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Participatory Assessments Report: The Lives of Internally Displaced People in November 2012

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Table of content

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I. Introduction……….……………………………………………….2 UNHCR II. Background……….……………………………………………….3 III. Methodology……….……………………………………………...4 IV. Key findings and solutions proposed by IDPs……….……………5 A. Women and Girls…………………………………………..………5 B. Men and Boys………………………….………………….……….9 V. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations…………………...... 12

I. Introduction

The Protection Cluster of Somaliland conducted participatory assessments with internally displaced persons from different ages and backgrounds in August 2012. Group discussions with a total of 275 IDPs took place; women (91), girls (66), boys (55) and men (83). IDPs from Somaliland rural areas belong to and Darood clans and those from South Central belong to Hawiye, Rahanweyn and Ajuraan clans.

The discussions were organized and facilitated from 23 to 29 August by the Leaders of the Protection Cluster , the Ministry of Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (MRRR) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) with the collaboration of the following members of the Protection Cluster:

United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Norwegian refugee council (NRC), Danish Refugee Council (DRC), World Vision International, Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Somaliland (CCBRS), Gaashaan Women Development, ASSAL Youth Organization, Tawakal Women’s Organization, Activists Network for Disable Persons (ANDP), Lasanod Youth Voluntary Organization (LYVO) and Garsoor Social Development

The objective of the exercise was to give the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Somaliland the chance to participate in the decisions that directly affect their lives, to identify gaps in protection of survivors of Gender Based Violence, and to inquire from IDPs about their plans for the future and how they see the issue of solutions. This information should promote a planning process for solutions.

This report presents the result of the discussions with persons assisted by the humanitarian community in Somaliland through the coordination of the MRRR, OCHA and UNHCR. While

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the majority of those assisted are protracted Displaced People 1 from different and South-Central by drought or armed conflict, there are also needy Somali

people among the assisted population. The Protection Cluster estimated that 86.1000 individuals 3 are displaced in Somaliland; however, government sources indicate that more than 300.000 are in need of such assistance.

The participatory assessment comes at a timely moment to provide avenues for effective

UNHCR responses adapted to this situation. The results of the discussions are meant to constitute a starting point in the formulation of future activities, particularly in regard to the promotion and planning of the return, relocation or local integration operations and reduction of Sexual and Gender Based Violence along 2013 and 2016. It is hoped that these discussions will shape strategies adapted to the needs expressed by our population of concern. II. Background

As of January 2012, Somaliland was hosting 85,000 IDPs living in 29 IDP settlements. During the first half of the year this population has increased by 6000 persons. Drought and on-going conflicts continue to be the cause of the displacement. While the Protection Cluster conducted several profiling and protection assessment missions, no comprehensive IDP registration has taken place yet. Extrapolating from sample demographic breakdowns, IDP women and children constitute the majority of the population. The majority of IDPs from Somaliland are illiterate and their main source of income in their place of origin was livestock trading. IDPs from South Central Somalia are carpenters, mechanics or handcrafts producers.

The draft national IDPs policy Somaliland considers IDPs from South Central Somalia as “illegal foreigners ” and they are subjected to different human rights abuses including deliberate arrests and forceful return to other parts of Somalia. Gender Based Violence against women continues to be a main concern for the protection cluster Hargeisa. IDPs from south central lack sufficient clan protection and face both, physical and legal protection incidents.

The Protection Cluster in Hargeisa has made efforts to find long term solutions and to provide emergency relief for IDPs in Somaliland. Profiling and rapid assessments have focused on durable solutions strategies. It has been found that a considerable part of the population would be interested in returning to their place of origin in safety and dignity conditions. Others would prefer to be locally integrated.

In the first half of 2012, 75 families comprising of 450 individuals have been identified in order to be provided with permanent shelters. Up to now ownership certificates have been issued. Similar solutions are to be found for 1355 families comprising of 6775 IDPs living in Hargeisa.

The Protection Cluster in Hargeisa is led by UNHCR and Ministry of Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and is composed by 30 active members, including national and international agencies.

