Key Overall Developments
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) says the general performance of the ongoing Deyr (October – December) rains throughout the country have so far been good. Field reports indicate that there were heavy rains in Belet Weyne, Hiraan and Ceel Waaq and Belet Hawa in Gedo. Some populations have been forced to move to higher ground as water has inundated their houses and some sanitation facilities which could cause health hazards. In Ceel Waaq, an estimated 350 households were displaced.
The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit, the Somali Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM), both technical units of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and FEWSNET have formed a Flood Information Group. This Group will review, triangulate and consolidate all incoming reports on floods and provide the best possible consensus on the real time flooding situation and its impact. The group will issue daily updates, as required, on the status of flooding. Anyone with information on floods should submit it to the Flood Information Group on floodinfo@fsnau.org. SWALIM has developed a Flood Information website - http://www.faoswalim.org/subsites/frrmis/index.php, which will have the updates from the Flood Information Group, river levels and weather reports, and baseline and historic data on flood risk areas. Of primary concern is the limited access that agencies have to areas at risk of flooding. The UN Country Team has suggested sending a draft letter to authorities controlling these areas requesting access.
