Somaliland Assistance Bulletin

1 Somaliland Assistance Bulletin

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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

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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

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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 provide to teachers and reported performance following 20 house in Ayaha (Phase I) & 32 in Gacan improvement at classroom level. Quality education is Libah (Phase II). Selection of the beneficiaries of these challenged by lack of qualified teachers. It is estimated houses took place on 18 October through a lottery that of all teachers, only 21% have received appropriate exercise at Hargeisa Municipality. NRC housing project training. There is only one centre for teachers training will provide a total of 170 low-cost housing units to run on private basis and not in collaboration with the relocate families from State House to identified Ministry of Education. permanent locations, however this amounts to less than 10% of the total population. There is need to advocate Under the school feeding program, WFP distributed 38 among the different relevant authorities (Hargeisa MT of mixed food commodities in a total of 16 schools Municipality, Ministry of Interior & Ministry of reaching a total of 6, 072 school children (4430 boys and Rehabilitation, Resettlement & Repatriation) on the 1642 girls). WFP has also supported the construction of speeding up of the relocation plan for the residents of 10 schools canteens in Togdheer region that were State House (3,300 households) & Stadium (750 completed during October. Progress has been achieved households). NRC in collaboration with UNICEF & MOE in primary enrolment, currently estimated at 35%, about is currently setting up temporary school tents in State two thirds of these enrolled being boys. Dropout rates House; these tents would accommodate 300 school remain very high especially among girls, of those who children of whom 150 are girls. Progress was also enroll in Grade1 only 54% reach Grade5. Adequate witnessed in Ayaha where UNHCR/CARE finalized the access to education is hampered by many constraints, construction a primary school with 4 classrooms; UNDP including school fees, and other related costs such as facilitated the operation of Ayaha market where around uniform and poor school facilities (latrines & water 10 women were engaged in petty trade. Construction of supply). Among vulnerable groups (namely IDPs & foundation also began on the UN-HABITAT shelter returnees), children drop out of school in search for project (44 houses), where in addition 149 men & 67 labour to contribute to the household income. School women received training on construction skills. feeding has proven efficient in enhancing enrolment and sustaining attendance.

Health & Nutrition In collaboration with MOHL, UNICF undertook a number of capacity building initiatives to health personnel within Somaliland whereby a five-days refresher training for 33 MCH OPD nurses was conducted in Hargeisa. The objective of the training was to improve the drug quality, management and rational use of drugs through empowering and educating the MCH OPD Nurse in 33 health facilities from Galbeed, Awdal and Sahil regions. In addition a TOT training for Somaliland Measles catch up campaign was conducted in Hargeisa where 30 participants from the Central Ministry and the six regions participated the training. 703 vaccination teams were WFP School Feeding at Mohamed Mogeh. Photo by UN OCHA. trained on measles disease. The training was conducted in the respective capital towns of all regions, except Sool Education region in collaboration with SRCS. A five days training During the reporting period 20 newly recruited school was also conducted for 30 Community Health Workers mentors started on job training to primary school from Togdheer region on the control of Micro-nutreint

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Deficiencies such as Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) and solutions for recognized refugees, with the support of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) at community level. UNHCR’s Regional Support Hub in Nairobi.