The situation of our persons of concern is monitored by the Protection Monitoring Network and Population Movement Tracking and the Gender Based Violence Working Group has put in place several initiatives to prevent and reduce the risk of GBV including female genital mutilation.

1The majority of the displaced population in Somaliland came to its territory between 5 and 20 years ago. It is estimated that out of 86100 , only 7000 individuals were displaced in 2012

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Some of the initiatives include, awareness raising campaigns, provision of legal, medical and psychological services, or implementation of a common data collection system.

4 III. Methodology

Prior to the exercise, a preparatory meeting was conducted with all the Participatory Assessment

UNHCR (PA) members. The purpose of this meeting was to explain the objectives of the participatory assessment and provide clear guidance on the way to facilitate structured discussions.

Three training events for PA’s facilitators took place:

- on 22 nd August at UNHCR office in Hargeisa; - on 25 th August at DRC office in Sool ; - on 26 th August at NRC office in Burao.

Among the trainees there were members of non-government organizations that operate in Somaliland such as ASSAL, GAASHAAN, TAWAKAL, ANDP, GARSOOR, LYVO, World vision, CCBRS, DRC, or NRC. The Ministries of Resettlement, Rehabilitation or Reconstruction (MRRR) and Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) also participated in the training

The research population for the PA comprises 1,985 families of 11,910 persons accommodated in 5 IDP settlements. The locations of the settlements include Dami settlement in Lasanod, Mohamed Ali settlement in Burao, Labisagale and Nasahablood settlements in Maroodi Jeex, and Gargara settlement in region. The IDPs left their place of origin between five years (Burao/ or Hargeisa/Maroodi Jeex) and four months (Labisagale/Maroodi Jeex and Gargara/Awdal) ago.

Every day four different missions took place. Each mission visited one IDP settlement and conducted in the site four different group discussions. The four group discussions comprised a mixed group of IDP leaders and community representative males, b) a separate group of women; c) a separate group of girls d) and a separate group of boys. Two meetings were organized, one before the first day mission, and one after the last one. The first meeting objective was to summarize and agreed on the main findings and follow-up recommendations of the groups. IDPs were eager to share with the Protection Cluster members their concerns.

As recommended by the UNHCR Tool for Participatory Assessments in Operations , findings were recorded on systematization forms. These forms identify the protection needs discussed by the interviewees; the capacities among the communities to address these needs and the solutions proposed by the refugees themselves to improve their situation. Consolidated systematization forms of the four groups (women, girls, men, and boys) can be consulted upon request of interested organizations. A concluding meeting should be organized with all the PA’s members to formally discuss the findings in a holistic approach and see how to incorporate the recommendations into planning processes. Members of the PA will be provided with a participation certificate. Findings of the PA should then be shared with other members of the humanitarian community.

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IV. Key findings and recommendations

5 A. Women and girls

A.1. Findings

UNHCR A total of 91 IDP women and 66 IDP girls were interviewed through group discussions. All of them expressed gratitude towards government and members of the humanitarian community; however, they manifested some protection and security concerns.

1. Physical security and Protection Risks

 Sexual and Gender Base Violence (SGVB)

In spite of the sensitivity of the subject and its social implications, women and girls reported that sexual assaults, domestic violence and forced/early marriage happen in the IDP settlements and surrounded areas. They also indicated that protection mechanisms are weak and insufficient.

Rape and other sexual assaults :

In Labisagale settlement, women from Isaaq clan who recently fled the bordering area with claim rape and other sexual assault at the hands of the Ethiopian security forces. The women said that the incidents normally take place when approaching the border in search of fire wood or other natural resources present in that area. On the contrary, the risk of conflicts with the host community is minimized by their common clan linage.

In Mohamed Ali (Burao/Togdheer region) and Nasahablood (Hargeisa/Maroodi Jeex region) settlements women and girls from Isaaq, Hawiye, Rahanweyn and Ajuraan clans indicated that rape is perpetrated by the young gangs at the IDP settlement, which is located inside the town. IDP girls from Darood, Rahanweyn and Ajuraan clans who live in Dami (Lasanod) also complained about sexual abuses at the hands of young gangs inside the settlements. They said that most of the assaults occur at night in isolated or poorly illuminated areas. In Gargara cultural and social sensitivities impeded discussions on this matter with the enumerators.

