Protection Cluster Update Funded by: The People of Japan

Weeklyhttp://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=4297 Report 15 th July 2011 European Commission IASC •Objective Protection Monitoring Ne twork (PMN) Humanitarian Aid

This update provides information on the protection environment in Somalia, including apparent violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as reported in during the last week through the IASC Somalia Protection Cluster monitoring systems. Incidents mentioned in this report are not exhaustive. They are intended to highlight credible reports in order to inform programming and advocacy by the humanitarian community and national authorities.

General Overview

Fighting between forces allied to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) and Al Shabaab has largely subsided in recent weeks due to the extended humanitarian crisis caused by the severe drought throughout Somalia. Although the drought has been the protection concern and the main cause of displacement through South Central Somalia, insecurity remains high in many areas.

People throughout Somalia are involved in a rapidly declining human rights situation as the country is facing a level of famine and drought not seen in decades. According to various humanitarian agencies the famine and drought is currently threatening an estimated 2.85 million people in the country, or one- third of the country’s population.1 UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres recently stated that Somalia has come to represent “the worst humanitarian disaster in the world.” 2 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stated that malnutrition rates for children under five in central and southern Somalia are the highest in the world, as one in ten children are at risk of starving to death in the drought-hit regions. 3 An official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in an interview informed that 100 children die every day in Somalia due to malnutrition and that the drought has forced nearly 60,000 people to flee daily in attempts to access humanitarian aid in urban areas of Somalia or beyond the borders in refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. 4

Amid the severe ongoing droughts in the country, Al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mahamud Rage (Sheikh Ali Dhere) announced that the movement will allow both Muslim and non-Muslim organizations with a humanitarian purpose to freely operate in the previously banned regions under their control.5 The statement comes following criticism from the Somali population on the capability of Al

1 Reuters, In the Horn of Africa, drought threatens millions , 11 th July available at http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFLDE76A0F320110711?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true Food Security and Nutriotion Analysis Unit- Somalia (FSNAU), 2.85 million people facing food security crisis in Somalia , 28 th June, availible at, http://www.fsnau.org/in-focus/fsnau-releases-update-number-people-food-security-crisis-somalia 2 Reuters, Somalia is world’s worst humanitarian disaster , 11 th July available at http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76A0F720110711 3 Reuters, Child malnutrition in Somalia at dire levels: ICRC , 13 th July available at http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76C0FV20110713 4 All Headline News, UN official: 100 children die in Somalia daily, 9 th July available at http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90053808?UN%20official%3A%20100%20children%20die%20in%20Somalia%20 daily 5 Reuters, Somali rebels lift ban on food aid after drought , 6 th July available at 1 Shabaab to respond to the severe humanitarian crisis, as well as pressure from local elders to let the international humanitarian agencies assist vulnerable people. The lifting of the ban was nevertheless welcomed by aid agencies. However, it remains to be seen whether access to the vulnerable populations will be fully granted. Since the announcement of the lifted ban, Al Shabaab has reportedly arrested two humanitarian aid workers working for international humanitarian agencies in southern Somalia 6 and further limited access to aid by preventing or limiting movements of fleeing IDPs.

The continued drought has been especially detrimental for the country’s agricultural sector and livestock population that has left people throughout drought-affected zones with no food or income. The lack of seasonal rains has caused agricultural output to drop more than 80 percent in areas where rural communities have previously relied heavily on local farms and crop production. 7 In addition to the reduction of local food production, at least 65 percent of the population in Somalia relies on the livestock sector for income. 8

According to reports received, hundreds of displaced Somalis fleeing in search of humanitarian aid have travelled on foot often for weeks to arrive in under-equipped and overcrowded IDP and refugee camps in Kenya and Ethipia. According to UNHCR, in June an estimated 54,000 refugees fled into Kenya and Ethiopia from Somali, which represents three times the number of people who fled in the previous month of May. 9 The death toll of displaced Somalis continues to increase as many travel in last minute desperation when food reserves have run dry, leaving them to make the journey with no resources. Reports have documented that throngs of children are dying in transit and others are too weak to be revived after reaching access to therapeutic feeding and succumb to malnourishment upon reaching the camps. 10

MOGADISHU (BANADIR)

