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Flash floods displace more than 100,000
With growing global fear as the COVID-19 pandemic is taking its toll worldwide, vulnerable Ethiopian migrants in the Middle East, where some 220,000 live, face deportation in the remaining months of 2020, while thousands fear as possible targets. flash floods, with 110,000 victims already displaced.
The World Food Program (WFP) reported on possible deportations of thousands of Ethiopians, while the National Commission for Disaster Risk Management (NDRMC) revealed that a series of heavy rains has affected thousands of citizens. Damena Darota, NDRMC’s deputy commissioner, said Wednesday that in April alone, floods and landslides have affected many homes. Some 220,000 people living in the Southern Region, Somali, Afar and Dire-Dawa have been victims of the rains, while about 110,000 people have been displaced.
Debebe Zewde, NDRMC Director of Public Relations said The reporter that this May, an additional 21,000 people are exposed and likely to be affected by the torrential rain, and feared that some 19,000 would be displaced.
the belg rains which generally occurs during the months of March, April and May, it helps semi-pastoral areas and farmers. This year’s rains have caused serious damage, and Debebe said four people died in Dire-Dawa as a result of abnormal rains.
According to Debebe, on April 25, 53 homes were completely destroyed and 212 homes were partially damaged. This incident has affected 397 households, leaving 1,985 families in need of food assistance.
The next day, on April 25, the heavy rain in the city of Jinka in the South Region, an overflow of the river caused damage to the infrastructure and devastated the livestock. A 2-kilometer-wide crevice had also been created in the Silte Zone in the Southern Region.
In addition, 34,500 people were affected when the flood devastated all locations in the Shinelle Zone of the Somali Region. The regional government has reported that the flood wiped out some 1,200 animals, including goats, camels, and donkeys. More than 3,000 hectares of vegetables and crops were also destroyed and 200 water pumps were swept away.
The abnormal rain is expected to further affect the South Region, along with Somali, Dire-Dawa, Oromia, Amhara, Afar, Tigray, Harari and Addis Ababa, which are on high alert for new floods in the coming weeks. Debebe said that to withstand the impacts, NDRMC has prepared food and non-food items and shelters to help victims.
Adding insult to injury, the WFP situation report released earlier this week highlighted that some 220,000 returnees and deportees are expected to arrive in Ethiopia due to the spread of COVID-19 in the Middle East. But much remains to be done, as the desert locust infestation is spreading and a second generation of newborns, consuming about 350,000 metric tons of farm produce so far. The lobster is projected to remain until next October. Debebe mentioned the financial amount required to minimize the impact of disasters. However, WFP described a figure close to USD 220 million in response, including COVID-19, and logistics is required for the next six months.
