PRES: Multiple UN agencies are hard at work to assist victims of severe flooding in Somalia. Thousands of families have been displaced by the on-going hostilities in the country and poor weather conditions. Health needs and funding top the list of concerns for humanitarian workers.
Narr: In addition to enduring years of internal conflict as well as hardship due to drought, the people of Somalia are now facing heavy rains leading to the displacement of thousands of families.
The International Committee for the Red Cross reports that many families have moved to higher ground but are still exposed to the rain. Additionally, Paul Garwood of the World Health Organization says Somalis are facing major health challenges.
Garwood: ""We see throughout the country cases of acute watery diarrhoea, some cases of cholera, suspected measles and more than 20,000 cases of acute respiratory infection recorded since May, and this figure could be high because our figures are only up until mid way through October."
The Spokesperson says the lack of funding is also a concern. Of the $13 million requested by WHO less than a quarter has been received.
Garwood: "So far $3.2 million has been received. The main impact here we see is in the area of coordination. So WHO's role as health cluster coordinator is being severely hampered by the lack of funding."
Narr: Elizabeth Byers, Spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says work with local non governmental organizations and staff on the ground is also critical. But she also reiterated the need for funding.
Byers: "We have partnership with community leaders and national staff which is dedicated and covering and delivering assistance. The problem is to get contribution and money for our humanitarian programs.
Narr: The crisis in Somalia has not only led to the displacement of civilians within the country, but has resulted in Somali refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. Andre Mahehic, Spokesperson for the UN refugee agency says UNHCR is already making plans to assist the Somali refugees but he says those plans are contingent upon where the refugees will end up.
Mahehic: "It depends how many of these people will head towards Kenya. They could head also towards Ethiopia and they could head across the Gulf of Aden, which has been quite a large population movement over the past year. Certainly we are making all the plans that we can make. These are the plans that will be put into action if the situation requires. Our reaction would be proportionate to the number of people fleeing."
Narr: In the meanwhile, the forecast, based in part on the effects of the El Nino weather system, is for more rain in Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands that could even intensify in the coming days and weeks.
The UN humanitarian agency says as many as 283,000 Somalis might take refugee and flee to neighboring countries as a result of the heavy rains.
Producer: Gail Walker
Duration: 2'49"