Thousands of IDP families are fleeing to in dire attempts to access any form of humanitarian aid. Many of the IDPs have been travelling by foot from southern regions in Somalia without food or water for days and they enter the capital on the verge of death. Reports have told stories of many women and children dying upon reaching the city or along the way. Estimates indicate that over 250 IDP families arrive to the capital per day, with nearly 10,000 new IDP arrivals in the last few weeks.11 Forced refugee returns have put increased pressure on the capital as well, with over 100 refugees http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFN1E76519820110706?sp=true RBC Radio, Al-Shabab removes suspension from aid agencies in Somalia , 6 th July, available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=102520

6 Raxanreeb, Al-Shabaab fighters abduct two aid workers , 13 th July available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=103511 Shabelle Media Network, Al shabaab arrests aid workers in southern Somalia town , 13 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8708 7 All Headline News, Somalia's agricultural output suffering under drought , 4 th July available at http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90053342?Somalia's%20agricultural%20output%20suffering%20under%20drought 8 IRIN News, KENYA-SOMALIA: Drought decimates livestock, hits incomes , 4 th July available at http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93142 9 UNHCR, UNHCR concerned about malnutrition levels among new Somali refugees , 5 th July available at http://www.unhcr.org/4e12fe0d6.html 10 CBS News, Throngs of Somali refugee kids dying in exodus , 6 th July available at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/07/06/501364/main20077099.shtml 11 Raxanreeb, Government estimates 9,474 IDPs reached the capital, 10 th July available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=103026 2 deported from Saudi Arabia and arriving in Mogadishu in recent weeks. 12 The overextended humanitarian aid in Mogadishu has not been able to cope with the large influx of IDPs as many IDPs in Mogadishu are remaining in destitute conditions and child death due to malnourishment remains on the rise in the capital. 13 Following the large influx of IDPs in the capital, the TFG has urged IDPs from Mogadishu to return to their homes to allow for space for IDPs fleeing into the city. 14

• At least 110 Somali refugees were forcibly returned to Somalia and left at Mogadishu airport after they had been deported from Saudi Arabia after previous fleeing Somalia.15 (12 th July)

• TFG soldiers clashed amongst each other following a dispute for control of houses in Taleh neighbourhood, leading to crossfire that killed two people and wounded two others in .16 (10 th July)

• Heavy rains in Mogadishu caused flooding throughout the city and destroyed many makeshift shelters of recently arrived IDPs who have not yet received proper shelters or humanitarian aid.17 (9th July)

• A bomb exploded in an IDP camp in of Mogadishu after a boy in the camp found the bomb and began playing with it, causing it to explode. Two IDPs in the camp were wounded in the incident. The bomb was most likely the cause of leftover reminents of artillery in the district, which was recently a main frontline battlezone between the TFG and Al Shabaab.18 (9th July)

• A TFG officer managing a traffic stop opened fire on a civilian bus in Mogadishu, killing at least two passengers, including one woman, and wounding one other. The incident ocurred after a dispute between two buses passing the stop. 19 (7 th July)

12 Shabelle Media Network, Over 100 forcibly deported Somalis land at Mogadishu , 12 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8665 13 All Headline News, Death toll of malnourished children increases in Somalia’s capital , 11 th July available at http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90053864?Death%20toll%20of%20malnourished%20children%20increases%20in %20Somalia%26%23146%3Bs%20capital Shabelle Media Network, Kids die of hunger as drought-displaced people flooding into Mogadishu , 5 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8416 14 Shabelle Media Network, Somali govt urges IDPs return their homes in parts of Mogadishu , 4 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8298 15 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 Shabelle Media Network, Over 100 forcibly deported Somalis land at Mogadishu , 12 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8665 16 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 11 th July 2011 Shabelle Media Network, Somali soldiers clash themselves in Mogadishu , 10 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8615 17 Shabelle Media Network, As Mogadishu witnesses rains, Drought hit people face bad conditions , 9 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8600 18 Shabelle Media Network, Bomb explosion wounds two in Mogadishu , 9 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8594 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 18 th June 2011 19 Shabelle Media Network, Somali soldier fires on civilian bus, killing two passengers , 7 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8443 3 • A 15-year-old boy was killed by TFG forces in of Mogadishu. The TFG officers stated the killing was accidental; however, local community members alleged the boy was killed intentionally in order to silence him. The boy had allegedly carried out small jobs for the TFG officers without payment for months. 20 (6 th July)

• Two civilians were killed and four others were injured when mortar shelling hit their home in Karaan district. The mortars are alleged to have come from AMISOM bases in other parts of the capital. 21 (5 th July)

NORTH-WEST (AWDAL, WOQOOYI GALBEED & TOGDHEER)

Gender-based violence in Somaliland continues to be highly reported, demonstrating the high incidence of GBV violence as well as knowledge of the subject among monitors.

