ETHIOPIA: Thousands displaced by floods in Somali region

ETHIOPIA: Thousands displaced by floods in Somali region

ADDIS ABABA, 18 November 2008 (IRIN) - At least 52,000 people have
abandoned their homes in Ethiopia's Somali region after the Wade
Shabelle and Genale rivers burst their banks following heavy rains.

"Heavy rains pounded western highlands and six woredas
[administrative wards] in the Somali region, causing floods," Ramadan
Haji Ahmed, head of the government's disaster prevention department in
the region, said.

"The rain lasted six days from 2 November," he told IRIN.

The six woredas were in Gode, Afeder and Liben zones. Ramadan said
36,888 people were displaced and three killed in the worst-affected
woreda, Kelafo, in Gode.

"The flood hit 14 kebeles [smallest administrative wards] and 85
villages in Kelafo," Ramadan said. "It washed away crops on 164
hectares."

Crops were also destroyed in West Emi woreda of Afder zone. "The Wabe
Shebelle River burst its banks and flooded 17 kebeles in West Emi,"
Ramadan added. "Thanks to early warnings, the villagers fled to nearby
mountains. The flood damaged crops on 3,200 hectares."

At least 10,740 displaced people have been registered in Dolo Odo
woreda of Liben zone. "Dolo Odo was flooded after the overflow of
Genale river," Ramadan said. "The roads from Dolo Odo to Filtu and
Negele are also blocked."

Floods cut off the road linking Degahabur town with Gode zone after
the Dirkot River burst its banks.

"We brought 30 vehicles of aid from Dire Dawa central warehouse but
we could not continue to Gode due to the damaged road," Ramadan said.
"We are now preparing to use another road."

However, he feared the continued heavy rains would hamper relief efforts.

"Meteorology reports show there will not be heavy rain in the next
three days," he said. "If there is any heavy rain, the only choice is
an airlift."

The Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau in the region has
begun dispatching relief food and was preparing to distribute non-food
items.

"All affected woredas need emergency relief," Ramadan said. "We have
not yet released any appeal, but it will be ready as soon as we get a
complete assessment of the situation."

In 2007, flooding left 135,000 people displaced across Ethiopia. In
August, flash floods in Gambella regional state displaced about 20,000
people.