1 Somaliland Assistance Bulletin 1 - 31 October 2005 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION distribution and intensity were good and allowed for Security & access further replenishment of water and pasture resources. Security situation remained calm during the reporting Livestock reproduction was reported as above normal period yet while parliamentary elections were not with increased availability of milk/ghee at household conducted within areas of Sool and Sanaag under level, improved livestock products for consumption and control of Puntland authorities, the tension across those sale. Approaching the upcoming peak season, areas mounted seriously over the elections period. That associated with Hajj towards end of December, sheep decision was taken by the national electoral commission and goats exports in Berbera surged in October (NEC) due to the threat of violence, which might have amounting to 142,554 heads of shoats. Among agro- disrupted the whole process. As long as this issue pastoralists , Gu-karan harvest is expected in late remains unresolved, access & security in these areas will November, further rains encouraged planting of short remain fragile and will continue to limit the presence of cycle crops of sorghum and maize. humanitarian actors. Following the arrest of a group of terrorists, who were allegedly linked to Al-Qaida sources in Mogadishu, in late September 2005, the threat of attacks by terrorists/extremists poses as a major concern for the humanitarian community within Somaliland. 2003 & 2004 witnessed the killing of 4 expatriate humanitarian workers; those incidents were attributed to extremists, who are currently under trial in Hargeisa. In an effort to enhance security & safety of humanitarian workers, the UN in collaboration with the national authorities established a Special Protection Unit (SPU) to provide protection for humanitarian workers of UN & international NGOs. Since then no further incidents were reported. Political/civil affairs Salt production at Zeila district, Awdal region. Potential income generating activities identified by the community to support livelihood of returnees in Zeila The results of the parliamentary elections were include fishing & salt production. Photo by UN OCHA announced on 14 October, the ruling party, Union of Democrats (UDUB) won 33 of the 82 seats in parliament, IDPs/Returnees while the opposition Kulmiye (Solidarity) and Justice and During the month of October, a three-day mission led by Welfare (UCID) parties took 28 and 21 seats the Head of the UNHCR Sub Office in Hargeisa was respectively. Kulmiye & UCID agreed to form a coalition; fielded in Djibouti. The purpose of the mission was to where it is proposed that the speaker be from UCID, follow up on the current ongoing repatriation from while the two deputy speakers from Kulmiye. Two out of Djibouti and make projections for the remaining part of the seven women candidates won seats, respectively in 2005 and 2006. Six repatriation convoys are scheduled Sanaag and Awdal regions. A coalition of local NGOs to take place before end of the year and the repatriation including NAGAAD Women’s Umbrella Organization operation from Djibouti is due to close in the first quarter issued a joint appeal on 18 October urging the President, of 2006. Only one voluntary repatriation convoy took members of the House of Elders, members of the newly place in October 2005, as repatriation was suspended elected parliament to amend the current Somaliland during Ramadan. A total of 610 refugees registered for Constitution and the Electoral Law as soon as possible the convoy, which left Hol Hol camp in Djibouti on 3 to ensure minimum quota for women to enable enhanced October, the refugees were repatriated to Harirad and women’s participation in future. Boroma accompanied by UNHCR the MRRR, an ambulance and security escorts. To date 8,510 refugees Food Security/Livelihoods have returned this year, from Ethiopia, Djibouti, South According to FSAU, Deyr rain started on time, whereby Africa and Bangladesh. Since 1994, more than 700,000 most areas received normal to above normal rains refugees are estimated to have returned to Somaliland, except for parts of southern Awdal region. Rainfall of whom 250,293 repatriated with UNHCR assistance. This monthly bulletin is compiled by UNOCHA in collaboration with humanitarian actors operating in Somaliland. For further information please contact wafaa. [email protected], or [email protected]. All references to Somaliland pertain to the self-declared but unrecognized Republic of Somaliland. 