Mogadishu: A United Nations report has revealed that more than 84,000 individuals have been affected by recent floods in Somalia, with at least 17 fatalities reported since mid-April. The Horn of Africa region, where Somalia is located, is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, experiencing an increase in both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a report indicating that “flash floods caused by heavy seasonal rains have killed 17 people and affected more than 84,000 people in several areas since mid-April.” The report underscores the challenges faced by non-governmental organizations, which are often the first to respond to such crises but are currently constrained by a shortage of funding that limits their capacity to address urgent needs.

Meteorologists have issued warnings about the potential for additional rainfall in southern and central Somalia in the coming days, as noted in the report. The situation is compounded by the memory of the major floods Somalia experienced in 2023, which led to over 100 deaths and displaced more than one million people, largely due to heavy rains associated with the El Ni±o weather pattern.