Aid Agencies Warn of Disasters Caused by El Niño Weather in Somalia

Aid Agencies Warn of Disasters Caused by El Niño Weather in Somalia

Aid agencies have issued separate warnings about disasters occurring in Somalia, stemming from the climate known as El Niño.

The IRC agency, in a press release, stated that the El Niño weather could pose a risk of floods, extreme heat, disease outbreaks, and drought affecting from Eastern Africa to Asia in the coming weeks.

The areas highlighted by the agency include the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, which it described as likely to be the hardest hit.

It added that data from June in Somalia indicated a 60% chance of above-average rainfall in the south and southwest, and meteorologists are looking at data to be released on July 15 that will determine funding and planning for expected actions.

"The ongoing challenges of drought and displacement have made 4.8 million people living in Somalia in need of urgent assistance, a number expected to rise as El Niño floods exacerbate the drought in the coming months. Floods in 2023 destroyed nearly 13,000 tons of crops and devastated entire towns and cities, and experts warn that a storm similar to that will cause significant damage this time," the agency stated in the press release.

It also added that rainfall in the highlands of Ethiopia and autumn rains could raise water levels in Somalia's rivers. It warned that contaminated water could pose a very high risk of cholera and diarrhea outbreaks.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently warned that Somalia should prepare for a dry season until October, followed by expected autumn rains from October to December associated with the El Niño climate.

- Update preparations to mitigate flooding in riverine areas and community planning.

- Assess and maintain vulnerable areas along the Jubba and Shabelle rivers.

- Identify and prepare safe areas.

- Continue to stock essential supplies in districts at risk of flooding.