FLOODS SITUATION REPORT:
BARDERE DISTRICT SITUATION OVERVIEW:
Heavy Gu rains have hit various parts of the country over the past two weeks and this triggered flash floods across the country. In Bardere District, which is one of the most affected districts have received heavy rains that caused Jubba river to burst its banks. The district is among the most populated in the region with an estimated population of 190,000. The district has about 200 villages mainly occupied by agro-pastoralists, IDPs and riverine communities.
From 17th March to 27th March, Bardere districts and its surroundings received heavy rains which caused flash floods affecting the riverine communities and also the IDPs. According to a quick assessment conducted by ADA field team indicates dire situation because of destruction caused by the floods. The assessment focused on the impact of the flash floods on the communities and their livelihoods.
There are 15 confirmed deaths as a result of the river floods in bardere town. In addition unknown number of livestock animals also perished due the flash floods. The heavy rains have destroyed the main roads to and from Bardere town and therefore affecting the transportation of goods in and outside of the district. Due to the destruction of the flash floods, Barderetown is now isolated and cut off from the rest of the country.
The flash floods have displaced most of the riverine communities and cause the people to move to areas of higher ground which results in lack of basic amenities. The most affected villages include Kurman, Bulo-Kulow and Masawa IDP Camps.
The floods have destroyed crops and other farming produce that would have been harvested and therefore impacted the livelihoods of the communities. Moreover, farmers input tools have been swept away to river, including (irrigation pumps, spray cans, and all other tools that are supposed to handle with farm activities. The irrigation farm inputs are very expensive and most of these farmers are incapable to plant their desired crops if urgent measures are not taken. As a result, almost 300 riverine farms have been affected by the current floods and 45 pumps have been lost and swept away by the river flash floods.
The communities in the surrounding villages have no accessibility to markets in Bardere town since the start of the current floods. Even though there are no much changes to the food commodity prices at the moment, there is a very high expectation that the prices of essential commodities rise very soon due the fear of road blockage of supply of essential goods from Mogadishu and kismayo and also no crop harvest is expected.
It is estimated that 1700 hhs mainly IDPs, around bardere town have also been affected by the recent floods. Displaced persons living in Hawlcadey, Camp-Jirix, & Horseed IDP Camps have no access to food and shelter as well. 8100 IDPs were directly affected. In addition, lack of basic hygiene and sanitation items and facilities and in and around the camps where people moved in poses a high risk of outbreaks such as malaria, cholera and other watery diseases.
ELWAK SITUATION OVERVIEW:
The heavy rains also affected most parts of Elwak district which has a population of 154500 host communities and IDPs. Due its geographical location nature, Elwak town is prone to water logged and due to the heavy rains, there is stagnant water within the town and this has affected households’ sanitation facilities especially at IDPs where latrines have collapsed and therefore posing high risk of outbreaks such as AWD and Malaria.
In addition, the stagnant water is causing havoc at market where tremendous amount of food commodities were destroyed as a result of the current heavy rains. Accessibility of road networks is limited within the district and only cross boarder roads from Kenya are the only way accessible to Elwak town. The town is cut off from the rest of Gedo region as a result of the flash experienced within the region. The price of essential food commodities are expected to rise if the current heavy rains continue.
Moreover, almost 90 shallow wells have collapsed and / or contaminated by the flash floods of the current heavy rains. This has impacted the accessibility to safe water for drinking and cooking. Most of the collapsed wells were the main source of water for the population and therefore the situation remains dire.
Movements within the town are also limited due to stagnant water that is everywhere. The stagnant water is contaminated due to the open defecations that were practiced by the communities in the district. There is a very potential of AWD outbreak if there is no response.
Almost 2000 hhs have been affected by the heavy rains especially, Hawlwadaag village, waabari village, Iskufilanvillage, Madino village Bardere IDP, Qoryoley IDP and Oktobarvillage.
People in Elwak town were affected by the heavy rains and displaced from their home due to stagnant water within the compounds, destroying properties and food commodities.
The main electricity supply in the town is under water and therefore people are living without electricity at homes causing numerous disruptions.
Both main markets for livestock have been temporarily closed due to the stagnant water of up to the knee level which is also another issue because the people depend on selling their livestock as their main source of income.
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