Somalia: Farmajo cancels trip to Burundi because of floods

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has on Sunday called off his planned trip to Burundi on Sunday to coordinate flood relief efforts at home, Garowe Online reports.

The President was scheduled to attend the final match of the 2018 U-17 CECAFA tournament between Somalia and Tanzania that will be played on Sunday, April 29 in Gitega, Burundi, according to sources at Villa Somalia.

The Federal government of Somalia dispatched a high-level delegation to Burundi on Saturday to encourage the under -17 national soccer team win the CECAFA Cup for the first time ever.

Farmajo is expected to spearhead the 22-member of National Disaster Response committee to respond the humanitarian catastrophe in some parts the country as result of the floods.

The UN and International aid agencies say "hundreds of thousands" were left homeless as a result of torrential rains and floods that hit the central and southern regions of Somalia.

Beledweyne, the regional capital of Hiran is the most flood-hit city in central Somalia, where more than 100,000 of people are now in dire need of humanitarian aid after the river flooding washed away their houses.

The local health officials say thousands of flood victims, mostly children are at risk of water-borne diseases.

As the situation worsens, HirShabelle State President, Mohamed Abdi Waare while standing in the water appealed the International aid agencies and Somali government to urgently respond and help the flood victims to avert further suffering.

GAROWE ONLINE