Main Developments
The Shabelle river has now joined the Juba river, flowing into it on the east side (while flood waters are coming from the west) at Kamsuma, where it has diverted from its natural course. According to SWALIM, this confluence is continuing to the sea. This development poses serious risk of increased flooding to the areas surrounding the convergence of the two rivers.
Above-normal rains fell in Gedo and Juba over the last couple of days. Baidoa received heavy rains (107mm) early in the week. Light rains were reported in the last couple of days in Beletweyne and Bulo Burti (Hiran), Jowhar (Middle Shabelle) and in some areas of Lower Shabelle. The forecast for the coming three days is for light rain over much of southern Somalia, with light to moderate rains over Middle/Lower Shabelle. The El Nino conditions that have been in effect since September are, according to SWALIM, said to have a 92% probability of remaining through January.
In an effort to enhance logistics planning and ensure optimal programme prioritization and response, the inter-agency Flood Working Group in Nairobi has agreed that weekly updates on regional priorities/needs will be communicated. For the present, response priorities lie in Middle Juba (especially Jilib) and Lower Juba (especially Jamame), where acute, life-saving interventions are needed. Priorities are: shelter items, ITNs, NFIs, relief food, water treatment and hygiene promotion, malaria response coordination, mobile health team outreach and rapid assessments. In Hiran, priority lies with water/sanitation interventions (a rise in cases of diarrhea is being reported) and in medical supplies. In Middle/Lower Shabelle, shelter items, water and sanitation interventions, nutrition surveillance/response and provision of seeds and tools are prioritized.
In relation to the above, WFP/UNHAS will carry out daily prioritisation of air cargo movement requests. Vital cargo for the support of the air operation will be flown as a priority above, eg, aviation fuel (where surface deliveries are not possible), spare parts, etc. All agencies and NGOs operating their own air assets are urged, once again, to ensure that adequate early liaison with relevant authorities in Somalia takes place prior to the arrival of a flight.
Developments Along the Shabelle River
The local flood committee of Middle Shabelle region distributed purchased and donated food supplies (maize, rice, oil, dates) from Islamic charities in Mogadishu between 30 November-7 December to 4,500 families in 19 villages, mainly in Mahadey and Jowhar. The deliveries used Centre for Education and Development (CED) boats. Food needs in Middle Shabelle are said to remain unmet.
Bulo Burti (Hiran) – Agencies and local authorities are expressing concern that the bridge linking north and south Somalia is at risk of collapse and in urgent need of repair. DRC and SRCS distributed plastic sheets, ITNs and blankets to 2,423 families in Bulo Burti district. Bulo Burti Islamic Courts have formed an emergency flood committee and has distributed plastic sheeting and 1200 ITNs.
Jalalaqsi (Hiran) – UNICEF and partners have begun hygiene/sanitation workshops in Jalalaqsi, focusing particularly on provision of safe drinking water.
Congo/Bulo Sheikh (Middle Shabelle) – OCHA and UNICEF report that people in these villages are drinking from stagnant and contaminated floodwater. Diarrhea is a major health concern. There is an urgent need for well rehabilitation, water tablets, construction of latrines and training on hygiene/sanitation.
Developments Along the Juba River
SWALIM reports that river levels at upstream stations at Luuq and Bardheere (Gedo region) increased slightly in the last two days.
Coordination and Funding
Twenty-three donors attended the launch of the flood response appeal in Geneva on 6 December. Donor response to date includes a pledge by the Norwegian government for DKK6 million (approx. US$1million) for emergency livestock interventions and a pledge by Sida for SEK5 million (approx. US$734,000) to UNICEF for water, sanitation and health interventions.
Operational partners can access on-line information on UNHAS and UNCAS passenger and cargo booking procedures on the Logistics Cluster website. The address is:
http://www.logisticscluster.org/home/
Also accessible on-line are SWALIM and UNOSAT maps of flood-affected regions:
http://www.faoswalim.org/viewpage.php?PageID=bf88c2a7f49ef5e5d35f474df4464d25
http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/asp/prod_free.asp?id=28
