Climate Crisis Hits East Africa: Flash Floods Devastate Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia

In a grim aftermath of El Nino-driven rainstorms, East Africa faces a severe crisis, particularly Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia, where flash floods have claimed more than two dozen lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. Somalia, still reeling from a crippling drought, experienced ferocious rainstorms that triggered landslides and submerged villages and farms. The situation is dire in Somalia, with over 29 reported deaths and approximately 850,000 people affected, out of which more than 300,000 have been forced from their homes. Roads have been cut, hampering rescue efforts, and aid workers are facing significant challenges in providing assistance.

Read more: East Africa: Devastating Floods Displace Thousands and Cause Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Intensifying Climate Risks

The UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, revealed the gravity of the situation, stating that inaccessible roads and stranded vehicles are impeding rescue operations. In the town of Luuq, 2,400 people are trapped by rising floodwaters, and a joint effort by aid agencies is underway to rescue them. Somalia, vulnerable to climate change and plagued by an ongoing insurgency, is ill-equipped to handle this crisis.

El Nino, intensifying global temperatures, is expected to persist until at least April 2024, according to the United Nations. The World Meteorological Organisation emphasised that this phenomenon occurs within the context of rapid climate change. East Africa, no stranger to El Nino’s devastation, is facing a humanitarian emergency with climate change exacerbating the challenges. The toll on human lives and livelihoods underscores the urgent need for international attention and coordinated efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change in the region.