(ERGO) – Heavy rain in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu caused death and destruction in some of the sprawling camps for displaced people, leading to tragedy for one family.
Deqo Mohamed Yusuf, who lives in Malable IDP camp in Garasbaallay district on the outskirts of the city, lost three of her children on 14 July when the rain led to the collapse of a wall next to the family’s makeshift dwelling.
“The wall collapsed on my children, killing three of them, aged 12, eight and seven, while the fourth and youngest child was rescued from the debris by neighbours,” Deqo told Radio Ergo.
Deqo came to the camp six years ago after fleeing conflict in Qoryoley, Lower Shabelle region. She works as a casual labourer in the city, washing clothes and doing any other manual work to support her family. Her husband has stayed behind in their rural home.
She lost everything she owned and is in need of shelter and other emergency support.
“It was a difficult life to begin with, and now that I’ve lost three of my children, I have nothing at all,” Deqo said, in shock and unable to speak further.
According to Nasra Hussein, the camp leader, the Malabe IDP camp in Garasbaallay hosts 265 displaced families mostly from Lower Shabelle. They all need urgent assistance.
The local authorities have confirmed that camp residents are facing a dire situation and are in need of shelter, food, and medicine.
Muhidin Ahmed Yusuf, head of social affairs at Garasbaallay locality, told Radio Ergo that the rains have had a devastating effect on camp residents.
“No assistance has reached them yet – we’re waiting on the Banadir Regional Authority as well as anyone else who can assist with this calamity,” he said.
Halimo Ahmed Nur, a widowed mother of seven children, came to Warta Sigale camp six months ago after fleeing conflict in Janale in Lower Shabelle. She told Radio Ergo that she lost her makeshift dwelling in the rains and they are now sleeping outside on higher ground near the camp.
“We are without shelter, food, and clothing. We also need anti-malaria medicine because there are a lot of mosquitoes due to the stagnant water,” she appealed.
Abdullahi Oyaye, another resident of Warta Sigale camp, said the rain had destroyed his dwelling for the second time because it was made of such flimsy materials that gave no protection against the weather.
The director of humanitarian affairs at Banadir Regional Authority, Muhidin Mahamud Abdullahi, told Radio Ergo they were still assessing the damage caused by the rains and would soon issue a full report.
