Geneva, November 6, 1997
Dear Friends,
Throngs of people greeted the arrival of the first ACT/NCA (Norwegian Church Aid) air consignment of relief supplies in flood stricken Somalia, earlier this afternoon. ACT/NCA Nairobi has advised that the entire consignment of 40 MT of relief supplies will be air lifted to Garbaharrey and Burdhubo, in the Gedo region of south -western Somalia over the next few days.
Around 3,000 households will be assisted with Plastic Sheeting, Blankets, Rice, Cooking Oil, Sugar and cooking utensils. The estimated budget for this operation is approximately US$ 120,000. The ACT Coordinating Office is sending US$ 25,000 out of its Rapid Response Fund towards this effort.
Besides maintaining regular radio contact with its Somalia Programme, ACT/NCA Nairobi is also in contact with the Flood Response Coordination Committee comprising the WFP, UNICEF, ICRC, FSAU, USAID and ECHO,
ACT/DDW (Diakonisches Werk) report that Belet Uene/Shebelle-River in Balaad region is also badly affected. Their representative is travelling to the region to further assess the situation and explore possibilities of immediate action.
ACT/LWS (Lutheran World Service) Ethiopia is monitoring the situation but are unable to make an Appeal unless the government asks them to do so. In the absence of resources, they are unable to extend any immediate assistance either. However, in view of the needs, ACT/LWS is exploring possibilities of an appropriate response.
WORST FLOODING IN 40 YEARS
According to News Agencies and the WFP, the worst flooding in nearly 40 years has hit parts of Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, causing dozens of deaths, displacing thousands of people in rural areas and damaging crops. The swirling waters have washed away large numbers of houses, roads and bridges.
It is feared that the worst is yet to come over the next 10 days and there could be a major crisis if the rains continue to be as heavy. Currently the greatest needs are for food, medicine and shelter. Food prices have started to spiral and diarrhoea cases are on the rise.
Aid workers said such heavy seasonal rains haven't been seen in Somalia in 30 years, speculating they could be the result of the periodic weather pattern known as El Ni¤o, which is currently warming ocean currents and provoking weather changes throughout the world.
Around 200,000 Somalis live along the Juba River, where water has risen 20 feet in some areas. Several villages are completely submerged and only the roofs of houses are visible from where the people have fled in large numbers. The Bay region of Somalia, which provides most of the country's grains, is also flooded.
In eastern Ethiopia, thousands of people have been hit by the floods and about one-third of the town of Dollo Odo was submerged. Fifty seven people have died and 4,000 left homeless.
Northern Kenya has also been flooded, paralyzing commercial transport.
In the event of an Appeal being issued, we will come back to you. In the meantime thank you for your attention.
Regards.
For further information, please contact: ACT Co-ordinator, Miriam Lutz (phone ++41 22 791 6032 or