Garowe (RBC) Assistance from the Puntland authorities, the UN and partners continues to arrive in the hardest hit areas as water-logged roads begin to clear and repairs made. Puntland authorities completed a bypass on a break in the main road between Garowe and Dangaroyo, facilitating the delivery of relief supplies. UN, ICRC, and partners have set up an operational hub in Dangoroyo from where they have reached some of the hardest hit areas with emergency non-food items and medical supplies starting on 13 November and with food starting on 15 November.
The aerial assessment conducted on 15 November confirmed that most hard-walled structures were not significantly damaged and pinpointed areas of supply routes in need of repair. No large groupings of displaced populations were observed, though traditional shelters were either absent or skeletal without covering.
Despite this progress, Puntland authorities continued to express discontent with the pace and form of assistance.
Estimated impact:
- From 650 medical consultations conducted so far, information gathered confirms 80 reported deaths, mostly of children and the elderly who were most vulnerable to hypothermia and exposure.
- Garowe and Bossaso airports operational as of 13 November.
- Thousands of livestock are reported dead as a consequence of icy rain, which was noted in the aerial assessment. FAO estimates 800,000 livestock were in the affected area. Anecdotal evidence suggests a less than 10 per cent survival rate for livestock in the hardest hit areas.
- Possible disease and contamination of water sources from decaying animal remains is a major concern in the short term with restocking of herds being a medium to long term issue.
- Numerous water sources have been flooded and are no longer serviceable or are contaminated.
- While hard-walled structures appeared mostly intact, makeshift structures for pastoralists were conspicuously absent or just frames, likely destroyed or damaged by high winds and rains.
Coordination and assessments
- From the outset, Puntland authorities established a task force comprising key ministries, UN agencies, and NGOs, led by the Puntland Ministry of Interior, which continues to meet daily in Garowe.
- Assessments by land and air were conducted on 15 and 16 November and are on-going. The health cluster on the ground identified gaps in water, shelter, food, and NFI around Dangaroyo while a joint UN and partners aerial assessment confirmed reports of major livestock losses
Response:
- Puntland authorities dispatched 32 trucks of supplies and 300 military forces to the affected areas.
- 340 MT of food dispatched by WFP from Bosasso to Bandarbayla, Dangaroyo, and Eyl started to arrive on 15 November. Distribution of food commenced on 16 November at numerous food distribution points. Supplies are adequate for one month for approximately 4,000 households.
- So far, some 1,400 families have received rations for one month, NFI and WASH Supplies.
- An additional 1,000 NFI kits and medical supplies from ICRC and the health cluster respectively have arrived in Dangorayo town, which is marked as one of the hardest hit areas, based on existing information.
- NRC has 240 tents available that are being transported with the assistance of WFP.
- UNICEF pledged 2.5 million aqua tabs and chlorine as part of ongoing efforts to provide potable water.
- Seven water points have been identified with local authorities for rehabilitation.
- IRC has supplied 20 barrels of fuel and UNICEF has supplied implements for the disposal of animal remains.
- Puntland authorities announce receipt of relief supply shipments from Ethiopia and Djibouti, including Ethiopian assistance in repairing of roads.
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