About 150 families displaced by flash floods from heavy rains in Burhakaba district over the past several days are asking for urgent humanitarian assistance.
The families, mainly women, children and elderly people, moved to higher ground on the outskirts of the town after their property was destroyed in the floods.
Qamar Ahmed, a mother of six, told Radio Ergo that her house and two others beside collapsed though no-one was injured. “The flash floods swept away all my property including house utensils and mattresses,” she said. “We desperately need tents to shelter from further rains, cold and mosquitoes.”
Malaq Mustaf Ahmed, area elder, said the floods had paralyzed public transport. “The town came to a standstill for three consecutive days due to the floods that swept across,” he said.
He said they were struggling to build makeshift barriers as floodgates but the continued heavy rains could force more people to abandon their homes if no help arrived.
The floods also affected water reservoirs in the area.
Burhakaba district is 60 km north of Baidoa, the provincial capital of Bay region.
