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Protection Cluster Update Weekly Report

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Protection Cluster Update Weekly Report Protection Cluster Update Funded by: The People of Japan Weeklyhttp://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=4297 Report 12 th August 2011 European Commission IASC Somalia •Objective Protection Monitoring Network (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 during the last two weeks 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 After heavy fighting in the second week of August between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and AMISOM on the one hand and Al Shabaab on the other , Al Shabaab forces withdrew from most Districts of Mogadishu including Bondhere, Shibis, Shangani, Wardhigley, Hodan, Waberi and Wadajir, as well as from areas of Galgaduud and Middle Juba regions. 1It remains to be seen whether the withdrawal from these areas will have a positive impact on the protection environment. Following the withdrawal from Mogadishu, sporadic reprisals against AMISOM troops in evacuated districts have caused many residents to flee from the northern districts of the capital. Al Shabaab reportedly continues to carry out sporadic attacks throughout the city.2 Despite the intermittent fighting, an unconfirmed number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have reportedly begun moving to vacated areas of Bondhere and Hodan districts after Al Shabaab withdrew on Saturday. Some reports indicate that the IDP families opted to settle in these locations as an alternative to the congested areas in TFG-controlled areas. 3 At the beginning of August, the United Nations (UN) declared famine in three more areas of southern Somalia, including Middle Shabelle, the Afgooye corridor and parts of Mogadishu, in addition to Bay, Bakool. 4 However, access to Al Shabaab-controlled areas in the South continues to hinder relief efforts. 1 Washington Post, Spokesmen: Islamist militia leaving Somali capital- AP , 7 th August available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/spokesmen-islamist-militia-leaving-somali- capital/2011/08/06/gIQAfTsqzI_story.html Somalia Report, Al-Shabaab Flees Third Major Area , 11 th August available at http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1343/Al- Shabaab_Flees_Third_Major_Area?PHPSESSID=e1f681b711d469cbeacece01545ab881 2 Google News, Mogadishu residents flee Somali rebel clashes , 8 th August available at http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iZG4B7ntSk5_IBAfBXrBtU0vyy2g?docId=CNG.134982ec52950e2 82f99f40cd0f0f2c5.8e1 Shabelle Media Network, Residents flee Al shabaab abandoned Mogadishu districts , 9 th August available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=9543 Somalia Report, Al-Shabaab Fighters Hiding Throughout Mogadishu , 7 th August available at http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1314/Al- Shabaab_Fighters_Hiding_Throughout_Mogadishu?PHPSESSID=a67834bcba3edfd76c2764cb4ecde2c6 3 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 11 th August 2011 4 United Nations, UN declares famine in another three areas of Somalia , 3 rd August available at http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39225&Cr=Somalia&Cr1 1 The humanitarian community has stepped up humanitarian interventions and assistance in Mogadishu and in Baidoa. During the past week, PMN/PMT partners have reported a decline in the numbers of IDPs fleeing to Mogadishu ostensibly as some humanitarian partners have been able to access and assist drought affected population in Al Shabaab restricted areas. 5 ICRC and other agencies continue carrying out some interventions in Southern regions. It is thought that this has resulted in a decrease in the numbers crossing the border into Kenya and Ethiopia. According to reports Al Shabaab continues to prevent people from leaving areas under its control. Despite the movement restrictions imposed by Al Shabaab, a number of IDPs, mostly women and children defied the Al Shabaab orders and were able to move to border towns of Dollow and Dobley in order to receive food aid. Most of the men were reportedly prevented from moving. PMN partners have witnessed an increase in the number of protection concerns resulting from the increased displacement, affecting mostly displaced women and children, particularly while in transit. Increased exposure to sexual and domestic violence, early and forced marriages, family separations, increased risk of recruitment and use of children by armed forces or groups are among these protection concerns. MOGADISHU (BANADIR) Protests in recent weeks have continued, with IDPs accusing the TFG and aid agencies of not doing enough to assist the famine-stricken populations.6 The lack of adequate shelters for new arrivals in the capital has been compounded by the recent torrential rains, which have destroyed many of the makeshift shelters and left many IDPs suffering from waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea 7 The physical security situation in evacuated Al Shabaab districts remain a major protection concern, with TFG authorities warning IDPs not to move into these areas until further notice. So far, there has been minimal return to these areas, as residents would seem to prefer to adopt a cautious approach. • Four children between ages of 9 and 11 were severely injured in Shibis district of Mogadishu when an explosive device detonated in an abandoned military trench presumably planted by Al Shabaab. The children were taken to the hospital. 