Joint UNHCR-OCHA rapid assessment on the impact of rains on Baidoa IDPs

30 April 2017
Introduction:
From 27 April 2017, Baidoa started to receive continuous heavy rains that left the town flooded with
water; washing away weak shelter structures, leaving vulnerable IDP households out in the cold. The
three days rains rendered some of the main streets of Baidoa almost impassible, restricting free
movements. Although, there are no reported human casualties directly because of the rains, the local
population mentioned the damage of public and personal properties.
UNHCR and OCHA visited some of the affected IDPs settlements in Baidoa with the aim of assessing the
current situation after the Gu rains that began in earnest some three days back.
Findings and Observations
Many of the IDPs were affected by the rains. Their living conditions have deteriorated. This is
because many of the IDPs live in weakly built shelters that cannot withstand strong winds, most of
them without plastic sheeting resulting in water sipping / leaking into their accommodations.
Due to the severity of the weather conditions in the last 72 hours with rains normally starting in the
late afternoons into the night, some of the IDPs sought to spend the night elsewhere in town,
including with relatives for those that have. They return to their shelters during the day.
Two malnourished children (two and eight months old) in Mohor and Manyow IDP settlements
reportedly died as a result of the cold weather.
Most of the IDPs settlements were inaccessible due to the wet and muddy ground.
People were observed using accumulated surface rain water for washing and drinking.
The IDPs have dug drainages for easy passage / rain water to flow.
IDPs with shelters with plastic sheets were sharing shelters with those that did not have.
Most IDPs reinforced the foundations of the weak structures, raising the embankments with soil,
sand and / or stones to prevent water flooding to their shelters.
Recommendations:

Community sensitization / education on the risks of using unpurified water particularly that open
defecation was common.
Increased coverage in provision of hygiene kits (WASH supplies) to mitigate the risks of the spread of
water borne diseases, including dysentery, AWD and cholera.
Preparedness of medical facilities with appropriate drugs for water borne diseases, including malaria
Continuation of provision of clean and safe water (especially water trucking) to discourage IDPs from
using surface water.
Provision of emergency shelter / plastic sheets to those who did not receive (planned but delayed)
Provision of ready-to-eat meals for most-vulnerable households with no access to dry cooking fuel.
Conduct an intentions survey for IDPs to have an idea about return (for farming) following the rains.
END