Flooding Update
The most recent new incident of flooding has been reported from Gode zone, Somali Region, where more than 60,000 people have reportedly been affected by floods in Kelafo, Mustahil, Hargele and Charati woredas. The Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS), regional Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau (DPPB) and humanitarian partners conducted assessments in the affected areas, including aerial assessments, which show that some 800 homes have been destroyed, and schools, sanitation facilities, health posts and crops damaged. Among the most immediate needs are for food, health (including insecticide treated net (ITNs) and anti-malaria drugs), water, sanitation and hygiene, and education. The NGOs Merlin, CHF, ADRA and Islamic Relief, as well as UNICEF and WHO, are responding on the ground. The Regional Health Bureau (RHB) has relocated mobile health teams to Mustahil and Charati to strengthen health care, while UNICEF has provided emergency drugs, water treatment chemicals and high energy biscuits for distribution to malnourished children. A multi-agency coordination forum has been reactivated to facilitate response and preparedness activities. Preliminary reports also indicate that Ferfer woreda (Gode zone) and Dolo Bay woreda (Afder zone) have also been affected. While the impact of the most recent floods have been substantial - and concern has been raised as flooding is usually seen later in the year (October) - they have not been as severe as the earlier flooding that affected the same vicinity in May-June.
Heavy rains on 13 and 14 September also caused new flooding in Gambella Zuria, Lare and Itang woredas of Gambella region. The regional Disaster Preparedness and Food Security office (DPFS) conducted a preliminary assessment of Gambella Zuria on 15 August and is in process of updating information on the impact of flooding in Lare and Itang. The road to Lare has been cut off as a result of the flooding this week. However, repairs to reopen the road are ongoing. DRMFSS provided food and non-food items including 150 quintals of rice, 50 quintals of corn-soya-blend, 25 quintals of biscuits, plastic plates and cooking pots.
Overall, the regions most affected by flooding since August remain Amhara and Afar; some parts of Oromia, Tigray and SNNPR have also been affected. According to DRMFSS, some 50,755 flood-induced internally displaced persons (IDPs) have received food assistance and 86,752 flood-affected people have benefitted from shelter and non-food items. DRMFSS has provided seeds to Tigray and SNNPR, as well as support to rehabilitate infrastructure damaged by flooding in Tigray. For more information, contact: ocha-eth@un.org or kmcdonald@unicef.org.