IGAD SECRETARIAT PRESS STATEMENT/ Lina Mwamachi
Following the ongoing heavy rains and subsequent floods across the IGAD region, particularly Kenya, The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) extends profound solidarity to the people and government of Kenya in the wake of severe flash floods triggered by heavy rains across the country.
These floods have led to significant loss of life, displacement, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure across 24 out of 47 counties in the past week. The IGAD Secretariat acknowledges the profound challenges posed by these floods and expresses sincere compassion for those severely affected.
IGAD, urges extreme caution and vigilance throughout the region, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety measures and disaster preparedness protocols to mitigate further harm.
According to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), forecasts for the week of April 27 April to May 4, 2024, indicate ongoing threats of heavy rainfall in central to western Kenya, northern Uganda, southern Ethiopia, and central Somalia.
Additionally, precipitation forecasts for May suggest enhanced rainfall, particularly in the eastern part of the Greater Horn of Africa region. This poses a continued risk of flooding in hotspot areas such as the Juba-Shebelle basins and urban centers in areas with high probabilities of above-average rainfall.
The IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, extends heartfelt sympathies to those affected and commends the Kenyan Multi-Agency Response Team on Floods, led by H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, for their timely efforts in responding to the crisis, especially in Nairobi and neighboring counties. He emphasized that, as floods continue to pose challenges in the region, IGAD remains committed to collaborating with its member states to address climate change through both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
He further stated that, their current forecasts highlight the persistent threat of heavy rainfall, underscoring the need for enhanced regional cooperation in early warning systems, stressing that working together is the strongest asset in navigating the challenges we face and building a resilient future for generations to come. IGAD, says through their Climate Centre – ICPAC, IGAD will continue to provide timely forecasts and advisory measures to safeguard lives and livelihoods, ensuring a safer and more secure region for all.
The devastating floods have killed at least 193 people, including children, across the Horn of Africa in recent weeks, with more than 700,000 people displaced according to the Relief Web and rains showing no signs of slowing down according to the forecast issued by ICPAC.
According to the Technical Report on the Ongoing Flood Impact in the IGAD Region,
IGAD region is grappling with an unprecedented challenge of a climate emergency within the member states. The region, vulnerable to extreme events including floods, has again been tested by the ongoing rains.
Image: Courtesy-IGAD Secretariat
Heavy rainfall that has been recorded in the past few days, has caused widespread flooding in the region including Kenya and neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Burundi. The extent of the impacts of these floods shows the gaps in preparedness and early action despite early warning information being availed on time.
Global Report on Food Crises for East Africa 2024
Photo: Courtesy Of IGAD
Global Report on Food Crises for East Africa 2024 issued on 24th of April 2024 by the IGAD, indicates that in 2023, 281.6 million people or 21.5 per cent of the analyzed population faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 59 food-crisis countries/territories. The overall share of the analyzed population facing high levels of acute food insecurity was marginally lower than in 2022, but still higher than pre-COVID-19. Nearly 24M more people faced high levels of acute food insecurity than in 2022 – explained by expanded analysis coverage as well as deteriorating acute food insecurity in some countries/territories outweighing improvements in others. Acute food insecurity deteriorated in 12 countries with comparable data between 2022 and 2023, where 13.5M more people needed urgent assistance, mostly in the Sudan. Click the link below for more about the Global Food Report Crises for east Africa.
https://www.fsinplatform.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/GRFC2024-brief-en.pdf
