Humanitarian UNITED NATIONS NATION UNIES Overview Vol. 1 Issue 3 - March 2008

Main Developments

International and local NGOs working in Somalia again raised the alarm about the deteriorating humanitarian in the country and request the international community and all parties to the confl ict to urgently focus their attention on the catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Drought and water shortage is spreading. Response is ongoing but not adequate to meet the enormous humanitarian needs.

Insecurity and access issues continue to hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Threats and kidnapping of aid workers is now a concern in all parts of Somalia and seriously restricting the presence of expatriates in the country.

In March, more than 100 Somalis died while trying to cross the Gulf of Aden on their way to Yemen.

Somalia is declared polio-free by WHO. The Somalia Humanitarian Overview, a monthly analysis of the humanitarian situation and trends produced by OCHA Somalia. Nearly 44 international and local NGOs Security Council and its members to clearly For questions or comments, please contact: Dawn working in Somalia issued a joint statement support eff orts to increase human rights Blalock, OCHA Public Information Offi cer (bla- [email protected]) or Muna Mohamed, OCHA Reports highlighting the deteriorating humanitarian monitoring and ensure accountability. In Offi cer ([email protected]). situation in the country. The same particular, the organization is advocating organisations issued a similar statement in for the establishment of an international by all parties. Amnesty International called October 2007 and are now warning, that commission of inquiry. Amnesty International on UN Security Council members to urgently, just four months later, the crisis engulfi ng issued a similar statement saying that serious consistently and directly confront the inter- Somalia has deteriorated dramatically abuses of human rights and violations of linked human rights and humanitarian crisis. while access to people in need continues to international humanitarian law remain largely decrease. The organisations are calling on undocumented, unpunished, and ignored by Also in March the UN Secretary-General the international community and all parties the international community and committed presented his quarterly report to UN Security to the confl ict to fulfi l their responsibility to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, address the environment of impunity and fi nd a political solution to the current crisis.

In an interview with Voice of America radio, the Prime Minister of Somalia, Nur Adde Hassan Hussein, said he fully agrees with the agencies’ assessment that urgent action is needed to avoid a catastrophe. He reiterated the TFG’s promise to the international community made fi ve months ago to appoint a focal point for humanitarian issues and to put in place mechanisms to address the access issues.

Several advocacy groups and organizations issued statements and reports on Somalia at Upgrading of IDP Settlement in Bossasso, Puntland. Six UN agencies and one NGO are supporting the Arria Formula meeting with UN Security IDPs in Bossaso town with improved shelter - see full story on back page - Credit: UN-HABITAT Council. Human Rights Watch called on the Somalia Humanitarian Overview March 2008

Council members on the situation in Somalia. distributed a two-month ration of 4,289 MT The Humanitarian Response Fund (HRF) The report is proposing the strategic and to 38,085 households in Galgaduud and managed by OCHA has approved nearly $1.3 coordinated planning of security, political South Mudug. The second distribution in million for emergency interventions (mainly and programmatic areas (humanitarian, these regions is planned for the beginning water and sanitation) during the month of recovery and development) as a basis for of April. In March CARE distributed food aid March. Funds from the HRF can be made a comprehensive UN strategy for peace in Hiraan to about 11,000 households while available to NGOs and UN agencies with the and stability in Somalia. Four scenarios identifi ed by the report could lead to the possible deployment of additional future troops in Somalia. Two scenarios include international troops, but only if certain conditions are met. One scenario includes a stabilization force of about 8,000 troops and police with a phased withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from . Another could see political reconciliation involving power- sharing among political parties and a peace agreement, including the deployment of more than 28,000 UN peacekeeping troops.

