UN dispatches emergency team to Beledweyne as floods displace scores

أخبار الصومال

اليمن العربي

The United Nations has dispatched her multi-agency team to central Somalia following unprecedented floods that caused havoc in over 115 villages.

River Shebelle broke her banks forcing over 160,000 people out of their homes. The affected population is in dire need of food, medicine and cloths.

Federal Goverment through Prime Minister Hassan Ali asked for assistance from international community, observing that 'Somalia cannot manage the crisis alone'.

"We have formed a team that is managing the floods response. The government has also released some funds. We need international community assistance. The situation in Beledweyne town is getting worse," he had warned.

Beledweyne town is worst affected, with already over 15 people already feared dead after their boat capsized earlier this week.

Somali's first female Mayor Safiya Hassan was among those rescued. However, one of her aides is feared dead following the accident.

The UN however, has identified villages worst hit by floods, with both Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), International Organisation for Immigration (IOM) working closely with UNSOM to salvage the situation.

On Friday WHO officials said over 5,000 people had been evacuated to safety. The victims received emergency treatment and other medical assistance.

"We have evacuated over 5,000 people from this area. We are giving emergency medical services to the affected population as part of our rapid response plan," the official said in their Twitter account.