Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on Somalia

Coastal and rural communities in Somalia, as far as 4,500 km (2,800 mi) from the epicentre of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, were swept away or destroyed by the resulting tsunami on 26 December 2004.

Most of the damage was centered in the coastal parts of the autonomous Puntland state in northeastern Somalia, particularly the area between Hafun in the Bari region and Garacad in Mudug.

In Puntland, rising waters destroyed properties in Hafun and Kulub, while parts of the towns and hamlets of Bander Beyla, Eyl, Foar and Bargaal were flooded.

At Kulub, Hurdiye and other places, teams from the WFP reported that all the boats and other fishing equipment used by the residents to make a livelihood had been lost.

Previous attempts to deliver emergency relief failed after trucks were unable to pass tsunami damaged roads near Foar, a village of 1000 people which had been destroyed.