The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah told the Security Council that recent encouraging political developments by Somalia’s Transitional Government - including a reconciliation strategy involving local peacemaking and A camel left in the bush in Galkaayo area, March 2008. In Somalia when camels are dying it is a clear sign talks with the opposition - must be matched of severe drought. Credit: UN-OCHA by progress in improving security and protecting victims of violence. ‘‘Today, too ICRC distributed food to 8,279 households in capacity to implement water, sanitation and much time is spent collecting numbers and Sool and North Mudug. Field reports indicate other emergency responses. statistics about the suff ering of the Somali that water and food aid provided is shared people’’, Ould-Abdallah said. ‘‘However, the with the livestock. There is an urgent need to The drought is also causing displacement. real battle to be won is to be close to and to upscale assistance, in particular in the central According to UNHCR and partners, nearly protect the victims of armed violence, abuse regions and Hiraan, but this is constrained by 6,000 people have been displaced due to of human rights, of drought and famine’’. the limited number of humanitarian agencies drought and water shortages in their areas operating in these areas. The estimated of origin (South Mudug, Middle and Lower Drought number of people in need of humanitarian Shebelle, Bay and Galgaduud). Drought and severe water shortage is assistance, including IDPs, in Hiraan, Mudug reported throughout the country. Forecasts and Galgaduud are over 500,000. Increasing food prices are further deteriorating for the upcoming Gu rains (April-June) are not food security in many parts of the country. encouraging as current climatic conditions Galgaduud region has traditionally been an Commodity prices are now hitting record indicate the likelihood of below normal area with limited humanitarian presence. highs in most markets in southern and central rainfall. The Gu rains are crucial to replenish In order to open the area for sustained Somalia due to the rapid devaluation of the water sources, regenerate pasture, and the humanitarian activities and response, an Somali Shilling, increased transportation costs production of crops harvested in August in inter-agency access mission was fi elded and confl ict-related disruption in trade and central and southern regions. If Gu rains fail to the region at the end of March to meet import activities. During the last two weeks or are delayed, additional assistance for the with community leaders to put in place in Mogadishu, the price of one drum of diesel drought-aff ected areas could be required a framework agreement between the fl uctuated between $150 to $220. Riots and until the end of the year. Humanitarian local community and the humanitarian demonstrations against the rising rate of agencies are currently preparing contingency community. This was positively received by infl ation have taken place in Mogadishu. plans for the worst-case scenario. the communities and elders who are keen to According to fi eld reports, security is no longer see the presence of humanitarian agencies in the main reason why people are fl eeing the Drought response is ongoing but still far the area. Though the situation in the region city. People are also leaving due to lack of from meeting needs in the aff ected areas. continues to be uncertain, the community food. The community kitchen programme International Committee of the Red Cross is has taken measures to increase security in the in Mogadishu implemented by SAACID NGO providing trucking water in South Mudug area, for example the road from Beletweyn to and supported by Word Food Programme and Galgaduud. Save the Children-UK has Adado previously reported some 40 check- and HRF is experiencing increasing demands. accelerated water and sanitation activities in points now has none. The programme is on an average providing Hiraan region. In February CARE International 50,000 cooked meals per day in ten districts.