In all the settlements women and girls said that sexual abuses are not retaliated but rather used by some men as the unique way of access to sexual intercourses or marriage.

Domestic Violence

IDP women and girls laughed whilst referring to the usual domestic violence incidents as ‘ a family issue’. They pointed out that the high rate of unemployment and the recurrent consumption of Khat by men caused the violence.

Forced/Early Marriage

In Mohammed Ali settlement (Burao/Togdheer region) forced and early marriage is a regular practice for the families of Hawiye and Rahanweyn clans. Marriages of girls aged between 12-18 year-old are arranged by their parents who receive 600.000 Somaliland Shilling (USA $ 95) as compensation.

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IDP women explained that girls without education or job prospects are to be married as soon as

possible. IDP girls understand that they contribute to their clans’ empowerment by getting 6 married and giving birth. Sometimes, forced/early marriages are the result of the clan leaders’ mediation in cases of rape, where the perpetrator would be requested to marry the victim.

 Access to Justice for victims of Gender Based Violence

UNHCR Most of the GBV incidents go unreported due to fear of stigmatization or simply because they are socially accepted or considered to be a family matter. In Dami IDP settlement (Lasanod of Sool region) one of the women said, “ If I were raped, I would never report it; being raped equals to being dead. If it were reported my family and I will be tagged with this event for ever ;

In the five settlements targeted by the PA discussions women referred to traditional justice (mediation of clan leaders) as the most frequent response to rape or domestic violence. They also said that compensation to male relatives of the victim or marriage with the perpetrators is likely to be agreed by the clan leaders. In cases of domestic violence, women are normally advised to remain with their families.

In urban settlements such as Mohamed Ali (Burao), Nasahablood (Hargeisa) and Dami (Lasanod), women often report sexual abuses to the police, who usually seek the mediation of the clan leaders to resolve the matter.

The IDP women of the five settlements did not mention having access to any other support.

 Discrimination and diversion of assistance distribution

IDP Women and girls from South Central who belong to Hawiye, Rahanweyn and Ajuraan clans present in Mohamed Ali (Burao), Dami (Lasanod) and Nasahablood (Hargeisa) report discrimination in accessing to assistance. They said that Somalilanders from Isaaq and Darood clans have easier access to assistance and services2 provided by government and non-government agencies, as IDPs from South-Central are considered “ foreigners”. In addition, women and girls reported being subject of lootings and robberies at the hands of male IDPs and members of the host communities .

 Child protection. Access to Education and Child Labor

In Labisagale (Marodi Jeex) and Mohammed Ali (Burao, Togdheer), IDP girls complained about the lack of access to education 3. Girls aged between 10 and 18 year-old are normally encouraged by their families to work as house cleaners for what they get an approximate wage of 7000 SL shilling a day. Girls from Lasanod also said that many times their work is unpaid. In these cases, they have to look for another job.

2 Access to food and NFI are among the services mentioned by the IDPs. Health care is not available in any of the settlements visited. 3 In Labisagale, Mohamed Ali and Dami settlements there is one Koran school which is congested and lacks appropriate furniture. In Gargara and Nasahablood there is no school or other kind of education opportunities for children.

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In all the settlements girls think that going to the school would prevent sexual harassment and

give them other opportunities apart from getting married or cleaning houses. 7  Livelihoods

Prostitution UNHCR Although IDP women and girls did not mention their engagement in prostitution, IDP men and boys living in Mohamed Ali settlement ( Burao, Togdheer) reported that young girls aged between 14 -20 year-old often resort to prostitution as a survival mechanism, which exacerbates the prevalent health risks in the settlements where no medical services are available.

House cleaning

As above indicated very young girls usually work as house cleaners failing to access to the very limited education opportunities for IDP children 4

Street and Livestock traders

IDP women from Mohamed Ali settlement (Tog) sell food in the streets of Burao and IDP women from Labisagale (Maroodi Jeex) and Gargara (Awdal) trade livestock. These women requested the enumerators that the government and the humanitarian community implement revolving funds as done it some years ago.

