MOGADISHU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Prolonged rainfall and flash floods in Somalia have led to an increase in cholera cases, disproportionately affecting displaced women and children, global charity CARE International warned on Friday.
According to the charity, 123 lives were lost to cholera between January and June. The organization said that its national partners are working to provide affected communities with medical services, clean water and sanitation facilities.
"We fear that the cases might increase as seasonal rains and flash floods are expected to affect at least 770,000 people in the next few months," Abdifarhan Gure, CARE Somalia deputy country director of programs, said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
Gure said flooding, which has mostly affected displaced women and children, threatens to worsen as communities lack access to clean water. Its supported health facilities treated over 11,925 acute diarrhea cases from January to May, with more than 60 percent of patients being children under five.
Water infrastructure were destroyed, leaving thousands without clean water and sanitation, Gure said.
The underfunding of the Somalia Humanitarian Response plan, with only 23 percent of the needed funds received, is a significant concern. According to CARE, it is essential to scale up support to address the growing needs and prevent further loss of life.
Cases of AWD/cholera have risen across the East African country, which is attributed to limited access to potable water due to contamination of water sources that were submerged by flood water, high level of malnutrition among children, lack of proper sanitation, and difficulties in accessing health centers.
According to the World Health Organization, Somalia is currently experiencing a cholera outbreak, exacerbated by the floods in December 2023, which destroyed sanitation facilities and caused further displacements.
In 2023, more than 18,304 cumulative cases and 46 deaths were reported in Somalia over half being children aged below five years. ■
