As the Shabelle River burst its banks, Jamal Ali Abdi witnessed devastation in Beledweyne, a central Somali town, unmatched in his lifetime. The 36-year-old father of six recalled the terror of watching the floodwaters rise, up to his neck, surrounding his home. With his family’s livelihood threatened, Ali grabbed a few essentials and fled to a relative’s home, where they share a room with two other displaced families.
“I haven’t seen flooding on this scale in years,” Ali said, echoing the sentiments of many residents who thought the past few years of drought had prepared them for the worst. “No one saw this level of devastation coming.” The flooding has forced nearly 250,000 people to leave their homes, not knowing when they will return or what remains of their belongings.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for urgent funding to aid the displaced, while the Somali Disaster Management Agency is distributing aid to those in need. The flooding has added to the suffering of the people, who are still reeling from a devastating drought that has affected the country for years.
Floodwaters engulf a Somali town, forcing a quarter-million to fleeIn 2019, the community built a defensive wall to protect the town from flooding during heavy rains. However, this time, the force of the water was too great, and the wall was no match. The severe flooding has overwhelmed the town, leaving many without a place to call home.
“It’s difficult to adjust to a new life, not knowing when you’ll return home or what you’ll find,” Ali said, his voice laced with uncertainty. His fears are not unique; many residents are worried that the water will continue to rise, forcing them to move again.
The situation is catastrophic, and the people of Beledweyne are struggling to come to terms with their new reality. The town’s fate is uncertain, and the once-thriving community is now on the brink of collapse.