1 2 Somaliland Assistance Bulletin 1 - 31 October 2005 As mentioned above, repatriation from Hol Hol and Ali It was hoped that the final results would highlight Adeh camps in Djibouti is still ongoing, and is expected different levels of vulnerabilities across the different to be completed early next year. Large-scale voluntary settlements. repatriation from Ethiopia to Somaliland was completed in May 2005, with the closure of Aisha camp. OCHA made a presentation on the settlements Mohamed Mogeh, Sheikh Nur, Aw’aden & Stadium. During the reporting period, OCHA undertook monitoring Representatives from the Legal Clinic (LC) made a visits to the 7 IDP/Returnee settlements in Hargeisa: presentation on objectives and functioning of the LC. namely Mohamed Mooge, Sheikh Nur, Aw’Adan, Ayaha, The LC is under the Faculty of Law, University of Daami, Stadium & State House. The purpose was to Hargeisa and was established in November 2002 with follow-up on ongoing interventions. Mohamed Mooge, support from UNDP and UNHCR. Currently the LC is Sheikh Nuur & Aw’Aden are permanent, municipality- handling around 12 IDPs/minority cases mainly in the planned settlements where majority of residents own area of land disputes, personal security and arbitrary land. These 3 settlements form an integrated part of arrest. It was raised that the LC is out of reach of most Hargeisa city sharing the same facilities and problems as vulnerable groups who are mainly residing at the other neighbourhoods of the city. On the other hand peripheries of the city. There is urgent need to enhance State House & Stadium are both temporary settlements the outreach of the LC. Gashan, a national NGO based where the authorities are planning to reallocate the in Daami settlement presented few cases to demonstrate residents to other parts of Hargeisa. Ayaha 2 settlers are the type of violations that displaced persons are subject still struggling due to their relatively recent arrival to within Daami. It was evident that there are no (August 2004), while Daami remains among the most mechanisms in place to facilitate systematic collection unfortunate. and analysis of protection related data. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE Drought Response Relief food (447 MT) was distributed to a total of 7,620 recipients (6,156 female & 1,464 males) in 32 drought- affected villages and vulnerable households in parts of Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag regions. Under rehabilitation a total of 347 MT of mixed food commodities were distributed to 19,524 beneficiaries out of whom 30% were females covering a total of 21 projects in Hargeisa, Berbera, Sheikh, Burao, Odweine, Ainabo and Yigori districts. Under the UNDP's 'Sustainable livelihoods & Drought Mitigation' Project, PENHA is undertaking community- based soil and water conservation activities in Gar’dag Lady seller at Ayaha market, photo by UN OCHA and Hudun districts within the Sool/Sanaag regions. The above activities are being undertaken through 'Cash for The monthly interagency IDP taskforce meeting was Work', employing an average of 50 persons per site conducted on 12 October 2005 at Mansoor Hotel (around 600 beneficiaries in total). These activities are (Hargeisa). During the meeting FSAU presented scheduled to end by December 2005. preliminary results of the nutrition survey conducted among IDP/returnee settlements during September OXFAM is preparing to undertake in November 2005 2005. Initial results indicate Global Acute Malnutrition distribution of burden animals (he-camels) for targeted (GAM) rate of 7.6% compared to 15.3% in 2003. households among the drought-affected communities in According to WHO standards this is still within the Alert Togdheer region who lost their packing camels. Such an zone of 5.0% to 9.9%. During discussions, concern was intervention will particularly target the areas where raised that general improving results might obscure OXFAM engaged during in 2004/2005. On the other deteriorating conditions at specific sites such as Daami. hand, VETAID is implementing an ongoing pastoralists This monthly bulletin is compiled by UNOCHA in collaboration with humanitarian actors operating in Somaliland. For further information please contact wafaa. [email protected], or [email protected]. All references to Somaliland pertain to the self-declared but unrecognized Republic of Somaliland. 2 3 Somaliland Assistance Bulletin 1 - 31 October 2005 support program in Odweyne & Burao districts teachers at the school level in all the six regions, this (Togdheer Region); where main activities include fodder UNICEF-supported initiative is meant to improve quality production and flood erosion control. of teaching methodology. Currently there are a total of 40 school mentors who are supporting about 750 primary IDPs & Returnees Response school teachers. Primary school heads and regional NRC has completed the construction of 24 low-cost education authorities commended the guidance school houses in Mohamed Mogeh settlement (Phase III), mentors