Final Report
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funded by FINAL REPORT Psychosocial support for Gender Based and Sexual Violence’s survivors, Galkayo District, Mudug Region, Somalia 21st July 2011 - 31st January 2012 1 Table of contents Geographical and security background .......................................................... 3 An overview of the traditional structure .......................................................... 5 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 6 The Set-Up ......................................................................................................... 7 1. Evaluation and follow-up tools .......................................................................................................................................... 7 2. Identification criteria................................................................................................................................................................ 7 3. Criteria for survivor’s psychological rehabilitation ................................................................................................... 8 4. Medical referral pathway ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 5. Criteria for the selection for socio-educational activities ...................................................................................... 9 6. IDPs Focal Point selection .................................................................................................................................................. 9 7. TASS partnership and social workers selection ..................................................................................................... 10 Confidential Identifications............................................................................. 10 Psychosocial Support ..................................................................................... 12 Medical Referral ............................................................................................... 17 Socio-Educational Reintegration ................................................................... 17 1. Henna training ......................................................................................................................................................................... 18 2. Literacy programme.............................................................................................................................................................. 19 Opinion Leaders Workshops .......................................................................... 20 Awareness Activities ....................................................................................... 21 Social Workers Trainings ............................................................................... 23 2 Geographical and security background Located on the border between Puntland and South-Central Somalia, Galkayo District, specifically Galkayo town, is a key trading centre linking Bossaso (Puntland) to the north, Mogadishu (South-Central) to the south, and Ethiopia to the west. Its geostrategic role has led to a dynamic and bustling city that accommodates travelers from afar, but has also led to mutual suspicion based on the potential and actual threats to peace of the district1. Map of Galkayo District, with the approximate location of the Green Line separating Puntland and Galmudug The Galkayo District is located in Mudug Region, which is divided between Puntland and Galmudug. The part of Galkayo District that falls under the Puntland administration is referred to as North Galkayo, while the portion falling under the Galmudug administration is referred to as South Galkayo. The same terminologies apply to the district capital, Galkayo town, which is similarly divided The Puntland government was formally established in 1998, and North Galkayo immediately came under its authority. In 2006, the Galmudug administration was formally declared in the south of Mudug and the north of Galgadud. Importantly, the two administrations have managed since then to protect common interests and avert a new major outbreak of violence. Most prominently, between 2006 and 2007, they unified their militia forces to defeat the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and prevent it from taking over power in Galkayo. In August 2009, Puntland reformed the Galkayo administration, and collaboration proceeded particularly on issues related to security, including police operations and humanitarian access. Since the beginning of 2009, a number of small conflicts between north and south, and between governments and communities have been mitigated through mediation efforts, generally involving a combination of government representatives of one or both sides, and traditional 1 OCVP - Safety and Security District Baseline Report - 2011. 3 elders or other community leaders. But tensions between clans continue to simmer, as demonstrated by a constant string of revenge killings. The security situation in Galkayo, during the project period, remained unpredictable as it was constantly changing, going from quiet days to several assassinations within the same week. Planned assassinations, however, have increased since July 2011. Most of them have taken place during and after evening prayers outside the mosque. Residents have been alerted to stay indoors during this time, but since this is the most popular period to move before dark, many remain at risk. Control over the airport is a main source of contention between the rival clans due to division of revenue sharing. Exchange of anti-aircraft missiles between Puntland and Galmudug authorities were reported on November 22, 2011. In total from July to December 2011, the conflict and disputes amongst the various actors (including among them pirates), resulted in 35 people killed, 20 injured, 1 car hijacked, and three people kidnapped (two were released in January 2012). The violence escalated particularly on 1st of September 2011 when Puntland forces launched an attack against some groups suspected to be behind the planned assassinations in the city. The heavy fighting continued until 5th of September and caused hospitals to close, restricted movements for communities in North and South Galkayo, and forced many NGOs to temporary halt operations. A ceasefire was observed on the 9th of September with both parties pledging to enable businesses to reopen, cease propaganda and evacuation of civilians. While open confrontation has been avoided for a while, the intentions on the two sides remained active with Leylkase militias insisting for a complete pull-out of Puntland security forces from Garsoor village and Puntland authorities threatening of a full-fledge military attack against that area. Clan militias from Garsoor village were reported mobilizing financial and military resources from the surrounding areas. The elders from Leylkase clan had been working to dismantle militias and on the 11th of October the Leylkase elders peacefully took control of the Bulo Kontrol checkpoint from Leylkase clan militias. This has been a positive step in the reconciliation process between the Leylkase clan and Puntland. Although the reconciliation between the parties seemed to be going in the right direction, some of the main underlying reasons for the initial resentment of the Leylkase against Puntland (access to political power) are yet to be addressed. A female journalist from Radio Galkayo was seriously injured and a Puntland MP, who was reportedly involved in the September negotiations, was assassinated. Immediately following the Puntland MP’s assassination, the governor of Mudug Region survived an RCIED attack in the city centre. While the attacks have mostly targeted local leaders and media personnel, the increased insecurity have put humanitarian workers at greater risk. On October 25th, two international staffs from an INGO were kidnapped by a group of gunmen believed to be pirates/local gangs near the Galkayo airport (both have been released in January 2012). In Garsoor village, on October 30th, the acting director of a LNGO was killed by unknown gunmen. On November 18th, a national staff member working with an INGO in Galkayo North was killed by unknown gunmen when leaving a local mosque after evening prayers. In addition to assassination attempts, residents and visitors are at risk of being caught in cross-fire, hand grenades and carjacking attacks. Pirates, who now have an inland base in Galkayo, reportedly exchange in random gun fire while under the influence of alcohol causing civilian causalities. Together, these risks have compounded the public ability to mobilize and prevent such incidents. Efforts to address the unstable security environments through public meetings have been jeopardized by threats of hand grenades targeting public gatherings being circulated in leaflets. 4 An overview of the traditional structure In Puntland the legal system is a three-tier system consisting of the Secular, Sharia and Customary (Xeer) law, where the Xeer is the most widely used and preferred in most cases2. The function of the formal secular courts is hence primarily to register verdicts made by the traditional elders. However, where the traditional conflict resolution procedure can not solve the conflict, the case will be taken to the formal court. The traditional and formal systems work together in some aspects. The Somali customary laws (Xeer)