. After the Tsunami: Rapid Environmental Assessment. NATIONAL RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL DESK ASSESSMENT - SOMALIA activity and plans for their protection. An assessment of the coral reefs is therefore needed to determine the extent of damage caused by the tsunami and other natural disasters such as El Ni_o as well as general degradation arising from long years of pressure from human activities and management neglect. lUCN is working with local authorities and NGOs to monitor fisheries and establish a protected area in the Saad ed Din Islands. Surface and groundwater Surface and groundwater were hard
. After the Tsunami: Rapid Environmental Assessment. NATIONAL RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL DESK ASSESSMENT - SOMALIA activity and plans for their protection. An assessment of the coral reefs is therefore needed to determine the extent of damage caused by the tsunami and other natural disasters such as El Ni_o as well as general degradation arising from long years of pressure from human activities and management neglect. lUCN is working with local authorities and NGOs to monitor fisheries and establish a protected area in the Saad ed Din Islands. Surface and groundwater Surface and groundwater were hard hit by the impacts of the tsunami. Specifically, freshwater bodies and fishery breeding grounds were contaminated with the saline water. Wells located in the coastal areas where seawater has penetrated have become clogged or buried by sand washed in by the giant waves, resulting in brackish and polluted waters. The sea water may have also invaded the porous rocks thus contaminating the underground water with salt. The coastal communities depend on surface and groundwater for survival. This is a serious public health issue because local water sources have been contaminated. The long-term impacts or reversibility of this situation are unknown at this stage. Coastal communities will have to wait for rains to flush out the saline water from the aquifers and the porous rocks that hold the groundwater. It may take years for the rains to cleanse the rocks. An assessment and detailed analysis of surface and groundwater quality is urgently needed and its outcome wall serve as a basis for developing appropriate intervention Hafun, Somalia. Nurto Ibrahim Mudey outside a makeshift house in the village of Hafun, Somalia. Mudey's house was destroyed by the tsunami on 26 December, and she lost her husband and six-month-old son. © Mugo Njeru/Daily Nation 132. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability
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