2 Somalia Humanitarian Overview March 2008

There is now need to expand the programme March alone, at least three statements were As the Somalia Humanitarian Overview went to the remaining six districts of Mogadishu. made by high-level government offi cials to press, two expatriates who had been attacking humanitarian work. The Mayor abducted by armed militiamen around 15 Humanitarian Space & Security of Mogadishu again accused humanitarian kilometres south of Sakow town, Middle Juba, The security situation in Somalia continues agencies of ‘assisting terrorists’ in IDP camps. where still being held by the kidnappers. to deteriorate. Fighting between the TFG Comments such as these are not only false Bringing the number of kidnappings or supported by Ethiopian troops and anti- but also limit humanitarian space by creating attempted kidnappings to fi ve since the government elements is no longer restricted an environment of mistrust. On Friday 28 beginning of the year. to Mogadishu and surrounding areas, and is March residents in Mogadishu looted trucks expanding to other parts of the country. In carrying food aid to displaced people. They Population Movements Mogadishu, the worst fi ghting took place the targeted World Food Programme (WFP) Increasing numbers of Somali refugees weekend of 29-30 March in Bakara market contracted trucks and also blocked the main are now seeking asylum in neighbouring where more than 40 civilians were treated road before local police restored order. The countries to escape the intensive fi ghting in for injuries and an unconfi rmed number, incident was prompted by a remark from Mogadishu and other parts of the country. including children and women, were killed. the District Commissioner of Kaaran, who Since the beginning of the year, some 15,000 In March, anti-government elements had publicly stated that people should go Somalis have sought asylum in Kenya, temporarily seized control of several major out and take food by force from passing Djibouti, and – even further away towns including Jowhar, Middle Shebelle UN trucks. Given the dire and deteriorating – in eastern . These numbers are in and Bula Burde, Hiraan region. In the past humanitarian situation in the country, it is addition to tens of thousands who have few months anti-government groups of major concern that senior government been internally displaced. An estimated have taken over at least ninth towns, offi cials encourage or fuel such incidents. 68,000 people have fl ed Mogadishu since in a series of hit-and-ran attacks where the beginning of the year – an average of they voluntarily withdraw after capturing A disturbing development is the increasing about 22,000 a month. By the end of 2007, equipment and freeing prisoners. The overall number of crime-related incidents aff ecting UN and partners estimated that more than 1 security situation in south central Somalia humanitarian agencies. In March many million people were displaced inside Somalia is deteriorating (the absolute number of agencies operating in South Central Somalia security incidents have increased as well as encountered vehicle hijacking and armed IDP Movements in Somalia (24 Feb - 29 Mar) the number of locations). attacks. On 18 March, a driver working for the

NGO Security Offi ce was shot and killed and IDP Return In Bakara market traders, in agreement with his vehicle stolen in Gaalkacyo. The same day, Fire 10,000 Ev ic tion the authorities, deployed private security an MSF staff died in a hospital in Mogadishu Livelihood guards to protect the market,. The market has following severe injuries sustained during an Forced Return Lack of Food been the site of frequent clashes between attack on an MSF vehicle on 12 March. In the Drought 8,000 government and anti-government groups. past three months ten international NGOs Clan Conf lic t Ins ec urity The fi ghting in the main market of the and UN agencies and four national NGOs country has paralysed trading for thousands have been victims of hijacking or attempted of remaining residents in Mogadishu who hijacking of their vehicles, in which some staff 6,000 are totally dependent on the market for their were injured. Such incidents are seriously daily income and caused increasing food aff ecting the movement of aid workers and Number of IDPs prices for the urban poor. access to benefi ciaries. 4,000

Civilians continue to be victims of On 3 March a UN fl ight was shot at during indiscriminate use of force and remnants landing at Buaale airstrip (Middle Juba). 2,000 of war. During the month of March, 276 The incident was related to contractual war-wounded were admitted to the two employment issues and no injuries were main hospitals in Mogadishu, Medina and reported. Consequently, World Vision 0 Keysaney, bringing the total for the fi rst International and WFP staff who are building 24 Feb-1 2-8 Mar 9-15 Mar 16-22 Mar 23-29 Mar Mar quarter of the year to 848. a new sub-offi ce in Buaale were temporarily relocated to Wajid (Bakool). Credit: Protection Cluster Ten people were killed and at least 30 others injured in inter-clan fi ghting in Gaalkacyo, Targeting of humanitarian workers since beginning of the year: Mudug region, on 17 March. The clash Seven humanitarian workers killed was triggered by a land dispute. In general Five kidnappings or attempted kidnappings the situation security in Gaalkacyo and In March alone there have been at least seven incidents where humanitarian surroundings is deteriorating due to inter- vehicles have been hijacked clan fi ghting and increasing crime-related There have at least been four incidents of lootings of food aid and other relief violence. items Humanitarian workers and aid agencies Several statements made by various authorities alleging that aid workers are continue to be under pressure from senior supporting one side or the other government offi cials. During the month of

