May 21, 2024 – The heavy rains linked to El-Nino, which swept across most East African countries from April to May, have left hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and infrastructure destroyed. The relentless rainfall caused severe flooding, cutting off roads and other critical infrastructure, necessitating millions of dollars for restoration. The widespread displacements affected hundreds of thousands in Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as many as 600,000 people have been affected and many more displaced.
“The unprecedented and devastating flooding has unveiled the harsh realities of climate change, claiming lives and displacing communities. As these individuals face the daunting task of rebuilding, their vulnerability only deepens,” said Rana Jaber, Regional Director, East and Horn of Africa. “In this critical moment, even as IOM responds, the call remains urgent for sustainable efforts to address human mobility spurred by a changing climate.”
In Kenya, more than 290 people had been killed by floods by May 20, 2024, with over 2,000 schools destroyed. The torrential rains have unleashed a catastrophic series of events, including flooding, mudslides, and severe damage to vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and dams. These disasters have not only claimed numerous lives but also escalated the suffering of the affected populations and heightened the risk of waterborne diseases.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working with governments and partners to respond to the impacts of the floods by providing lifesaving assistance to affected populations. In Burundi, IOM has provided emergency shelter, blankets, cooking utensils, solar lamps, dignity kits, and other items to over 5,000 people and is supporting the relocation of those affected to safer and less flood-prone areas. IOM is also supporting communities across the country on family-level emergency response capacity even as the flooding and heavy rains continue.
In Kenya, IOM and the Kenya Red Cross, with support from the Government of Japan, are collaborating to deliver shelter and essential household items to support 39,000 people in Eastern, Central, and Western Kenya – the most severely flood-affected parts of the country. In neighboring Somalia, the organization is targeting approximately 240,000 people with shelter materials, hygiene kits, essential medical care, and psychosocial support, among other services.
In Ethiopia, IOM has supported over 70,000 people affected by floods across the Somali and Oromia regions. The assistance, provided through the Rapid Response Fund in collaboration with eight non-governmental organizations, includes emergency shelter, essential items, and cash assistance.
Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change, despite contributing only about 4 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions. The East and Horn of Africa have particularly been impacted by alternating cycles of drought and intense precipitation over the last decade. However, this is the heaviest rain and worst flooding seen in decades in the affected countries.
As the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) global climate change discussions in Germany draw near this June, set to shape the agenda for the Conference of Parties (COP), it becomes evident that discussions on climate change must now include considerations of human mobility.
The ongoing crisis in East Africa underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and support the resilience of vulnerable communities.