Somalia Flood: Authorities appeal for international aid to help those in need

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02:53

The rainy season's flash floods in Somalia have worsened, leaving more than 4-hundred-thousand people homeless. The country is appealing to foreign embassies to help those in need. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow has more from Mogadishu.

These children are swimming in floodwaters unaware of the health hazard it poses - their only playing ground has been turned into a lake after Shabelle River broke its banks.

This is the scene across several major towns in the south and central regions of Somalia - aid agencies say that it's a ticking time bomb for disease outbreaks like cholera and malaria.

The latest flooding has damaged homes and schools, paralyzing business and movement of people and animals - in Beledweyne - houses have been submerged forcing tens of thousands to flee to higher ground.

Adar Ali is a mother of seven - she is among the first families to move to this area known as El jale - she's now constructing a makeshift structure for her children hoping that water levels will soon go down - more than 100,000 people have fled Beledweyne to this new area.

ADAR ALI BELEDWEYNE RESIDENT "Since yesterday we are sleeping in the open -it's very cold especially for the children. I have seven of them with me and pregnant with another- I don't know how I will even give birth in this condition."

HUSSEIN OSMAN ALI DEPUTY GOVERNOR, HIRAN "Over 16,000 people have left the town because of flooding - we have moved families to El jale area but we alone cannot handle this disaster. We need the support from donors and central government."

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW MOGADISHU, SOMALIA "Health experts have expressed renewed concerns in the affected areas. Pit latrines are overflowing, contaminating the water and threatening to spread diseases, such as cholera especially among young children."

Farmers are concerned about their next harvest season as crops have been destroyed by the heavy downpour - some have lost the market for their farm produce after floodwaters cut off the main road that leads to Mogadishu. For now, this small boat is all they use to move around Jowhar.

UN warns that over 1.5 million people are in need of decent shelter. Most of those affected also include people fled their homes due to drought and conflict since last year in Somalia.

Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre chaired an emergency the session to seek support from international aid agencies as well as foreign embassies among them China, Turkey, Qatar.

ALI KHAIRE PRIME MINISTER, SOMALIA "We have ordered all available aid in our facilities be channeled to alleviate the suffering our fellow citizens- we will not abandon our people - we plan to assist all those affected."

Forecasts predict more heavy rains in the coming weeks, but until then, those affected will have to manage things on their own - their hope, for now, is an end to the rainy season. Abdulaziz Billow, CGTN, Mogadishu, Somalia.