3 Somalia Humanitarian Overview March 2008

– some 700,000 of them pushed out of of improved shelter kits) has been now Polio-free Somalia Mogadishu over a 10-month period alone in completed in four settlements hosting 806 WHO reported that polio transmission has 2007. In Ethiopia an old refugee camp called families, corresponding to an estimated been stopped in Somalia, and the country is Tereri Ber, with a capacity of some 10,000 4,800 people. There are over 16 settlements now offi cially polio-free. Exactly a year ago people which was re-opened in July 2007, is of internally displaced persons housing up to (March 2007) eight cases were identifi ed. now almost full. A new site is being sought to 30,000 people in Bossaso. Although not easy, This landmark victory is a result of the eff orts cater for thousands of new refugees currently this project shows that displaced people can of more than 10,000 Somali volunteers and waiting for registration in Ethiopian. be assisted to live in a dignifi ed way. health workers who repeatedly vaccinated more than 1.8 million children under the Following the US military air strikes in Mixed Migration age of fi ve by visiting every household Dobley on 3 March 2008, there have been Despite the dangerous journey, increasing in settlement several times. Somalia was confi rmed reports of civilian casualties and numbers of Somalis still try to cross the Gulf of declared polio-free in 2002 but the disease displacement. There are around 20,000 Aden on route to Yemen seeking security and was detected again in 2005. However, displaced people in Dobley mainly there better opportunities. In the last two weeks of according to WHO experts, this time the to get a chance to cross the Kenyan border. March more than 100 people died (most of applied vaccination campaign strategies The bombing has aff ected humanitarian them Somalis) while trying to cross to Yemen, have been strengthened. work in the area. Local authorities suspect bringing the total number of deaths or missing that the American air strikes were guided in 2008 to 300. In the fi rst three months of the Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) or somehow assisted by local agencies on year, about 8,000 people have arrived at the In March the number of confi rmed cases the ground in Dobley. As a result the local Yemen coast, more than double of the 2,946 of AWD/Cholera in Somalia stands at 1,279 ICU leader (Known as ‘Hassan Turki’) has who arrived in the fi rst two months of 2007. including 8 related deaths. The outbreak announced that all INGOs and NGOs must With the ongoing insecurity in Southern has been eff ectively contained in areas leave Dobley in two month’s time. Somalia and deteriorating economy, crossings where security situation allows access. Health partners continue to focus on the ‘Success Story” - Displaced in chlorination of drinking water in aff ected Puntland fi nd new homes areas and putting proper hygiene and Displaced people everywhere in Somalia sanitation measures in place. are living under terrible conditions that are substandard in every respect. Shelters are lean-tos and made of highly-fl ammable rags, sticks, cloths and carboard, and settlements Of Note: lack adequate education and health facilities. In particularly, there are acute shortage of The 2008 CAP funding level as of latrines which increases the risk of sexual Every month, thousands of Somalis fl ee cross fi rst quarter is approximately 35%. the Gulf of Aden to Yemen in fl imsy fi shing boats violence against women. Six UN agencies such as this - Credit: UNHCR The 2007 CAP for Somalia was al- and one NGO, Danish Refugee Council, have most 80% funded ($308 million re- since 2005 worked on improving the shelter in 2008 are anticipated to rise to a record-high ceived out of $383 million requested). situation for displaced in Bossaso, Puntland. compared to previous years. The initial work (upgrading and distribution The UN Human Rights Council has approved Dr. Shamsul Bari, a Bang- ladeshi lawyer with a long career at UNHCR and a recognized expert in protection of civilians, as the new Independent Expert appointed by the UN Secretary-General on Hu- man Rights Situation in Somalia. He will replace Dr. Ghanim Alnajjar.

The Somali media continue to be targeted by the authorities. During March, armed forces in Mogadishu confi scated equipment from two ra- dio stations (Radio Simba, Shabelle Radio). One reporter was beaten and one arrested during the incident.

Upgraded IDP Settlement in Bossaso, Puntland - Credit: UN-HABITAT

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