2. Durable solutions

Return to their places of origin

IDP women of Nasahablood (Hargeisa, Maroodi Jeex), Mohamed Ali (Burao, Togdheer), and Dami (Sool) who belong to the already mentioned South Central Somalia clans expressed their wish to return to Mogadishu, Baydhabo and Jawhar of Banaadir, Bay and Middle Shabelle regions respectively. On the contrary, some of the girls thought that in the current location they would have more chances to get access to education and other sources of income rather than agro-pastoralist related activities. However, there were other girls who would not object returning with their mothers to their place of origin.

It is worth noting that most women have never contacted their husbands since their flight to Somaliland. Some women said that their husbands migrated to Yemen and Saudi Arabia; some others indicated that their husbands remained in South Central Somalia. As a consequence women would take the final decision on their family’s durable solution option.

They explained that at the current location there is limited access to livelihood opportunities, or humanitarian assistance, including land ownership or appropriate response in cases of sexual abuses or other kind of physical threats. The women also think that due to the relative stability of South Central (as reported by the media); more income opportunities would be available for them if they returned home. However, they expressed concerns that their land properties might have been occupied by the majority clans, and they have no means to travel to South-Central Somalia.

4 In Labisagale some girls attend Koranic school.

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As for IDP women and girls from Somaliland and Samaroon clan currently living in Gargara of

Awdal region, return was pointed out as an appropriate solution if they were assisted to resume 8 livestock trading and education for girls ensured. Some of the places for return are rural areas in Kalawle, Tuurka, and Xaliimaale of Garbodadar district Awdal region.

Local Integration UNHCR IDP women and girls Darood clan members living in Dami settlement (Sool) are willing to remain at their current location. They do not feel discriminated, but requested that land ownership certificates are granted to them by the government.

IDP women and girls from Isaaq clan living in Mohamed Ali settlement (Burao, Togdheer) think that local integration at their current location would be an acceptable option if access to education, livelihood opportunities and land property could be ensured.

In Labisagale (Hargeisa, Maroodi Jeex) IDP women and girls (Isaaq clan) also expressed their wish to remain in the current location. They said that Somalilanders are often harassed by the Ethiopian security forces in the bordering areas and girls subjected to sexual abuse. In Labisagale the host community supports and respects them; however, assistance to construct schools and foster livelihoods opportunities will be required for their effective integration in the area.

Relocation

IDP women and girls from South-Central Somalia who belong to Hawiye, Rahanweyn and Ajuraan clans and live in Nasahablood (Hargeisa, Maroodi Jeex) and Dami (Lasanod, Sool) see immediate relocation as a temporary measure to improve their living conditions while waiting for the opportunity to return home. They complained about the current eviction threat.

A.2. Solutions proposed by the IDP women and girls.

IDP women and girls proposed the following actions to improve their living-conditions :

SOLUTION :

 Awareness raising campaigns on women’s rights and SGBV for clan leaders and other authorities;  Rape and sexual abuse cases to be dealt by the formal justice system;  Micro-credit and/or similar solutions to increase livelihood opportunities as a deterrent of domestic violence.  Ensure access to education and/or vocational training for women and girls to prevent child labor and SGBV. This includes construction of schools in the area of displacement.  Improve shelter conditions in order to reduce the risk of security incidents.  Return to their areas of origin with the assistance of the and the humanitarian community.  Temporary relocation for IDPs in Nasahablood and Dami while waiting a durable solution.

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B. Men and boys

9 B.1. Findings

A total of 83 IDP men and 55 IDP boys were interviewed through group discussions. The majority of men in Gargara and Labisagale settlements belong to Isaaq and Gudaboorsi clans. In Nasahablood, Mohamed Ali and Dami settlements the predominant clans are Hawiye, UNHCR Rahanweyn and Ajuraan from South-Central Somalia.