• 120 household who were occupying a former governor's compound were relocated forcibly to a new IDP site after receiving several warning to vacate. The IDPs were removed after they refused to comply. (14 th July) 22

• A two year old child was found by a local woman and taken to a nearby hospital after the boy survived an attempted drowning at a nearby river after being abandoned in Burao district of Togdheer region. 23 (13 th July)

• A 17 year old girl was assaulted in Berbera district of Saaxil region when a man came to her as she was grazing animals in a field and attempted to rape her. 24 (11 th July)

• An 18 year old female was raped in her home in Hargeisa district by a local man and then married to the man. 25 (4th July)

• A 30 year old woman was assaulted and gang raped by a group of local men as she was leaving her home in Hargeisa district.26 (4th July)

• A journalist working for Jamhuriya newspaper was arrested by Somaliland security officials and is continuing to remain in custody. 27 (3 rd July)

20 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 13 th July 2011 21 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 8 th July 2011 22 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 8 th July 2011 23 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 25 th June 2011 24 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 14 th July 2011 25 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 5 th July 2011 26 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 5 th July 2011 27 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 6 th July 2011 4 SOOL & SANAG

• A 20 and a 23 year old woman were reportedly raped in Erigavo district of Sanag region in two separate incidents. The latter woman was attacked by two men when she was grazing animals in a field. 28 No investigation has yet taken place to arrest the perpetrators.(11 th July)

• Two females, aged 18 years and 20 years, were raped by four men when their travelling lorry stopped in a rest place for the night. 29 (10 th July)

NORTH-EAST (, NUGAAL & BARI)

Clan violence has continued to affect many civilians throughout Puntland regions as renewed clan violence erupts in various areas of the regions. The most recent trends of clan violence may be attributed to the latest symptom of the drought, as clan militias try to gain control of the little resources available in the drought-hit areas. Various rape cases in a number IDP camps was also reported.

• Clan violence in Dhagtur village in Mudug region erupted again, displacing more people in the renewed fighting and killing an unknown amount. 30 (12 th July)

• A fire destroyed over 200 makeshift shelters in an IDP camp in Garowe. The fire was alleged to be caused by a traditional stove that ignited and spread in the IDP camp. At least two people were wounded in the fire. 31 (12 th July)

• A 26 year old IDP woman was raped by two men after they entered her home in the night in the Buulo Noto IDP camp in Galkaayo district of Mudug region. 32 (11 th July)

• A fire destroyed eight shelters in the New Shabelle IDP camp in Bosasso district of Bari region after high winds in the area spread flames from a cooking fire in the camp.33 (11 th July)

• A 25 year old IDP woman was gang raped in her home after a group of armed men entered her home in the night in the Buulo Noto IDP camp in Galkaayo district of Mudug region. 34 (11 th July)

• A 17 year old IDP girl was assaulted and raped by two local men in the Buulo Noto IDP camp in Galkaayo district of Mudug region. 35 (10 th July)

28 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 29 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 11 th July 2011 30 Suna Times, Fierce fighting escalates in Deg-tur , 12 th July available at http://sunatimes.com/view.php?id=1173 31 Raxanreeb, Fire destroys IDP camp as Puntland’s capital lacks fire-fighter , 12 th July available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=103313 32 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 13 th July 2011 33 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 34 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 13 th July 2011 35 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 5 • A 17 year old IDP girl was assaulted in an attempted rape by two men in the Turjaale IDP camp in Bosasso district of Bari region. 36 (9 th July)

• Unidentified gunman opened fire in a populated coffee shop in Bosasso of Bari region, killing one person and injuring two others. The reason for the attack remains unknown. 37 (7 th July)

• A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed by a Puntland security officer in Lanta Hawada IDP camp after the boy was reaching for his phone in his pocket and the officer mistakenly thought he was carrying a firearm. The officer was arrested the following day. 38 (7 th July)

• A 50-year-old IDP woman was gang raped after a group of men attacked her near her shelter in the Buulo Noto IDP camp in Gaalkacyo district of Mudug region. 39 (6 th July)

