Flood in Somalia

Flash floods in Somalia are now affecting over 460,000 people according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Flooding began in March, after three years of drought, but in early May the Shabelle River burst its banks, flooding the town of Beledweyne in the centre of the country. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations estimated that 79% of the city was flooded, and over 250,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes. It was described as the worst flooding the country has experienced since 1991.

22 people are reported to have been killed since March, and the floods have damaged both infrastructure and agriculture, washing away houses, crops and livestock.

Scientists have continuously warned of the consequences of climate change as the global temperature increases exponentially. Humanitarian emergencies have become more frequent and more people are falling victim to the climate crisis.