South West State, Somalia – In response to the severe El Nino rains in South West State, Somalia, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), in collaboration with the South West State Administration, has provided vital assistance to the affected population. The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), part of ATMIS, distributed essential food and non-food items in Baidoa, the capital of South West State, where over half a million people are grappling with the impact of the floods.

According to Somali National News Agency, a member of the South West State El-Nino Response Committee and ATMIS ENDF Public Information Officer, Major Ahmed, ATMIS ENDF troops have been actively engaged in rescue operations. The troops based in Bardheere, Burdhubo, and Garbaharay Forward Operating Bases in Jubaland’s Gedo region conducted evacuation and rescue operations using boats supplied by the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SODMA). The South West State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Abdinassir Abdi Arush, expressed gratitude to ATMIS for their support and called for additional assistance from other development partners.

The Minister reported that the relentless rains, which started in early October, have resulted in 17 fatalities and widespread impact, affecting areas beyond the riverbanks in the Bay, Bakool, and Lower Shabelle regions. He emphasized the urgent need for a wider response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, appealing to the federal government of Somalia and the Somali community for aid. Hawa Adan Ahmed and Ibrahim Ali Yahya, beneficiaries of the aid, expressed their appreciation for the timely assistance provided by ATMIS and the South West State regional administration.