With road and air transport virtually cut off, helicopters and boats are the only viable option for the present. The United Nations Secretary-General issued a statement on 10 November, urging the international community to urgently provide assistance to the victims of the floods and calling for support of Somali faction leaders to facilitate the provision of aid. Assistance Needs 5. Most urgently needed are helicopters and boats to reach more than 150,000 displaced people, as well as people cut off by water in the villages or towns. As of 7 November, all but 2 airstrips are reported to be under water, and these can not accommodate large cargo planes.
Roads are in a similar state, and bridges are down.
As much as helicopters and boats, this coordinated inter-agency response, prepared by the UN and NGOs, requires USD 4.6 million in supplies and a further USD 5 million in cash. This figure will be updated as appropriate. DHA is releasing a USD50,000 emergency grant to cover the immediate relief needs. Furthermore, DHA is channelling a contribution of USD40,000 from the Government of Norway to be used for the same purpose. However, there are still large needs to be covered.