• Two armed clan militias clashed with each other for control over wells and grazing land in the area of Dhagtur village in Mudug region due to the continued scarcity of water in the region. At least 20 people were killed, including at least seven children, and others injured in the clashes.40 (3rd July)

• A journalist in Bari region was arrested and sentenced by Puntland authorities to one year in prison for allegedly publishing online articles against the Puntland government.41 (2 nd July)

HIRAAN & GALGADUUD

Many people are fleeing their homes in Bay and regions to Hiraan region which has put extra burden on the public as most residents of the area have faced hardships after drought has decimated the livestock populations in the area. In addition, foods prices are continuing to soar in the regions and access to limited resources are becoming even more scarce and unattainable to residents and IDPs.42

• Al Shabaab blocked local residents in Hiran district from accessing three wells located in the area and have confiscated the wells and restricted access to local residents.43 (9th July)

• The body of a locally prominent Somali elder was discovered decapitated on the side of a road in Dhabad village of the Galgudud region. The reason and suspects in the attack remain unknown. 44 (6th July)

36 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 10 th July 2011 37 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 Raxanreeb, Gun men kill a man, injure two others in Bosasso , 7 th July available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=102739 38 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 39 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 10 th July 2011 40 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 3 rd July 2011 Raxanreeb, Rival clans fighting kills 20 in Mudug region , 3 rd July available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=102260 41 Shabelle Media Network, Puntland sentences journalist to 1 year imprisonment , 2 nd July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8239 42 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 11 th July 2011 43 Shabelle Media Network, Al shabaab fighters in central Somalia take over wells , 9 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8533 6 LOWER & (SHABELLE HOOSE & DHEXE)

Al Shabaab continues to dominate the areas of Lower and a Middle Shabelle and force restriction on the residents of the regions as the drought continues. Residents continue to face forced tax payments, restricted movements, and harsh punishments for not adhering to bans on items considered immoral by Al Shabaab.

• Al Shabaab arrested eight farmers in Awdhegle area of region for failing to pay tax to members of Al Shabaab. The farmers refused to pay the tax because they were not informed for the reason of the tax. 45 (27 th June)

• Al Shabaab fired on a group of teenagers playing soccer in the Elisha Biyahe IDP camps in Afgoye district of Middle Shabelle region, killing one teenager and leaving at least one other critically injured. The teenagers were attacked after they were told to line up by Al Shabaab members and chose to run instead due to fear of recruitment. Five of the teenagers in the group were then arrested by Al Shabaab, who has previously banned soccer in the districts under their control. 46 (5th July)

• Al Shabaab blocked at least 240 people from seeking humanitarian assistance in Mogadishu after fleeing Bay and Bakool regions to the capital. The families were forced to remain in Afgoye town in Middle Shabelle region after they had been halted in the town on their way to Mogadishu. 47 (6 th July)

• Al Shabaab arrested six farmers, including one woman, in Balad region of Middle Shabelle region after the farmers were not able to adhere to money demands of the Al Shabaab members for tax payments.48 (3 rd July)

BAY, BAKOOL & & GEDO

Residents of Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions have been the worst hit by the drought as most of the residents rely on livestock, which have mostly died due to the continued drought. Masses of residents in the regions are fleeing to seek access to humanitarian aid in other districts; however, some of the most vulnerable have been left behind due to no funding to flee.

44 Shabelle Media Network, Prominent elder’s body found decapitated in central Somalia , 6 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8414 45 Shabelle Media Network, Al shabaab apprehends farmers in southern Somalia region , 27 th June available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8069 46 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 7 th July 2011 Shabelle Media Network, Al shabaab fire on football players, killing one young boy , 5 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8385 47 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 7 th July 2011 Mareeg Online, Al shabaab blocks drought-dislpaced people to reaching at Mogadishu , 6 th July available at http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?Al-shabaab-blocks-drought-dislpaced-people-to-reaching-at- Mogadishu&sid=20302&tirsan=3 48 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 4 th July 2011 7 • TFG-allied forces clashed with Al Shabaab in Luuq town and surrounding areas in Gedo region. The number of casualties remains unclear. Residents have prepared for the worst and began fleeing as they have stated that sporadic fighting can come at anytime in the region. 49 (25 th June)

• Al Shabaab arrested two aid workers from two separate international relief agencies working in Baidoa town of Bay region. The reason for the arrests remains unknown as the aid workers continue to be held at an unknown location for unknown reasons.50 (13 th July)

