![[Ethiopia] A bridge that was destroyed by the floods in the middle of Dire Dawa city. [Date picture taken: 08/08/2006]](https://assets.thenewhumanitarian.org/s3fs-public/styles/responsive_large_2x/public/images/20068103.jpg.webp?itok=wK8b00e9 "Past flood damage in Ethiopia: Flash floods in the Gambella regional state have spread to four woredas")
More than 200,000 people have been affected by the floods that have hit several regions of Ethiopia, leaving thousands of women and children homeless, vulnerable to deadly water-borne diseases and facing a battle for survival because the raging waters destroyed houses, livelihoods and food stores, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said.
At least 630 people have died from the floods. According to UNICEF, families are facing multiple displacements as the river levels rise due to continuing rainfall, especially in the western, central highlands and northwestern areas of Ethiopia where several rivers have flooded.
The worst affected areas are Dire Dawa, South Omo Zone of the Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples' Region (SNNPR), and parts of Amhara, Oromia, Gambella, Somali and Tigray regions.
In Dire Dawa, where heavy rains in the highlands of East Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, caused flash floods from the overflow of Dechatu stream to hit the town at night in August, more than 9,000 people were affected and 256 killed. Most of the affected people are temporarily sheltered in six sites, including schools and other compounds.
In the SNNPR, the overflow of Omo River in August severely affected about 8,000 people in Dasenech and Gnangatom areas of South Omo Zone. It killed 364 people and swept away properties, including 760 traditional grain stores. According to UNICEF, this area is one of the worst affected in the country. A flash flood from Bilate River also affected 5,370 households in Humbo Woreda of Wolayita Zone.
Flooding also occurred in Amhara Region, displacing at least 13,362 people; in West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, where 14,790 people are affected; and Gambella, Somali and Tigray.
"The meteorological forecast for the coming weeks is daunting," said UNICEF in an appeal issued on Wednesday for aid for the affected women and children. A total of 524,400 remain vulnerable to flood disaster throughout Ethiopia. It appealed for shelter materials, especially plastic sheeting, mattresses and blankets and cooking utensils.
On Monday, Ethiopia's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency and humanitarian agencies appealed for US $27,099,526 to meet the emergency food, non-food, and rehabilitation needs of the country.
eo/mw
At least 630 people have died from the floods. According to UNICEF, families are facing multiple displacements as the river levels rise due to continuing rainfall, especially in the western, central highlands and northwestern areas of Ethiopia where several rivers have flooded.
The worst affected areas are Dire Dawa, South Omo Zone of the Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples' Region (SNNPR), and parts of Amhara, Oromia, Gambella, Somali and Tigray regions.
In Dire Dawa, where heavy rains in the highlands of East Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, caused flash floods from the overflow of Dechatu stream to hit the town at night in August, more than 9,000 people were affected and 256 killed. Most of the affected people are temporarily sheltered in six sites, including schools and other compounds.
In the SNNPR, the overflow of Omo River in August severely affected about 8,000 people in Dasenech and Gnangatom areas of South Omo Zone. It killed 364 people and swept away properties, including 760 traditional grain stores. According to UNICEF, this area is one of the worst affected in the country. A flash flood from Bilate River also affected 5,370 households in Humbo Woreda of Wolayita Zone.
Flooding also occurred in Amhara Region, displacing at least 13,362 people; in West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, where 14,790 people are affected; and Gambella, Somali and Tigray.
"The meteorological forecast for the coming weeks is daunting," said UNICEF in an appeal issued on Wednesday for aid for the affected women and children. A total of 524,400 remain vulnerable to flood disaster throughout Ethiopia. It appealed for shelter materials, especially plastic sheeting, mattresses and blankets and cooking utensils.
On Monday, Ethiopia's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency and humanitarian agencies appealed for US $27,099,526 to meet the emergency food, non-food, and rehabilitation needs of the country.
eo/mw
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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