1. Physical security and Protection Risks

 Sexual and Gender Base Violence (SGVB)

Rape and other sexual assaults

Men were not eager to talk about this issue, and therefore was a difficult task for the enumerators to get their views or report on any related matter. They only mentioned that rape to women and girls often happens when they are out of the settlement collecting fire wood or water.

IDP men living in Mohammed Ali complained that other men from the host community perpetrate GBV assaults. In Labisagale IDP men said that Liyuu policemen often commit such kind of attacks.

Domestic Violence

The vast majority of IDP men stated that domestic violence is not a crime, but simply part of their family lives. They added that depending on the level of the violence used to punish a woman, clan leaders should intervene or not.

Forced/early marriage

Although some IDPs women reported existence of forced/early marriage, men declined to discuss the matter.

 Other physical and Legal protection needs

Arbitrary Detention and Forced recruitment

In Dami, Mohamed Ali and Nasahablood IDP settlements of Burao and Hargeisa, men and boys reported that arbitrary detention of IDPs from South Central takes place frequently. They said that police arrests them without charges and releases them upon reception of informal payments. They said that legal assistance is not granted and judges are not involved in these incidents.

In Labisagale, men and boys reported that arbitrary arrests and harassment by the Ethiopian Liyuu police take place while they are grazing their cattle next to bordering areas. They also said that the Ethiopian police would only release them upon their agreement to collaborate with the government in investigating cases of insurgency .

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Forced return

10 In Dami settlement (Lasanod, Sool region), men and boys reported that at the end of last year (2011) 97 IDP men aged between 15 and 40 year-old were forcibly returned to Gambadha village of Sool region, where their physical security might be at risk. They further explained that violent clashes often take place in that area and requested assistance from the humanitarian community UNHCR and the government of Somaliland to prevent forced removals .

Robberies

In Nasahablood, Dami and Mohammed Ali settlements, men and boys reported regular robberies at the hands of local gangs. They said that that their wages are often stolen on their way back home, and sometimes also inside of the settlements.

 Access to Justice

In all the settlements, men and boys said that IDPs do not normally have access to formal justice, but only to mediation of clan elders. In addition, the traditional justice is hardly available to IDPs from South Central Somalia without strong family links in Somaliland. It was also pointed out that requests for the mediation of elders should always be referred by male IDPs.

 Discrimination

IDP men and boys from South-Central Somalia complained about diversion of distribution of assistance based on their clan and place of origin. Particularly, in Nasahablood, Mohamed Ali and Dami settlements men and boys claimed that access to water represents one of the biggest challenges for IDPs for them.

 Child Protection. Access to Education and Child Labor

IDP boys and men confirmed that formal education is not available in any of the five settlements targeted by the Participatory Assessment. In Nasahablood, Mohammed Ali and Dami settlements some boys attend Koranic school.

Furthermore, IDP boys (5-15 year-old) often engage in income generation activities to support their families, which prevent them from attending school.

 Livelihoods:

IDP men in all the settlements complained about high rates of unemployment, which particularly affects men from South Central. Notwithstanding, IDP men living in Mohamed Ali, Nasahablood and Dami settlement work in the sectors of masonry, garbage collection, or repair of electronic devices.

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2. Durable Solutions

11 Return to their places of origin

The vast majority of IDP men and boys living in the five targeted settlement, expressed their desire to return to their places of origin. Only IDP men and boys living in Labisagale assured that return is not feasible at this time due to the on-going conflictive situation. UNHCR

IDP men and boys from Isaaq clan would normally indicate Odweyne, Duruqsi and Haji-Salah villages of Togdheer region as preferred places for return. IDP men and boys from Hawiye, Rahanweyn and Ajuraan clans would point at in Mogadishu, Baydhabo, Jawhar of Banaadir, Bay and Middle Shabelle regions as places for return, where they expect to have better livelihoods opportunities.

As expressed by women and girls, IDPs from Somaliland requested support to restore the provision of basic services in their places of origin and for resume their livestock related activities. IDPs from South Central repeated that transportation and recovering of their properties are the biggest challenges for returning.

