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UNOG Bi-weekly press briefing: Somalia Climate Emergencies - OCHA
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UNOG Bi-weekly press briefing: Somalia Climate Emergencies - OCHA
Teleprompter
Somalia is at the moment hit by a double climate disaster with a drought declared on the 25th of April and recent torrential rains causing riverine and flash flooding.
Now, more than 80% of Somalia was facing moderate to severe drought conditions when the ghoul rains started in some parts of Somalia in late April and early May.
But the rains have come too late for the planting season, exacerbating the already significant food security concerns.
And where the rains have fallen, they have been excessive.
We now have reports that at least 25 people have been killed in various parts of the country due to the floods.
Sorry, let me repeat that.
We now have reports that at least 25 people have been killed in various parts of the country due to the floods.
Among the casualties are nine children who died after their house in the Benadir region which which hosts the capital Mogadishu on 7th of May.
We are particularly concerned about Bellatwane in Huron region which may see unprecedented levels of flooding in the next 24 to 48 hours.
In addition, the Juba River has burst its banks, houses have been washed away and livestock have perished.
There are also reports of flooding in the north of the country and there are continuous flash flood warnings across Somalia, especially for people living in low lying areas.
In flooded areas, local communities are struggling to prevent further flooding by placing sandbags, poles and other materials to reinforce riverbanks.
The combined impact of drought and floods are likely to exacerbate the already critical food security situation in Somalia, where more than 2.7 million people already are projected to be food insecure.
Both both climate shocks cause displacements, jeopardise access to safe water, increase waterborne diseases and impact people's livelihoods.
Somalia is on the front lines of climate change with more erratic or failed rains, and the frequency of climate related disasters is increasingly significant.
The country has experienced more than 30 climate related related hazards since 1990, including 12 droughts and 19 floods, 3 times the number of climate related hazards experienced between 1970 and 1990.
Despite increasing humanitarian needs, the funding forecast for 20/21 is the worst in six years.
This year's Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan requires 1 billion U.S.
dollars to assist 4 million people.
As of today, the plan is only 19% funded.
With the limited funding available, the UN and partners have ramped up responses in drought affected areas, reaching at least 353,000 people with assistance.
Urgent efforts are now on the way to respond to the flash flooding.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Yes.
Let me see if there are questions for you in the room or Lisa.
Yes, good morning.
Good morning to you.
Lance.
What are these urgent efforts that you're doing?
You don't have any money, are you?
You're going to be releasing money from the, I always forget the name, you know, the UN special fund.
And what are your immediate priorities?
Thank you.
Yes, Thank you very much, Lisa.
This is very much a developing emergency.
The the response to the floods.
We are already as as I mentioned, responding to the drought.
Of course that that includes the provision of safe drinking water to a very large number of people in the first instance for for the floods.
We are supporting the government's own efforts to get material such as sandbags to local communities where there are **** risk of flooding or where flooding has already occurred due to the the water levels are simply so **** that the rivers are overflowing and and inundating the land next to them.
Of course this is all very, very difficult with the resources at only 1/5 of what is actually needed this year.
So of course, we are calling on the donors once again to step up and help these very destitute communities.
Whether there will be any release from you mentioned the Central Emergency Response Fund remains to to be seen.
So I cannot confirm anything as to that.
I just want to mention that of the 2.7 million people who are food insecure, a very **** proportion of those are children under five years of age.
Thank you, Jens.
We have a.