Number of newly displaced people: 10,000 (at least 220,000 total confirmed displaced)
Villages newly reported abondoned or destroyed: More than 9,000 houses destroyed, 40 villages left
Villages reported to be cut off by water: Livestock reported killed since 15.11.: 11,000 +
Food stock destroyed: underground sorghum and general cereal reserves destroyed in huge quantities, tens of thousands of ha of farmland destroyed
Weather forecast:
Presently, above average sea-surface temperature over the northern Indian Ocian is said to have caused storm developments which is being drifted by easterly wind and continues to propagate storms over the Horn of Africa. Medium term (up to 20th November) weather forecast suggests that rainfall activities over much of Ethiopia will continue to increase, while the ongoing seasonal rainfall over southern and southeastern regions of Somalia will prolong, increase in amount, distribution and intensity (FEWS/Ethiopia). NMSA is predicting that the present system of rains will intensify and continue beyond November 20th.
New developments:
The Inter-Agency Somalia Flood Response has hired four mid-lift helicopters from South Africa to fly rescue missions into Somalia. One is said to arrive by Wednesday, 19. 11.97, operational from Friday - the other three should be in Nairobi by next Monday. Costs per helicopter: USD 162,000, operational costs per hour: USD 1,2000. - 10 boats from Norway are scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on Wednesday, 19.11. 97. (donated to UNICEF) ++++ Ms Bertini, Executive Director of WFP, is visiting the flood area on Monday, 17.11.97
Assistance provided: Relief supplies could be distributed over the weekend in a number of places:
14.11. , aid agencies and local committees: Belet Huen: distribution of supplies such as plastic sheetings, blankets, Chlorine, Jerrycans to more than 400 families.
14.11., UNICEF: Bardera: emergency distribution, by boat, of blankets and buiscits to the displaced
15.11., WFP: Bardera: 5 mt of buiscits and other dry foods, by boat, to the displaced
15.11/16.11.: UNICEF and Moslem Aid: 30 mt of relief supplies such as Supermix, BP5, resettlement kits, tarpaulins, Cholera kits, cooking pots, sanitation tools, cllapsible tanks etc. distributed to more than 2000 displaced families in Bulogudud and a smaller number of IDP families in Gobwein. The assistance reportedly reduced influx of displaced people to Kismayo. Presently Unicef support teams are preparing further intervention to provide chlorinated water, EPI team from Moslem Aid for vaccinations, WHO is establishing 2 fixed outposts with medical team, 4 nurses and other medical staff (medical supplies provided by UNICEF in place). Moslem Aid agreed with militia commanders and elders of both places to reinforce security of the area by removing all check points. Cooperation was promised. Local people in Kismayo are also contributing to the relief assistance by providing food and clothes for displaced.
EMOPS committee in Kismayo and UNICEF agreed to speed up assistance to displaced in Kismayo in co-operation with Moslem Aid. Distribution was scheduled for Sunday, 16.11.
15.11., UNICEF: In Jowhar and Balad districts social mobilization began with women groups who received basic information on flood preparedness.
15.11. UNICEF: Two trucks left from Mogadishu to Baidoa with relief
supplies and one medical doctor.
PLANE ROTATIONS:
15.11. UNICEF/WV Bardera/Buale 6mt of relief supplies (blankets and BP5) and 2 boats
15.11. ICRC Bardera 2 rotations with relief supplies
16.11. UNICEF Bardera 7 mt supplies: fuel, oil, engines, paxs, BP5 (WFP/UNICEF cargo)
16.11. UNICEF Bardera 4.8 mt BP5
16.11. ICRC Belet Huen Plastic sheeting for pit latrines
16.11. ICRC Balidogle BP5 to stock up for Jilib and Marere area/moved on by truck
* The ICRC is acting independently and is no member of the Somalia Inter-Agency Flood Response team, however, it is taking part in general co-ordination and co-operation.
Situation on the ground - Juba Valley:
The lower Juba Valley has been hit hardest by the flooding. The number of isolated places in urgent need of assistance/evacuation is very high and on the increase. Alarming reports have reached us over the weekend from Kismayo and its surrounding areas. Level of flood waters are reported to be on the increase due to inflow of new water from the Shabelle river. UNICEF reports that Yontoy is flooded, Kamsuma and Jamame have been evacuated alongside other villages. All villages along the east bank are reported to be under water including Mogambo, Manamofa, Kobamn, Fagan. The Kamsuma radio is operating from the top of a tree. Arare airstrip is under water. Many people are stranded. At the moment, 75% of the displaced are stationed at Bologudud and Gobwein (917 IDP families) and surrounding (250 families in El Sahil) , few moving to Kismayo - IDP families identified in Kismayo so far: 460 according to UNICEF. In the Jamame area the intensity of the flood has increased rapidly according to UNICEF.
