Bulo Marer, Somalia: District administrators in Bulo Marer led by the Deputy District Commissioner, Muhidin Kharif Alio have teamed up with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia to set up a joint disaster management committee in an effort to mitigate the likely effects of floods in the area.
At a meeting that was attended by the ATMIS troops of Bulo Marer forward operating base it was resolved to set up a nine-member joint disaster management committee comprises of personnel from ATMIS, Somali National Army and District leaders.
The committee was also tasked to carry out disaster prevention and mitigation activities and communicate possible mitigation measures as well as enhance security measures in order to disrupt Al-Shabaab activities.
Mr. Muhidin Kharif Alio emphasized the need to open up water channels and improve drainage systems before the rain begins. “As a committee, we need to expeditiously solicit resources from humanitarian agencies and even ATMIS to open up channels before the rains,” said Muhidin Kharif.
It is forecasted that Somalia shall experience severe flooding, especially around river Juba and Shabelle basins. Heavy rains are expected to last for three months.
