Flash Floods in Ethiopia and Somalia
Due to three long years of droughts, and an extreme amount of rainfall
Flash flooding is a sudden and devastating natural disaster that can cause loss of life and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land. In March 2023, Ethiopia and Somalia were hit by such flooding, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. In the first 25 days of March parts of Ethiopia received 5 to 10 cm of more rain than usual for this period.
This shows two maps of the Shabelle River only 29 days apart, after flash flooding occurred. The image on the left was taken March 11th and the image on the right is taken April,7th.
The floods, which have also affected refugees in northeastern Kenya’s Dadaab camp, have damaged businesses, swept away homes and food supplies, closed more than 200 schools, destroyed community water points, and increased chances of disease outbreaks including cholera and malaria.
400 deaths have occurred as of may 4th due to this flash flooding, and have left 100's of thousands of people affected and injured.
Due to the flood it reduced crop production, drove food prices higher, increased inflation, and put a strain on economic growth.
More than 1,000 hectares of cropland have been swamped by recent rains, challenging the agricultural economies in Ethiopia and Somalia. This Intense rainfall following extensive drought can wash away crops and topsoil.
To our target audience...
We have realized what a devastation this has been to there region, and isnt being broadcasted in mainstream media as it should be. This is a topic that has many target audiences considering how it is affecting so many and there is clearly a problem happening with our climate that needs to be addressed.
The humanitarian response to the flooding was challenging due to the scale of the disaster and the limited resources available to support the affected communities. Humanitarian organizations need to start working to provide emergency assistance and support to those impacted by the floods, but more support is needed to ensure that the affected populations can recover and rebuild their lives.
The flooding also highlighted the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures in the region. With climate change extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, it is crucial to invest in measures that can help communities adapt and build resilience to these shocks.
Photograph taken April 1st by astronauts of the sediment-rich flood water on top of the banks of the Shabelle River
Concluding What we Learned
Throughout our exploration of the African continent, we have uncovered the devastating effects of land degradation and desertification, which pose a significant threat to the people and the environment of the region. We have seen how factors such as climate change, overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable land management practices have contributed to the loss of fertile soil, the depletion of natural resources, and the degradation of ecosystems.
The consequences of this environmental crisis are far-reaching and complex. Not only does land degradation threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa, but it also exacerbates poverty, social inequality, and political instability. Moreover, the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services that result from land separation affects the entire planet, contributing to global climate change, loss of carbon dioxide, and reduced resilience to natural disasters.
Sources Used:
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/151208/heavy-rains-hit-drought-stricken-horn-of-africa#:~:text=The%20Horn%20of%20Africa%20has,and%20killed%203.8%20million%20livestock.