8 (11 th August) • At least one person died and others were injured during clashes between TFG/AMISOM forces and Al Shabaab during which both sides are said to have shelled northern parts of Mogadishu. 9 (8 th August) 5 IRIN, Number of drought-displaced arriving in Mogadishu "dropping" , 8 th August available at http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93446 6 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 7 th August 2011 7 Washington Post, Somalia’s famine refugees drenched and cold after torrential rains pound capital , 1 st August 2011 available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/somalias-famine-refugees-drenched-and-cold-after-torrential-rains-pound- capital/2011/07/31/gIQAibFDlI_story.html 8 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 11 th August 2011 9 Shabelle Media Network, Clashes still continue in Mogadishu , 8 th August available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=9527 2 • A 55 year old driver was reportedly killed by an AMISOM soldier in the district of Hodan, Banadir region. The reason behind the killing is still unknown. 10 (6 th August) • One person was killed by indiscriminate fire in Hodan district of Mogadishu. The indiscriminate fire allegedly came from AMISOM forces operating in the area. 11 (6th August) • A man was seriously injured after TFG soldiers fired on each other in a dispute allegedly regarding illegal taxation of a passing truck in Waaberi district.12 (4 th August) • A radio station journalist who was moving radio equipment in Bakara market was shot in crossfire allegedly by AMISOM troops. 13 (3rd August) • Two TFG officers were sentenced to death by the TFG military court for their involvement in looting of food aid distributions in IDP settlements in Dharkenley district.14 (2 nd August) • One person died and five others were injured when AMISOM forces opened fire on a group of people allegedly trying to break their fast prior to daybreak during Ramadan. 15 (2 nd August) • A bus driver was shot and killed by a TFG officer when the two men disputed after the bus splashed water on the TFG officer.16 (31 st July) • A Somali MP was shot and killed by three unidentified gunmen as he was leaving a mosque in Xamar Wayne district of Mogadishu.17 (31 st July) • Two children were killed and another was injured after a mortar shell hit their home in Heliwaa district of Mogadishu during fighting between AMISOM forces and Al Shabaab.18 (30 th July) NORTH-WEST (AWDAL, WOQOOYI GALBEED & TOGDHEER) General insecurity resulting from armed violence continues to be the main protection concern in the North-West regions of Somaliland. Rape and physical assaults on women and children committed by private persons not affiliated with the state continue to take place in greater numbers due to the lack of protection mechanisms for these vulnerable groups. Most of these attacks go unpunished in the absence 10 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 8 th August 2011 11 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 8 th August 2011 12 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 10 th August 2011 13 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 7 th August 2011 Raxanreeb, Radio operator killed in Mogadishu , 4 th August available at http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=106125 14 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 7 th August 2011 15 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 7 th August 2011 16 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 2 nd August 2011 Shabelle Media Network, Somali soldier kills a civilian driver in Mogadishu, 31 st July available at http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=9418 17 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 1 st August 2011 Somalia Report, Gunman assassinate Somali MP , 31 st July available at http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1262/Gunmen_Assassinate_Somali_MP?PHPSESSID=c8657ceddf1910b240c 9bf129c005c48 18 Report received from IASC Protection Cluster Partner, 1 st August 2011 3 of effective rule of law. A number of deaths of people attempting to cross the Djibouti-Somaliland border have been reported over the last two weeks. • 13 dead bodies of Ethiopian migrants were found in Loya'ado area of Awdal region. Reports suggest that the migrants may have died due to hunger and thirst during their journey. Officials from Somaliland and Djibouti authority collected all the dead bodies along the border in Somaliland side and jointly 19 th buried them at Damerajog in Djibouti. (10 August) • 17 dead bodies of Ethiopian migrants were found in Loya'ado crossing point along the Djibouti-Somaliland border.
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