UN warns 875,000 Somalis face displacement from El Nino flooding

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued an urgent warning that nearly 875,000 people in Somalia face displacement due to extreme flooding between October and December. This massive movement of people is expected to be triggered by the El Nino weather phenomenon, which is projected to bring torrential rains and high water levels to the region. The UN agency emphasized that the situation requires immediate attention to prevent a widespread humanitarian crisis.

According to data compiled by the IOM and the Danish Refugee Council, exactly 874,319 individuals are at high risk of being forced from their homes. The projections indicate that flooding will be responsible for 92% of all displacements in Somalia over the next three months. Manuel Marques Pereira, the IOM’s chief of mission in Somalia, noted that early signs of flooding are already appearing in some areas, signaling that the window for preparation is rapidly closing.

Despite the clear danger, the international response remains critically underfunded. The IOM reports that it has secured only 14% of the $16.62 million necessary to implement disaster preparation and relief operations. This funding gap severely limits the ability of humanitarian organizations to preposition supplies, reinforce infrastructure, and assist communities that are most vulnerable to the rising waters.

The call for support comes as Somalia continues to face the compounding effects of climate change and previous environmental shocks. Officials are urging the international community to provide the remaining resources needed to mitigate the impact of the rains. Without a swift injection of capital, aid agencies warn they will be unable to protect at-risk populations, potentially leading to a significant loss of life and livelihoods as the heaviest rains begin to fall.