Tsunami: Somalia situation update
The destruction of housing, shelter, water sources and assets and the loss of an estimated 150 lives have further compounded Somalia's long-running humanitarian crises. While a full needs assessment is yet to be completed, initial reports from inter-agency assessments on the ground suggest that 18,000 households were directly and indirectly affected and are in need of assistance.
This would include those populations who depend on fresh water sources along the coast and there are indications that this population could extend inland up to 50 kms. The destruction of a number of fishing boats and equipment and the subsequent loss of livelihoods is expected to add to the number of vulnerable people. Humanitarian priorities for those affected include clean water, food, medication, and support for construction and rehabilitation of houses and shelter.
Some food and non-food assistance was mobilised in the days immediately following the disaster by a number of operational agencies, but a lack of access, data and operational capacity in many areas has hindered the assessment and assistance processes.