The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a warning about the likelihood of more heavy rains in southern and central Somalia in the coming days, driven by shifting climate patterns.
In a recent report, the UN revealed that floods triggered by torrential rains that began in April have already affected over 84,000 people across multiple regions of Somalia. At least 17 lives have been lost as a result.
According to the OCHA report, meteorological experts have warned that further rainfall is expected, increasing the risk of additional flooding in areas still reeling from the recent deluge. These projections are being linked to broader climate change dynamics that have made weather patterns more unpredictable and intense.
The agency noted that the floods come at a time when many humanitarian organizations, particularly non-governmental actors who are often first responders during crises, are grappling with funding shortfalls—significantly hampering their ability to meet urgent needs on the ground.
Somalia has faced increasingly severe climate shocks in recent years. In 2023, devastating floods—partly attributed to the El Niño phenomenon—killed more than 100 people and displaced over one million, highlighting the growing vulnerability of the country to extreme weather events.
