vast areas of the country, particularly in the southern and central states of Galmudug, HirShabelle, South West, and Jubaland. In Jubaland alone, towns like Luuq, Dolow, and Garbahaarey are among the worst hit, with reported fatalities and significant numbers of displaced citizens.

SODMA, with support from the United Nations, has initiated a rapid response, dispatching essential supplies to assist more than 300 families and deploying boats and engines for rescue operations in the city of Luuq. Medicines to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases are also being distributed.

The agency has issued a nationwide appeal for heightened vigilance as the season progresses, and forecasts suggest the situation may deteriorate further. An urgent call for support has been made to the Somali people, businesses, clerics, the Federal Government, and humanitarian agencies to intensify relief and rescue efforts.

In its concluding remarks, SODMA urges all Somalis to pay close attention to warning messages and to cooperate with local and international agencies working to mitigate the effects of this natural disaster.