Devastating floods in Beledweyne, Somalia, have forced Jamal Ali Abdi and nearly the entire population of the central town to flee their homes. The recent flooding, caused by the Shabelle River overflowing due to heavy rainfall in Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands, has displaced almost 250,000 people. The region is already grappling with the worst drought in 40 years, exacerbated by the climate crisis. While aid agencies and the Somali Disaster Management Agency are providing assistance to the affected families, urgent funding is needed to scale up relief efforts.
The impact of the floods has been unprecedented, catching residents like Ali off guard. With the floodwaters reaching neck-high levels, Ali managed to evacuate his family to a relative’s house, but their own home was completely submerged. The defensive wall built by the community in 2019 to mitigate flooding proved ineffective against the force of the current deluge. Ali now shares a room with two other displaced families, facing the uncertainty of when they can return home and whether anything will be left.
Hassan Abdi, another resident, also had to flee with his wife and seven children. Initially, he hoped the flooding would be short-lived, as they had experienced floods before. However, the situation worsened overnight, leaving Abdi with the realization that this flood was unlike any other. The water level rose rapidly, and he now fears that their temporary refuge will also be engulfed.
The displaced families are enduring challenging conditions, with multiple families cramped into a single room, uncertain of their future and concerned about the rising water levels. Many rely on remittances from family members abroad for support, but in the face of a natural disaster, they feel helpless and uncertain if their circumstances can be remedied by money alone.
The flooding in Beledweyne highlights the urgent need for comprehensive support and funding to address the dual impact of drought and flooding in Somalia. The climate crisis exacerbates the vulnerability of communities who bear minimal responsibility for carbon emissions. Immediate assistance is required to alleviate the suffering of the affected population and enhance resilience to future climate-related disasters.
