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OCHA allocates Sh266 million for urgent cholera response in Somalia

A health worker vaccinates a child against cholera in Mogadishu, Somalia. (Photo: Karel Prinsloo/Gavi-Arete)

By Mary Wambui | Monday, May 27, 2024

The funding will help contain the scourge that has claimed more than 120 lives since January and affected more than 10,000 others, according to data from the WHO.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has allocated USD2 million (Sh266 million) from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to urgent response to the cholera outbreak in Somalia.

The funding will help contain the scourge that has claimed more than 120 lives since January and affected more than 10,000 others, according to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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"The residual effects of the historic drought during the 3-year La Niña event in 2023, combined with the impacts of the once-in-a-century floods induced by El Niño earlier this year, have fueled outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera in Somalia."

"In addition, the current Gu (April to June) seasonal rains and flash floods are expected to affect at least 770,000 people by the time the season ends. Damage to water sources, and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is exacerbating the acute watery diarrhoea and cholera outbreaks," OCHA said in a statement on Monday.

The funding will be used to support efforts by UN agencies in Mogadishu and their partners to provide assistance to 60,000 affected persons who will be provided with clean water and sanitation in Puntland and Central Southern states.

"It will not only save lives but also mitigate the further spread of cholera to surrounding communities in Somalia," the statement added.

According to data by OCHA, as of May 26, an estimated 225,759 people had been affected by the Gu rains, including 38,727 who had been displaced as of May 14 and a large part of those affected in Dobley and Afmadow returned home.

"At least 10,640 cholera cases, including 120 deaths representing a case fatality rate of 1.1% have been reported in seven states, according to the World WHO, as of 13 May," the agency noted at the time.

The flooding situation was occasioned by breakages along the eastern side of the Shabelle River at Belet Weyne which affected villages including Bacaad, Qooqan and Lafoole on May 12, this year.

The agency has called for more funding for the humanitarian needs of the country citing inadequate allocation to the current Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Somalia which requires USD1.6 billion to respond to the needs of 5.2 million people.

"Only 20 per cent funded. More funding is urgently needed to meet the current and rising needs due to climate shocks and other factors," OCHA said on Monday.