Integrated Emergency lifesaving Health, Nutrition, WASH and Protection support for vulnerable populations affected by adverse effects of El Niño in South Central Somalia

In early 2023, the World Meteorological Association (WMA) forecasted a high probability of wetter-than-normal conditions throughout Somalia from July to November 2023, pointing to an El Nino event above moderate intensity that might pose significant challenges for the population. Thirteen of the 23 districts supported by the consortium were categorized as high-risk districts, with the predisposing factors being: 1) situated on riverine locations, namely Afgoye, Balcad, Belet Hawa, Dollow, Luuq, and Wanlaweyn; 2) situated afoot the Ethiopian highlands runoff area - Hudur and Elbarde; and 3) low-lying flash flood-prone districts of Deynile, Kahda, Galkacyo, and Baidoa (Somalia 2023 El Niño Flood Risk Analysis, WASH Cluster Aug 2023). The El Nino rains occurred in many districts of Somalia from mid-October 2023 to mid-December 2023. Of the 13 high-risk districts, Afgoye, Baidoa, Luuq, Dollow, Bardheere, Hudur, and Galkacyo experienced severe flooding with massive population displacements (Caafimaad+ program data). The El Nino event exacerbated the then-existing humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations, with WASH, food security, and health being the most affected areas. From October 2023 to March 2024, the Caafimaad+ Consortium implemented an FCDO-funded integrated emergency health, nutrition, protection, and community WASH response in 13 districts at high risk for El Nino flooding. Flooding from El Nino worsened the humanitarian effect of the protracted multiple seasons of drought and resulted in disease outbreaks, such as cholera, for which the consortium responded in Deynile from late December 2023 to March 2024, and measles outbreak in Belet Hawa district, for which the response was mounted in February 2024. Other districts experiencing outbreaks are Balcad with cholera and Elwak with measles. In both cases, responses are underway through the ECHO crisis modifier. The Gu rains expected in early April 2024, coming shortly after the El Nino rains, are predicted to be heavier than normal and might cause severe flooding, given the ground saturation from El Nino floods. The rising trends of infectious diseases such as cholera and measles, as illustrated by weekly updates (FMOH IDSR Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, and FMOH AWD Sitrep), might become more widespread. The project aims to contribute to reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with the Gu rain-related floods and disease outbreaks among vulnerable populations in the districts of Afgoye, Baidoa, Bardheere, Galkacyo, and Luuq.