By Ojugbele Omotunde
The United Nations has allocated $3 million through the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) to mitigate the anticipated impact of flooding in remote villages including Jamame, Luuq, and Afgooye.
The funds, facilitated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), aim to address the urgent humanitarian needs arising from the flooding.
OCHA plans to utilize these funds to upgrade community water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, as well as health facilities that may be affected by the disaster.
Additionally, the funds will support the provision of multifunctional cash assistance, distribution of hygiene kits, and essential medications to those impacted.
Recent El Nino rains in Somalia have resulted in significant damage, including four deaths, 804 displacements, destruction of 100 shelters, and damage to a school, as reported by OCHA.
The Somalia Disaster Management Agency estimates that two million people have been affected, with over 600,000 individuals displaced.
In light of these challenges, OCHA has appealed to the global community for increased assistance to address the immediate needs of flood-affected populations.