The Government of Somalia reported on Thursday that the death toll has risen to 96 as ongoing rain and flood conditions worsen amid the El Niño-induced weather pattern sweeping the Horn of Africa. Officials warned that the storm’s effects are intensifying the humanitarian crisis, with communities in multiple regions bearing the brunt of the downpours and rising rivers.
Sources quoted by Hiiran newspaper indicate that a Mogadishu gathering of officials focused on the storm response confirmed heavy rains have disrupted the lives of roughly two million people, particularly in Hirshabelle in the central zone, the Southwest State, and Jubaland in the south. The situation demands urgent action from regional authorities and international partners alike to bolster relief operations and protect vulnerable populations. [Source: Hiiran]
The floods arrive just months after the Horn of Africa endured an extended and severe drought, leaving many homes damaged or destroyed. In the aftermath, a large portion of shelters has collapsed or become unsafe, forcing residents to seek refuge under trees or in higher ground as the risk of further rainfall remains high.
UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, cautioned that persistent rain could trigger dangerous floods across the region. Thousands of families face displacement as communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia contend with new arrivals and overcrowded settlements. [Source: UNHCR]
Access to clean, safe drinking water has become scarce, complicating survival for households already strained by disrupted livelihoods. The floods have damaged cattle and crops on vast tracts of land and disrupted essential health services. This combination elevates the risk of a further deterioration in food security and nutrition for an already vulnerable population. [Source: UNHCR]
As the crisis unfolds, some refugees have opened their homes to newly displaced families, leading to overcrowded living conditions. Sanitation has emerged as a primary concern for aid agencies, with hundreds of public toilets reported damaged and unsafe conditions that raise the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera. The humanitarian response now prioritizes rapid WASH interventions, shelter support, and disease prevention to stabilize affected communities. [Source: UNHCR]