The crisis began with the start of the deyr rainy season in October and comes six months after the country emerged from a historic drought that brought it to the brink of widespread famine.

“Recurrent climate shocks, widespread insecurity and rampant poverty have pushed the people of Somalia to the breaking point,” said George Conway, UN Deputy Special Representative and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

‘Heartbreaking’ devastation

The ongoing heavy rains and floods are expected to swamp at least 1.5 million hectares of farmland through December.

Thousands of people have been cut off from markets and supplies, or marooned in isolated villages.

Roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been extensively damaged while vital facilities such as hospitals and schools have been closed, and the risk of cholera has increased.

Nimo Hassan, Director of the Somali NGO Consortium, described the devastation as heartbreaking.

“The floods have reinforced the urgent need for sustainable solutions and disaster preparedness,” he added.

Rescue and relief

So far, the Somali authorities and partners have reached roughly 820,000 affected people with assistance but needs are rapidly rising as the flooding expands around the country.

“The priority right now is to rescue stranded families and provide immediate humanitarian relief to the victims,” said Mahamud Moallim, Commissioner of Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency.

The situation is unfolding as millions of Somalis continue to battle hunger and malnutrition, with an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of five facing acute malnutrition between August and next July.

Humanitarians warn that they will not be able to meet current and emerging needs without additional resources.

A $2.6 billion plan to support 7.6 million people this year is only 42 per cent funded.