Local Integration

In Mohammed Ali settlement (Burao, Togdheer) there are a handful number of IDP boys who wish to be integrated in Burao because they have adapted to the urban life. They expect that improvements are more likely to happen in the area of displacement than in their villages of origin. They mentioned that access to basic services such as education or health in their villages will not be available for them or even for their children.

In Labisagale IDP men and boys see local integration as the best solution due to the unresolved security situation in the area of origin. At the same time, the host community that belongs to the same clan (Isaaq) has supported the IDPs since the beginning of the displacement.

B.2. Solutions proposed by the IDP men and boys

IDP men and boys proposed the following actions to improve their living conditions:

 Establishment of police station and/or security guards patrolling in the settlements of Gargara (Awdal region) and Labisagale.  Improvement of the settlements’ infrastructures including installation of street lighting and sanitation systems, and construction of schools, recreational facilities and clinics.  Employment generation including skills training opportunities and cash support (loan)  Return to their places of origin with the assistance of the government and humanitarian community for transportation and recovery of properties (land in South Central and livestock in Somaliland).

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V. Concluding remarks and recommendations

12 The findings of the participatory assessments (PA) in Somaliland highlight the difficulties faced by the displaced population 5 within Somaliland to access to basic services such as justice, education, health, water or income generation opportunities. This situation clearly affects the capacity of women to find appropriate remedy to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and influences

UNHCR the intention of an approximate 70% of the displaced population who wishes to return to their places of origin (25 % to different villages of Somaliland& 45% to South Central Somalia). The remaining population would mainly opt for local integration. Relocation is only seen as a temporary emergency measure.

The PA also points out that individuals from South-Central without family or clan links in Somaliland and women would find even more challenging to resort to local/traditional justice or access to other available services. Despite the efforts of the government of Somaliland and the humanitarian community, most of the GBV incidents are still considered a family matter, and when reported, they are mainly dealt by the traditional justice. In addition, diversion of distribution of assistance for the reason of gender or clan affiliation was also frequently reported by IDPs.

Along the Participatory Assessment process two preparatory meetings, two workshops, a concluding meeting and other types of consultations took place. On these occasions the members suggested the following set of actions:

First, the Protection Cluster should establish an action plan to combat GBV impunity and prevent further incidents focused on:

- Dissemination of applicable laws and policies among relevant authorities such as clan elders, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and Ministry of Interior, including security forces, with a view to ensure access to formal justice and social services for survivors of GBV. - Improve existing mechanisms of awareness raising among displaced population and host community, including referrals to appropriate services. - Enhance the existing monitoring and data collection of GBV systems. - Facilitate access to education of girls and boys in the areas of displacement by constructing schools and building the capacity of IDPs and host community in education related matters in consultation with other Clusters and relevant authorities. Particularly, in Labisagale, Mohamed Ali and Dami settlements where IDPs expressed their willingness to be locally integrated. - Advocate for an inclusion of IDPs in the development plans of the Government of Somaliland (Ministry of Planning) and other related agencies. - Improve of shelter conditions in consultation with Shelter and NFIs Cluster.

Second, the Protection Cluster should finalize the process of identification and verification of return intention of IDPs in order to plan in consultation with the authorities the voluntary return of the most vulnerable population, and particularly newly arrived population.

Third, the Protection Cluster should also verify the local integration intention of IDPs in targeted settlements in order to plan in consultation with relevant Clusters and authorities the issuance of

5Protracted displaced population and newly arrived people.

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ownership certificates and the provision of stable services, such as education, health, justice and security, or sanitation in the areas of displacement

In view of the above recommendations we can conclude that the improvement of living- 13 conditions of displaced people in Somaliland requires the effort of the humanitarian community as a whole. In this sense, the Protection Cluster in Hargeisa will ensure that relevant actors such as authorities, displaced and host communities, as well as other clusters will be involved in the following planning process.

UNHCR Finally, the Protection Cluster leaders acknowledge the efforts of the members who devoted time and dedication to the Participatory Assessment exercise in order to streamline the protection and assistance provided to the displaced population in Somaliland. It is also expected that this cooperative spirit will permit the implementation of identified solutions.

Protection Cluster Hargeisa 15 November 2012

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