DEATH TOLL RISES IN ETHIOPIAN FLOODS

 

ADDIS ABABA, 3 May (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -- The number of confirmed dead and missing in Ethiopia continues to rise following the devastating floods that have submerged parts of Somali region after the Wabe Shebelle river burst its banks overnight on 23 April.  Thousands more remain homeless, and emergency relief teams are hampered in their efforts to provide assistance, as many areas remain inaccessible and communication is poor.

Following 48 hours of torrential rains on 23 April in the highlands of Oromiya and the lowlands of Somali regions, the Wabe Shebelle river burst its banks.  This sudden inundation caused serious loss of human and animal lives, displacement of people and damage to crops, property, wells and road infrastructure.

To date, more than 100 people are reported dead, while many more remain missing.  Initial assessments confirmed about 21,000 households or 105,000 people have been affected and have lost houses and properties.  More than 50,000 livestock have died.  Some areas are unable to report damage yet because of communication problems.  It is expected that number of people affected will continue to increase, especially if rains continue.

The affected areas include west Imi, east Imi and Mustahil district in Gode and Afder zones.  Other areas that have been affected by heavy rains include Korahae zone, in particular Kebridehar town, Degehabur, Kebribeyah in Jijiga zone and the internally displaced persons camps of Fafan and Hartsheikh.  Other areas are likely to be affected, as well but remain isolated.

The emergency response is largely hindered, as roads leading to the affected areas are still under water.  However, United Nations agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and non-governmental organizations present in the affected areas immediately offered limited assistance to the flood victims they could reach.  The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is coordinating the UN interventions with the local authorities and the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC), identifying priority areas and needs.

For further information, please, contact:  Kirsten Mildren, OCHA Communications Officer, tel.:  251 1 444162/251 9641031, e-mail:  mildren@un.org.

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