afrol News, 16 June - Deadly torrential rains in Somalia capital, Mogadishu, killed six affecting thousands in refugee camps over the past weekend, adding to worsening humanitarian crisis in the country.

Somali residents who disserted their homes escaping prolonged fighting between Somali transitional government backed by Ethiopia troops and Islamic insurgents, were stranded in their temporary shelters which could not withhold heavy flooding.

One of victims said rain has been pouring for the past two days, making her life difficult as her shelter lacks plastic sheets. "We have lived like this since last year but we did not get anything from the aid agencies," said a victim.

A victim said her children might die due to malnutrition and cold rains, saying she has no means to protect them.

"There is nothing else I could do but to try and stop the flood into my shack with sand, we are still doing the same," another victim said.

Adults including four children died on Sunday and almost ten others were wounded after heavy rains caused flash floods sweeping away shelters at refugees' camp around Mogadishu. Seven other children suffering from hypothermia and breathing difficulties due to the weather conditions were also hospitalized, according to reports.

UN World Food Programme had warned that nearly half Somalia's population will require aid later this year, though flooding was not foreseen to be one of contributors.

Somali-Islamic insurgents' conflict has left nearly half a million people displaced since 2007.

Somalia has experienced almost constant civil conflict since the collapse of Mr Mohamed Siad Barre's regime in January 1991.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories