UN says 1.6 million Eastern Africans so far affected by heavy rains, floods

Heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides have caused widespread devastation across Eastern Africa, affecting an estimated 1.6 million people.

This is according to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), which says that the region had seen 473 fatalities and nearly 410,350 people displaced as of May 17.

Below are highlights from the OCHA report released on Tuesday, on the situation in countries in the region.

Kenya

The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) reports that 291 people have died, 188 have been injured, and 75 are missing.

Between March 1 and May 16, 2024, an estimated 278,380 people (55,676 families) were displaced, and more than 412,760 people (82,552 families) were affected by the heavy rains and floods.

Authorities have also reported significant damage to 64 health facilities and 419 water and sanitation (WASH) facilities.

The reported noted, "The government has mandated the immediate evacuation of individuals living within the 30-meter riparian corridor nationwide. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, alongside evacuations in potentially risky areas."

Tanzania

This East African nation has also been severely impacted, with 155 people losing their lives due to heavy rains, landslides, and flooding.

Authorities estimate that 126,000 people were affected by early May.

A new risk factor for Tanzania is tropical storm Ialy, over which mariners and the public have been advised to take precautionary measures.

"On May 19, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority warned that the current weather system present in the Indian Ocean, Cyclone Ialy, is likely to bring strong winds, high waves, and heavy rains between May 20 and 22," OCHA noted in its report.

Uganda

Uganda has also been hard hit, with heavy rains, floods, and landslides affecting more than 52,190 people between January and April, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The disasters have resulted in 23 deaths and 241 injuries. Infrastructural damage includes the destruction of over 1,720 houses and partial damage to 1,400 houses, as well as significant impacts on 147 water facilities, 16 schools, and eight health facilities.

The Uganda Red Cross (URCS) reported that nearly 39,190 people (8,011 families) were affected by flooding in 14 districts in May, with 3,080 families displaced.

As of May 13, some 49 people had died, 296 had been injured, and 28 were missing. Recent flooding in Masaka District is attributed to the overflow of Lake Victoria.

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority forecasts more rains throughout May.

Somalia

The Gu season's heavy rains and floods (April to June) have affected an estimated 225,760 people, with nearly 38,730 displaced or relocated as of May 14.

Areas like Dhobleyand Afmadow in the Lower Juba and Juba regions saw many displaced individuals return home due to prolonged dry periods.

The floods, according to the update, have caused significant loss of livelihoods, including livestock and cropland, and destroyed small businesses.

Damage to water sources and WASH facilities has worsened a cholera outbreak, with at least 10,640 cases and 120 deaths reported across seven states by the World Health Organization (WHO) as of May 13.

“Heavy rains and floods have resulted in the loss of livelihoods, including livestock, cropland, and destruction of small businesses. Damage to water sources, latrines, and roads has also been reported,” the report said.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia has been grappling with heavy rains and flooding since April, affecting over 560,000 people in districts including Afar, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, South Ethiopia, and South West Ethiopia People's regions, and Dire Dawa City Administration.

According to the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC), nearly 57,000 people have been displaced, though some have returned home.

Significant damage to houses, public infrastructure, and croplands has further limited access to services, especially in areas already affected by conflict, prolonged drought, and an ongoing cholera outbreak.

The Somali Region is the most affected, with at least 51,000 displaced. Damage to some 18,000 hectares of cropland and loss of livestock have severely impacted pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities.

Burundi

In this country, torrential rains have affected more than 239,780 people and forced over 36,900 from their homes due to flooding since January 2024.

"Assessments are ongoing in some of the affected areas and the number of affected people could be higher," OCHA said.