FAO, HirShabelle appeal for urgent aid as floods wreak havoc in Hiiraan region

GOOBJOOG NEWS|HIIRAAN: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and HirShabelle state government have appealed for scaled-up humanitarian assistance in light of the floods that have displaced over 200,000 people in the Shabelle River basin.

The two said in a joint statement the humanitarian crisis in Hiiraan region was set to escalate unless urgent interventions are put in place. Around 79% of Beletweyne is flooded.

“We’re witnessing the Shabelle River’s worst flooding event in the last thirty years, the situation for many displaced families is very precarious right now,” said Ezana Kassa, FAO’s Head of Programme in Somalia.

Kassa added that livelihoods have been destroyed and the risk of waterborne diseases is on the rise dealing a blow to farmers who were anticipating a better harvest after three years of drought.

HirShabelle humanitarian affairs minister Asha Khalif Mohamed reiterated the call for international support noting that the state government had provided emergency supplies to affected people.

““We need to be ready to bring in what people need as soon as flood waters recede, prevent disease outbreaks and also help people get back on their feet through livelihood interventions,” Mohamed said.

FAO said the current flooding is the worst since 1991.