Heavy rain has left around 450 displaced families homeless in Abudwaq district, Galgadud region. The families had been displaced by recent drought from around the region and areas along the Ethiopian border. Their makeshift houses, made of cardboard and cloth, in six IDP camps on the outskirts of the town were destroyed in the rain.
Two children aged between four and six were saved from floodwater last week. According to Radio Ergo’s local reporter, their mother was away when the downpour occurred and floods quickly accumulated in the camps.
Some of the families lost all their utensils, clothing and other belongings. Many do not have shelter to protect them from the continuing rain.
Some families are living under trees or on open ground in the camps, while others have relocated to relative’s houses in the town.
Haweyo Noor and her six children, who were displaced from Elay in Ethiopia, lost their shelter. She said she cannot rebuild because the land is still flooded. They do not have bedding, mosquito nets or dry clothing.
Haweyo, who lost 150 goats and came to Harqobobe camp in April 2016, said they had been surviving with little food all along and now their hardship was made worse by the lack of shelter. She said people in the camp drink from the water catchments filled by the rain.
Muse Ahmed Mohamed, the head of social affairs in Abudwaq district, told Radio Ergo that they have collected details of the affected people and raised the issue with the humanitarian agencies but there has been no response yet. He added that the people lacked everything including toilets and needed help in all aspects of life.
