Somalia: Rains finally arrive!

NAIROBI [ACTED News] - Currently, Somalia is in its long rainy season, and analysts are keen to track and forecast rainfall patterns across this vulnerable region. ACTED is particularly eager to follow the rain fall levels in Juba and Bay. FEWSNET reported that “During the first ten days of May, light to moderate rains ranging 10 to 50 millimeters were received in parts of the Northwest, parts of the Northeast, and the Southern and Central regions, with “parts of Bay, Lower and Middle Shabelle, and Lower and Middle Juba regions receiving substantial rainfall.” However, just because there are early signs of good rainfall, the rest of the season could fail and/or flooding occurs. Humanitarian organizations need to remain vigilant to this possibility, and prepared to respond, in the case of emergency. Many of the humanitarian crises facing Somali populations have come about as a result of failed rainy seasons, resulting in drought, reduction or failure of crop production (resulting in severe food in security, and in some years, famine) and an increase in health problems relating to water shortages.