SOMALIA | FLOOD RESPONSE IN COVID-19 CONTEXT

SOMALIA As at 7 May 2020

90,000 400,000 40,000 persons displaced by persons at risk of being beneficiaries targeted in flash floods and riverine displaced by floods initial distribution of NFI kits flooding

Flooded neighbourhood in Gaalkacyo.

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT The onset of the Gu seasonal rains in late April has caused riverine and flash flooding in many areas of Somalia and affected more than 200,000 persons including damage or loss of homes, schools, small businesses, boreholes and livestock. It is expected that the Gu season (April-June) will impact Somalia at similar levels to the Deyr rains of 2019 when more than 400,000 persons were displaced. With 2.6 million internally displaced persons Somalia has the fourth largest IDP population in the world and second largest in Africa.

NEEDS AND GAPS Decongestion: Flooding increases congestion especially for those who are displaced. High density sites and communities and lack of household items are key factors for transmission of COVID 19. Decongestion through expansion of sites, rearranging shelters, provision of emergency shelter and household items can help reduce the risk of transmission and will certainly improve the living conditions. Shelter and NFI: Assuming that half of the projected 400,000 individuals (80 per cent of affected) will need both NFI kits (consisting of emergency items such as blankets, jerry cans, plastic sheets and more) and emergency shelter, and the remaining half will need either shelter or NFI kits, a total of 50,000 NFI kits and 50,000 shelter kits will be required. While resources have been mobilized for the needed supplies and logistics, UNHCR faces a critical funding gap of US$ 13.5 million. Transportation of NFI and shelter items to most of the field locations is only possible by very expensive air transport.

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FLOOD DISPLACEMENTS On 5 May OCHA reported some 73,000 individuals displaced as a result of riverine and flash flooding. The situation is evolving rapidly 5 and provisional figures as at 7 May from the 91 UNHCR-led Protection & Return Monitoring Network (PRMN) and Protection Cluster partners indicate approximately 90,000 18 individuals have been displaced due to floods 47,000 including 47,000 in district (Bari region) and 19,800 in Qoryooley district ( region) and 3,000 in Jowhar ( region). The levels of the Shabelle river at Belet 5 Weyne and Jalalaqsi (Hiraan) are at critical levels and PRMN partners have reported the 1,200 onset of significant new displacements in both locations as residents move to higher ground.

PERSONS DISPLACED BY REGION

Bari 47,000 288 840 Lower Shabelle 25,000 7,334 19,800 8,000 1,236 3,060 8,000 1,000

Middle Shabelle 1,000

Flooded home of a household in Bardale (left) and flooded stores in Qhardo (right).

CLUSTER REPONSE A Flood Response Plan to address the existing and imminent needs is in preparation coordinated by UNOCHA in which UNHCR-led clusters: Protection Cluster, Shelter/NFI Cluster, CCCM Cluster (co-led with IOM) are working closely with cluster partners and government counterparts to ensure an effective response.

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UNHCR RESPONSE PERSONS ASSISTED PER LOCATION Mainstreaming protection: The Protection Cluster- led by UNHCR updated a guidance note for protection and non-protection partners on mainstreaming protection in their response to the floods. The note contains essential guidance for the referral of individuals in need of protection services, 4,500 as well as prevention messages to disseminate 8,520 among communities at risk of floods. Provision of NFIs: UNHCR’s initial response targets approximately 40,000 individuals with NFI kits in the areas most affected by rains and floods. The Field Units have already started distributing NFI kits targeting 8,100 persons and preparing to distribute another 4,834 NFI kits to reach approximately 30,000 individuals. 12,000 Site maintenance: The CCCM cluster, co-led by UNHCR, has mapped 277 flood risk IDP settlements which will be prioritized for site maintenance activities 3,000 (e.g. creation of drainage systems, repairing 4,500 communal infrastructure) to mitigate impact of floods 3,000 and accelerate the access to referral services. Over 37,000 IDPs have already been informed how to mitigate the impact of floods in their settlements. Planned Displacements monitoring: The UNHCR-led 4,584 PRMN is a nationwide network of 35 local NGOs coordinated in partnership with the Norwegian Ongoing Refugee Council which reports on displacements and protection risks. During fast-onset events such as flooding, PRMN increases frequency of reporting and issues ‘flash alerts’ on significant displacements to trigger and inform response. UNHCR works closely with coordination mechanisms to triangulate figures of those affected and displaced as well as sharing information on urgent needs.

UNHCR airlifting NFI to Qhardo (left) and distributing NFI kits to persons affected by floods and rains in Baidoa (right).

UNHCR is grateful for the generous contributions of donors who have directly contributed to the Somalia operation

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