State leaders appeal for emergency response to stave off floods impact

Federal state leaders have appealed for humanitarian response to support thousands of Somalis displaced by floods in the country echoing the Federal Government’s call.

The Council of Inter-State Cooperation said in a statement Sunday the floods have displaced thousands across the country robbing populations of livelihoods and exposing them to hunger and disease.

“The floods have seriously affected all basic services and livelihoods of people living along riverine areas destroying homes, food stocks, crops, water wells, schools and bridge and displaced more than 15,000 households,” the statement read in part.

The Council headed by Puntland leader Abdiweli Gaas urged Somalis and the international community to step in to avert further crisis.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government, traders, Somalis locally abroad and international organisations for humanitarian assistance in HirShabelle state hit by floods in the Shabelle River.

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Thousands of families in Beletweyne region are still evacuating from their homes as the floods inundate the whole town. The UN Humanitarian agency OCHA warned Thursday heavy rains would still pound various parts of the country in the coming weeks.

Prime Minister Hassan Khaire yesterday formed a 22 member team to spearhead the emergency response in the country. Over 400,000 people have so far been displaced.