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Amisom peacekeepers to the rescue as floods overwhelm Somalia

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Peacekeepers attached to the African Union Missions in Somalia (Amisom) have joined in helping victims of massive flooding in the country.

Djibouti, Ethiopian peacekeepers and the Somali National Army (SNA) were helping in the delivery of food and relocation of hundreds of people to safer grounds.

One of the two rivers passing through Somalia’s central and southern regions, The Shabelle, has burst its banks at several points affecting thousands of people. The river has risen eight metres above normal following the onset of the long rains.

Over 100,000 people have moved to higher grounds on the outskirts of the Beledweyne town, the capital of Hiran region, 335km north of Mogadishu and many more remained stranded in parts of the town.

Mohamed Abdi Ware, President of Hirshabelle State, an authority in Central Somalia commended the efforts by the Amisom troops.

“Over 100,000 people, roughly 26,000 families, have moved to the outskirts of Beledweyne town,” said President Ware, addressing a press conference, with almost half of his body under the flood waters.

“We thank the Amisom troops and the SNA forces for assisting the flood-affected people,” he said.

“We urgently request the federal government of Somalia and the international community to come to the rescue of the people in Hirshabelle State, especially in Beledweyne town,” the regional leader pleaded.

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