International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies
Press release
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
More than
100 people are confirmed dead and many more are missing following a
tropical cyclone that hit Puntland region in Somalia.
The storm struck the North Eastern Puntland region, bringing strong
winds, heavy rains and flash floods to the towns of Eyl, Bandar Beyla
and Hafun.
The storm has left several areas inaccessible and cut off from
communication, making it difficult to determine the real magnitude of
the damage. It is estimated that over 100,000 livestock have been lost,
threatening the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people.
In response to this silent disaster, the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has stepped in to complement
efforts of the Government of Somalia and the Somalia Red Crescent
Society to assist the estimated 4,000 to 5,000 affected families,
focusing on the Hafun and Alula districts.
"People living in this part of Somalia are living in extreme
poverty," said Finn Jarle-Rode, IFRC regional representative, eastern
Africa. "They remain vulnerable from these recurring 'silent' disasters
which don't often receive the attention of large scale climate-related
disasters. They lack the resources at the household and community level
to bounce back from these shocks, which is why it is vital we respond
quickly and efficiently."
IFRC is deploying a team tonight to assist the Somali Red Crescent to
carry out assessments and initial response in the North Eastern
Puntland. IFRC will also send in non-food items such as kitchen sets,
tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, jerry cans and soap from Nairobi
for 1,000 families.
With fears of an outbreak of water borne diseases, IFRC is also
deploying a water and sanitation specialist from the Regional Disaster
Response Team (RDRT), as well as a health specialist from the Somali Red
Crescent to take part in the assessment mission. The full RDRT remains
on stand-by to be deployed to Puntland and Somaliland if needed.
The Somali Red Crescent has mobilized its volunteers to evacuate
people to safer ground, and to provide first aid services. Volunteers
are also collecting and burying dead livestock in an effort to stave off
the breakout of disease. Mobile health clinics will be sent to the
affected areas once access is available.