Floods Destroy Villages East Of Berbera

Hargeysa, Somaliland, December 16, 2006 (SL Times) – Heavy rains have brought destruction and mayhem to Hayeti, Garas and Dhuhun residents (n-east of Berbera) in Hagal district of Sahil region. Up to 500 families are affected. Many have lost their homes, possessions and livestock to severe floods caused by recent ‘Dayr seasonal’ rains, which were exceptional this year throughout much of east Africa.

According to Jama Farah Ahmed, the parliamentarian upper house ‘Guurti’ representative for Hagal district in Sahil region told Somaliland Times that “Majority of the villages devastated by the recent floods were located at the foot of Sahil Golis mountain range. Due to the inaccessibility of these areas it took three to four days for us to get news of the devastation caused by the floods”. He added, “The people of Hayati, a settlement of 400 families are without shelter, food and medicine. Many are suffering malaria because large tracks of land have become waterlogged; the entire region has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes”.

Jama Ahmed said, “Many of the villagers are sheltering in the open their homes and livelihoods have all been destroyed by the floods. Already, we have received news that villages in Hayeti and Garas six people have died due to malaria and more will die unless they receive medical assistance”. He said. “The Sahil governor and central government agencies, like the ministry of Health and local authorities have been told of this disaster three days ago but have not done anything to help the plight of these people.

Somaliland Times tried to contact the governor of Sahil region but could not be reached. Staff at the regional authorities’ headquarters confirmed to Somaliland Times of the devastation caused by recent floods in the area but asked Somaliland Times not to be disclose.

Jama Farah Ahmed, the parliamentarian ‘Guurti’ representative for Hagal district said, “This is a serious emergency, the lives of up to 400 families are in danger, we have to ring the alarm bells and pressurize the government, local and international Ngo’s and my fellow countrymen and women to help us”.

Source: Somaliland Times