The United Kingdom has allocated an additional £2.5 million to Somalia to strengthen preparedness for floods expected during the *Deyr* rainy season (October to December 2026), as weather forecasts indicate an increasing risk of flooding in parts of the country.
The funds are being channeled through the RESTORE program, which focuses on restoring the Shabelle River ecosystem, managing water resources, and building the resilience of communities living in flood-prone areas.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this new funding will bolster early warning systems, evacuation plans, flood mitigation measures, and cash assistance for vulnerable families; the program is being implemented by the FAO, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and World Vision.
This alert comes as Somalia prepares for the *Deyr* rainy season, with international agencies warning that El Niño conditions could increase rainfall and flooding in the Jubba and Shabelle river valleys. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) stated that if El Niño intensifies alongside other weather conditions, there is a significant risk of severe flooding along the two river basins. However, the agency emphasized that the forecast does not guarantee that major flooding will occur.
The £2.5 million allocated to RESTORE is part of a £5 million aid package for Somalia announced by the UK on September 24.
Half of the funds have been allocated to RESTORE, while the remaining £2.5 million is designated for the “Caafimaad Plus” program, which supports health, nutrition, water, and sanitation services, as well as protection for vulnerable populations.
The UK government stated that up to 600,000 people could benefit from the services supported by the package, including residents of nearly 100 camps for internally displaced persons.
El Niño-related floods in Somalia in 2023 affected approximately 2.48 million people and displaced nearly 1.2 million, according to the UK government.
Aid agencies are now seeking to apply lessons learned from those floods, prioritizing proactive measures taken before flooding occurs rather than waiting until after the disaster has struck.
RESTORE is not limited solely to flood relief. The program is part of long-term efforts to improve water management, irrigation, and community resilience along the Shabelle River.
The large-scale Jowhar Offstream Storage Programme (JOSP) is also underway; it is designed to store excess water during rainy seasons to mitigate flooding and provide a water supply for use during periods of drought. The FAO stated that once fully implemented, the JOSP could mitigate flood and drought risks affecting up to 1.65 million people across five districts in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions.
Aid agencies are urging the authorities and the community to make the most of the time before heavy rains arrive by preparing evacuation routes, safe locations, and emergency relief supplies.
