MOGADISHU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- More than 30,000 displaced people are in need of humanitarian assistance after flooding in Somalia's south-central region of Beletweyne, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.
Albert Jabre, the region's field coordinator for ICRC Somalia, on Friday said the displaced people were in need of food and safe drinking water.
"This flooding is the worst in years. It covered most of the town and surroundings. As the people move to higher grounds, they are in need of everything,"Jabre said in a statement.
"The ICRC is providing food and other basic items, clean water and health care to the most affected communities. This will enable them to hold on as they start to rebuild their homes," he added.
The ICRC and Somali Red Cross Society this week carried out a five-day distribution of rice, oil, beans, blankets and mosquito nets for the displaced people.
About 100,000 water purification tablets were distributed, with each family receiving 20 tablets, enough to be used for one month. One tablet can purify 20 litres of drinking water.
Beletweyne hosts about 31,000 displaced people, most of whom have fled conflict in the neighboring districts of Jalalqsi and Bulle Burte.
Local residents who lived in low-lying areas have moved to higher ground in El Jaale, 5 km from Beletweyne, due to the flooding.
The flood is a result of heavy rains in the upper part of the Ethiopian highlands that have caused river Shabelle to overflow.
Shafi Ibrahim, a local elder, said the flood has destroyed crops and that many fields remain inaccessible.
"The flood has destroyed almost everything. The majority of the community here operates a small business in a local market. They could no longer work as the place is submerged with water. We do hope in a month's time it will dry up and we can start rebuilding our lives," said Ibrahim.
There have been fears about the outbreak of diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera and typhoid, following the flooding.
