A School Submerged in Nature’s Wrath
Widespread flooding across Somalia has affected more than two million people and displaced half a million children.
Baidoa, 14th December 2023: In Bodan camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Baidoa, Somalia, there once stood a temporary learning centre where young minds flourished, dreams were nurtured, and friendships were forged. The school was a symbol of hope and knowledge until one fateful day when disaster struck.
Heavy rains poured relentlessly for days, causing unimaginable destruction to not only the centre but the entire city as well. The town was immersed in a deluge of water, and the center stood no chance against the force of nature. The floods mercilessly tore through the center’s weak structures, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Once filled with laughter and learning, the classrooms were now submerged in muddy water. Desks and chairs floated aimlessly, as if searching for their rightful place. Books, once cherished companions, were now soggy and torn, their pages clinging together in a desperate attempt to survive.
Teachers and students watched in disbelief as their beloved school crumbled before their eyes. But amidst the devastation, the spirit of resilience burned bright within the hearts of the community. The children were temporarily schooled under a big tree, refusing to let the floods wash away their dreams. The community, working with Bay Regional Education Committee, a UNICEF partner, and with the school’s management, came in to ensure that the repairs were done and that the school was restored to its former glory.
“The floods have taken a toll on the school, but they could not extinguish the strong spirit of our children and the community. Through their collective efforts, I am confident that the school will be rebuilt and that our children will resume their normal routines which were disrupted,” says teacher Hassan.
“The school is a safe place for not only me but all the children here as well. It is a place where we could forget all our problems and daily challenges back home and focus on building a brighter future with the support of our teachers. We are now learning under a tree, but I am happy to continue with my studies and learn my favorite subjects,” says Mohamed.
The floodwaters have gradually receded, revealing the remnants of a settlement in need of rebuilding. The whole IDP camp was affected, and several homes were washed away. The IDPs were already fragile, struggling to recover from years of a devastating drought that had wiped out their livelihoods. For the community, the reconstruction of the school was a top priority. UNICEF has stepped in to support.
Addressing the education needs of children affected by emergencies is one of UNICEF’s priorities. Working with partners, UNICEF has constructed 134 Temporary Learning Spaces in 12 drought-affected districts across Somalia, thanks to funding from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW). The children are provided with clean, safe drinking water and learning materials and the teachers are given a monthly incentive allowance.
Widespread flooding across Somalia has affected more than two million people and displaced half a million children. About 300,000 school-aged children left with no access to education since 200 schools have reportedly been damaged. Restoring these schools and getting the children back to school will be a mammoth task complicated by inadequate funding. For the current flood response, the Education Cluster is US$14.6M underfunded.