Kismayo: UNICEF staff visited two new cams for displaced persons over the weekend: Bulso (via Afmadow) with 175 newly arrived families and Arare camp with 206 famlies. The camps contain people from all villages in the valley including Jamame and Kamsuma. Marerey: 2800 displaced people from the Marere community are currently stranded at Afarmator on a river embankement. The water level is rising and the river is rapidly eroding this embankment. UNICEF reports that people are standing up in narrow strip and could be taken away by water at any moment. - Two local boats (capacity: 20 persons each) have started evacuing people to Hargeisa dry land. - however at very high costs, about USD 102. UNICEF/SCS in negotiations with commercial owners to hire boats until better means of rescue are available. Hagar and Afmadou districts : Situation is described as very serious in these districts. Water level rose from 2m to 2.5 m. An unknown number of people is stuck in small high ground areas with minimal to no food supplies. Hagar itself - which had been supplied with some food on donkey carts from Afmadow - is now reported to be inaccessible. Water completely flooded Hagar village. ARC reports increase in cases of bloody diarrhea, RTI (with pneumonia) and malaria cases as well as malnutrion.
Doble: 150 people are reported to be cut off between Doble and Dif. ARC reports that people from the area are conducting rescue operations.
Bilis Kokani: Stagnant water is covering the whole area. IDP's are moving into the town. (ARC)
Badhade: Situation worsening - especially in Doqosh Doq - due to new rain and waters coming from the Kenyan side. (ARC)
Ras Kiamboni: Around 300 refugee returnees from Kenya are reported to be stranded with no shelter, food or medical care - seven measle cases reported as well as cases of RTI (with pneumonia), watery diarrhea. Apart from the returnees, 385 nomadic families who have moved to Ras Kiamboni for safety are without any supplies. (ARC)
Kolbio: The area is isolated.Food supply severely hampered. (ARC)
Kuda: Heavy rain on 14.11., unknown number of displaced people lack shelter and supplies.
Bardera: Floods have largely affected the area, destroying 4,000 house and displacing 300 families who took refuge on nearby hills. (WF) Roads remain impassable, water is rising, airstrip is still open. UNICEF distributed emergency supplies to displaced people by boad (blankets and buiscits). 3000 IDP's - who are on the surrounding hills are in need of medicine and plastic sheeting. (UNICEF)
Buale: 8 locally fabricated boats are used to access the town. IDP's are still on the hills with no medical care, plastic sheets or food. Farmlands in Buale have been completely drowned (WFP).
Saakow: Rains continued over the weekend. River level decreasing, but still higher than during the worst Gu-floodings. Airstrip still wet. Unconfirmed reports speak of 20 deaths from bloody diarrhea in a nomadic area in the north west of the district around Dhurwa Faroole. (SCR)
OTHER REGIONS:
Belet Huen: A slight decrease in river level was reported by UNICEF over the weekend. Some sections in the town are still isolated. The hospital is closed due to floods (IMC). Almost 40% of the population are still in town.
Gedo region: NCA reports that the road between Garbaharrey and Burdhubo are very difficult to pass. The road had been used to bring relief to Burdhubo recently. The road linking Garbaharrey and Bulla Hawa bordering Mandera/Kenya is also reported to be blocked following rains. Elade and nearby villages also had heavy rains for several days. The dry river in Garbaharrey is reported full of water, which adds to the inaccessibility of the road between Garbaharrey and Bullahawa.
Baidoa:IMC reports that in parts of the town 3,288 people have been displaced. Very heavy rain in Baidoa reported and Isha bridge still under water. More than 120 people reportedly died so far in the region and more than 2,500 animals. 691 IDP families from Baidoa, 150 from Juba and another 150 IDP families from Buale are displaced in Dinsor (IMC). The local authorities have informed IMC that they are ready to help and that the airport in Baidoa is safe for landing.
Qansaxdhere: High number of deaths due to flooding amongst people and livestock. Population from Ufrow, Korinbood, Hawal Barbar and Durey moved to either higher grounds or to town. The estimated number of displaced is 14,705 people.
Berdale: The town is flooded and water level is between 1-1.5 m. 5 suspected cholera cases reported. Road between Baidoa and Berdale is difficult to commute. 50 trucks reportedly at present stuck on this road (IMC)
Tielglow: 32 villages destroyed near Tielglow due to flooding, 11 children died, 160 families moved. Malaria, cholera incidences on the rise in the area according to WFP. No food available in the market. Roads not accessible.
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ICRC