• At least ten people have died of hunger and starvation in Gedo region as they were travelling between and Dollow district after previously being displaced from Bay and Bakool regions.51 (9th July)

LOWER & (JUBA HOOSE & DHEXE)

Many IDPs are streaming from Gedo, Bay and Bakol regions to in the wake of the current drought that has affected most people in southern Somalia. There has been a recent surge in IDPs reaching Kismaayo town, as many IDPs have fled their rural homes when their livestock died. The town of Kismaayo has been increasingly stressed economically because of the new IDPs arrivals and the town’s main source of income, the port, not functioning due to the seasonal trends and recent aerial attacks on Al Shabaab positions.52

• Al Shabaab banned residents of Kismaayo town in Lower Juba region from fleeing to Kenya in search of humanitarian aid after in a speech in a town mosque, the Al Shabaab mayor of Kismaayo warned IDPs of fleeing Kismaayo to Kenya in search of aid.53 (9th July)

ACTIONS AND RESPONSE

Local and international governments and aid agencies have continued to call for emergency aid to assist the drought-afflicted populations in Somalia, with many governments, aid agencies and civil society groups adhering to the calls for increased aid and urgent humanitarian action. International governments in recent weeks, including the United Kingdom, United States, and Italy have pledged additional support to assist in emergency drought intervention; in addition, the Kenyan government has agreed to open the

49 Shabelle Media Network, Calm returns to parts in southern Somalia after fighting , 25 th June available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8026 50 Raxanreeb, Al-Shabaab fighters abduct two aid workers , 13 th July available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=103511 Shabelle Media Network, Al shabaab arrests aid workers in southern Somalia town , 13 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8708 51 Shabelle Media Network, Ten died of hunger in southern Somalia region , 9 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8532 52 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 53 Shabelle Media Network, Al Shabaab blocks drought-hit people from fleeing to Kenya , 9 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8537 8 Ifo Camp II in northern Kenya to assist in the decongestion of the overcrowded Dadaab refugee camp and allow for immediate assistance to new refugee arrivals from Somali. 54

In response to the lifting of the ban of aid agencies in southern Somalia by Al Shabaab, UNICEF in the last week has resumed airlifts of medications and nutrition and water-related supplies to Baidoa town in Bay region of southern Somalia. 55

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resumed operations in Mogadishu by delivering dry food rations to newly arrived IDPs throughout the capital following the announcement to lift the ban by Al Shabaab. 56

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) this week distributed 1,000 NFI kits to 1,000 families and 700 tents reaching 700 families to IDPs located on the outskirts of Mogadishu. 57

Civil society and local groups within Somalia have expanded relief assistance in recent weeks to drought victims facing emergency conditions. Reports have indicated that local resident groups in Mogadishu and Kismaayo have collected and distributed food rations and monetary provisions for new IDP arrivals in the towns. 58

In Mogadishu, TFG forces recently donated portions of their monthly salaries to assist IDPs in Mogadishu, 59 and Hijra organization in Mogadishu has provided over 200 IDP fishermen with fishing equipment in a campaign that is expected to role out in other parts of southern Somalia soon.60 In addition, the Banadir administration recently opened a new IDP camp in of Mogadishu to ease overcrowding in IDP camps in Hamar Weyne district and 500 IDPs were transferred to the new camp from Hamar Weyne. 61

In response to and prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), especially in settlements where gang rapes take place in Gaalkacyo, UNHCR through DRC will in 2011 continue to provide solar light to two new IDP settlements in south Gaalkacyo. DRC through separate funding sources has further provided solar light in Margaga IDP settlement in north Gaalkacyo.

54 BBC News, Horn of Africa drought: Kenya to open Ifo II camp , 14 th July available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14159182 55 VOA News, UNICEF resumes airlifts into South-Central Somalia , 13 th July available at http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/UNICEF-Resumes-Airlifts-into-South-Central-Somalia-125508283.html 56 BBC News, Horn of Africa drought: Somalia aid supplies boosted , 12 th July available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14118507 57 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Weekly Humanitarian Bulletin Issue #27 , 8 th July available at http://ochaonline.un.org/OchaLinkClick.aspx?link=ocha&docId=1240579 58 Reports received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 59 Raxanreeb, TFG forces give their salaries to help displaced families , 12 th July available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=103442 60 Shabelle Media Network, Hijra distributed fishing equipments to displaced fishermen in Mogadishu , 4 th July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=8320 61 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 12 th July 2011 9