June 14, 2005
No.  27/05

U.S. Government Provides Assistance in Response to Somali Region Floods

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -- In response to severe flooding in Somali Region, the United States Embassy through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Ethiopia provided US$50,000 (423,500 birr) to the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support emergency health interventions in flood-affected areas.  In addition, USAID airlifted 500 rolls of plastic sheeting, 10,000 blankets, and 5,000 ten-liter water containers to assist affected residents. 

Torrential rains in late April caused the Wabe Shebelle River to overflow, washing away entire villages in the surrounding areas of Somali Region.  The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than 100,000 people are affected by the flooding, including approximately 154 dead, with an undetermined number injured. Approximately 50,000 livestock have been lost, and farmlands, homes, wells, and bridges have been damaged or destroyed. 

In 2005 to date, the U.S. Government has provided more than US$277 million (2,335,500,000 birr) in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, including food assistance, emergency relief supplies, and support for health, nutrition, agriculture and livestock, water and sanitation, and rapid response interventions. USAID Ethiopia will continue to monitor the humanitarian situation in Somali Region.

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