Somalia is in urgent need of humanitarian aid as about 706,100 people are temporarily affected, while over 113,690 have been displaced from their homes due to flash floods in Jubbaland.

Development Diaries reports that up to 400 families (2,400 people) are believed to be trapped by floods in Luuq and efforts are ongoing to urgently evacuate them.

Thousands of people are still trapped in flooded areas. This exposes thousands to numerous health and safety risks as floods increase the chance of an outbreak.

Somalia has greatly suffered from the grave impacts of the ongoing global climate crisis, despite contributing little to greenhouse emissions.

The country is still grappling with the impact of climate change and has suffered four consecutive drought seasons, recording about 43,000 deaths from the crises in 2022 alone.

In a recent situation update, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Luuq Godey, Minyara, Gumaro and surrounding villages in Luuq District have recorded devastating impacts from the floods.

At least 14 people have died and 47,000 have been displaced in flash floods across Somalia since last October, OCHA said in an earlier statement.

In Baardheere, local authorities are appealing for urgent support for more than 14,000 families that have been cut off from the main town and are unable to replenish their domestic supplies.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Jama, has declared a state of emergency for the people affected by the floods, while the Somali Disaster Management Agency ( SoDMA) has issued warnings and advisories for floods ahead of the coming weeks.

Development Diaries calls on SoDMA and other relevant government agencies to ensure an immediate response to the needs of those affected by the floods is achieved.

Photo source: OCHA