More than 20,000 households have been affected by heavy rains in parts of Somalia’s Galmudug State, with homes, businesses and essential services damaged, raising concerns about the humanitarian situation in affected communities.
Galmudug’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Abdirahman Mohamed Dirie Makaawi, said the impact resulted from heavy rainfall that occurred last week.
The areas hardest hit include Abudwaq, Galkayo, Guriel and parts of Dhusamareb. Reports from these areas indicate that the rains damaged residential buildings and business premises, while also disrupting road transport, education and healthcare services.
The National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has warned that additional rainfall could worsen the situation. The agency has called for urgent humanitarian assistance to reach affected communities as concerns grow over the potential impact of further rain.
The damage comes as Somalia faces broader challenges related to climate change, food security and funding shortages affecting humanitarian relief operations. These challenges could complicate efforts to respond to the needs of families affected by the recent rainfall.
Further assessments are still underway to establish the full extent of the damage, determine whether households have been displaced and evaluate the impact on local infrastructure. It also remains unclear whether emergency assistance has reached all communities affected by the rains.
With the possibility of additional rainfall, authorities face the task of assessing the damage and ensuring that affected families receive the necessary support. The delivery of emergency assistance and a clearer understanding of the scale of the impact remain key priorities as the situation develops.