The 2nd round of Expanded Program for Immunization Flood protection (EPI), acceleration activities was conducted in Lasanod Following the floods that hit Hargeisa in late April 2005, and Erigavo towns. During the five days immunization while relief assistance was provided by humanitarian campaign at each town, Vitamin A and iron folic acid actors, it was identified then that there is need to were provided to pregnant mothers and children between enhance emergency preparedness. During the reporting 6 to 59 months. Target reached include about 1,520 period UNDP initiated the process of conduction of children under the age of one year, 2,927 children over feasibility study to identify required long term flood one year and 1,670 women of child bearing age. control measures. This effort will be undertaken in collaboration with relevant government representatives, UNICEF supported the implementation of MCH based UN agencies, national & international NGOs. growth monitoring and promotion activities in 13 villages in Sheikh District and in Jamo Laye IDP/returnee Coordination activities/ missions/wokrshops settlement in Berbera. The purpose of this activity was to The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for monitor the growth trends of the children less than 3 Somalia (SRSG), Francois Lonseny Fall, visited years and to create dialogue with the parents and care Somaliland on 30 to 31 October 2005. This was givers of infants and distribute iron folic acid Ambassador Fall’s first visit to Somaliland. According to supplementation to the pregnant and lactating women. the local press he held successful meetings with the This activity covered around 700 children and 300 Somaliland President and cabinet of ministries. Mr. Fall pregnant lactating mothers in the respective locations. also held meetings with the 3 political parties and the civil society. Following the visit, the 3 political parties (the Water & Sanitation two opposition parties UCID & Kulmiye and the Construction of sanitation facilities for Burao governing party UCUB) issued a collective statement to IDPs/returnees (Kossar) and Haragwafi school water Ambassador Fall, where it was highlighted, among other connection was completed during the reporting period. issues, that Somaliland’s independence is irreversible Extension of Dararwayne and El-afwayne water yards and not negotiable. commenced and is ongoing with good progress. School Sanitation & Hygiene Training was conducted for 24 school teachers from eight schools in Togdheer and Galbeed. Community hygiene promotion was also initiated in seven villages including Odwayne, Alixussien and Koosar villages were completed.

Protection In October 2005, UNHCR continued to work closely with the Somaliland Refugee Eligibility Committee. Refugee status determination interviews were conducted for 40 asylum seekers referred to UNHCR by the committee, and 18 decisions were issued. There are currently 456 recognized refugees living in Somaliland, mainly from Ethiopia, but with a small number coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, Yemen and Uganda. Vulnerable The UN RC/HC Mr. Max Gaylard talking to the community at Ayaha refugees receive assistance to access primary health Settlement, photo by UN OCHA care, education and other basic needs. Asylum seekers continue to arrive from Ethiopia and other countries. In Somaliland celebrated the UN’s 60 anniversary with October, 19 new asylum seekers were registered with different events. On 20 October 2005 the UN Resident UNHCR and work continued on identifying durable Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Max Gaylard launched a plantation ceremony for 60 trees at

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IDP/Returnee Settlement of Ayaha in Hargeisa. Another discussed the objectives, membership and working event that took place was an open discussion forum with procedures of the forum. While an appreciable number of university students (University of Hargeisa). thematic/sectoral coordination mechanisms are already in place, linkages among them are weak and sectoral A high level joint mission from UNDP Regional Bureau coordination remains lagging. The HCF is meant to for Arab States (RBAS) and the UNDP Bureau for Crisis facilitate cross-sectoral coordination, facilitate monitoring Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) visited Somaliland on of response & identification of gaps to be addressed. 30-31 October. The purpose of the mission was to follow up on UNDP ongoing activities swathing Somaliland and to further strengthen this partnership. The mission had meetings with the President and senior ministries and visited a number of UNDP activities including Ayaha settlement, the Legal Clinic & the Civil Service Institute . The UN Head of OCHA Somalia and OCHA IDP & Protection Officer visited Somaliland from 11 to14 October 2005. Besides attending the monthly IDP Taskforce meeting, they visited the Legal Clinic and held meetings with partners including the authorities, UN and international/national NGOs. Discussions included the way forward for establishment of an interagency Protection Monitoring & Advocacy Network at field level.

The World Food Day was celebrated on 16 October 2005 jointly by FAO and Ministry of Agriculture. The occasion was attended by a large representation of government, UN, national and international NGOs. While 60% to 65% of the population relies on livestock & livestock products, agriculture comes next. The most recent FSAU Post-Gu analysis estimated Somaliland’s total cereal at 30,740 MT, increase of 190% compared to a normal year. Rehabilitation of the agriculture sector would reduce the vulnerability of relying solely on livestock, on the other hand agriculture offers a great potential to facilitate reintegration of returnees and displaced persons who are currently residing within and around urban centres with extremely limited employment opportunities. Besides, Somaliland has a coastline of about 850 kms, while fishing is ongoing on small scale, this sector remain untapped.

A joint UN HIV/AIDS Mission visited Hargeisa from 11 to 14 October. The aim of the mission was to follow-up with the recently established National Aids Commission on interventions regarding HIV/AIDS.

UNICEF held their annual review workshop on 23 October with participation of government authorities, sister UN agencies, national & international NGOs.

Within the month of October, OCHA called for the first Humanitarian Coordination Forum (HCF). The meeting