UN to provide Somalia $15 Million for Flood mitigation
Mogadishu (QJ) – The United Nations (UN) has allocated $15 million in U.S. dollars to assist in addressing the impacts of the El Nino-related floods in Somalia, as reported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The relief efforts will primarily be focused on the regions most affected by the pending rainy season, especially in Hirshabelle and Jubaland. These areas have faced the severest consequences of floods in recent history, and the number of people suffering from the crisis has reached an alarming level. OCHA has included this information in its latest humanitarian update released this week.
“Urgent action is needed to prevent widespread suffering. Humanitarian responders estimate that large numbers of people in affected areas are at risk of acute food insecurity. OCHA reported an extensive financial appeal to support efforts to alleviate the suffering of affected populations.”
As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), over 1.2 million people living in flood areas will be severely affected by heavy rainfall. Furthermore, around 1.5 million hectares of farmland are at risk of being wiped out.
OCHA indicates that humanitarian actors are working closely with local authorities and national disaster management agencies to reduce the impact of the severe El Nino-induced heavy rainfall, which is expected to peak between October and December.