Floods displace 100,000 people, destroy 40,000ha of farmlands in Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|HIRSHABELLE: At least 100,000 people in Somalia have been uprooted from their homes by floods since April, the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA has said.

According to the UN body, Jowhar district is the most affected with 66,000 people forced out of their homes followed by Beletweyne where 22,000 people have since been displaced. In total, OCHA said, 400,000 have been affected by the floods while over 40,000 farmlands have been destroyed.

The floods which began in April destroyed 40,000 hectares of farmland in Jowhard while in Beletwyene 1,235 hectares have also been destroyed by the floods.

OCHA however said humanitarian partners have moved in reaching at least 82,000 affected people with lifesaving assistance including food, water and sanitation, hygiene, health and shelter.

Prime Minister Mohamed Roble visited Jowhar on Thursday to assess the situation. The Middle Shabelle region has witnessed perennial destruction as a result of floods caused by heavy rains in southern Ethiopian highlands and outburst of the Shabelle river.