UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review

November 2006

One million could be organizations have been involved in the Contents… distribution of non-food items as well as affected by floods hygiene promotion. In the Juba Valley Floods affect almost the response has been challenged by 1000,000 Somalia…1 Widespread flooding has directly limited and reduced presence on the affected an estimated 340,000 people ground by humanitarian agencies. Political and security along riverine areas in Central/Southern developments…2

Somalia: 194,000 along the Shabelle Programme and 146,000 along the Juba. If the situation persists, upto one million Updates… people could be directly affected in the coming weeks. In Northeast Somalia Health update…3 (‘Puntland’), recent heavy rainfall has Nutrition update…3 caused localized flooding. The floods came at a time when almost 1.8 million Water and people (August 2006 estimates) in Environmental Somalia were facing a highly vulnerable Sanitation update…4 humanitarian context and in need of assistance and still recovering from the Education update…4 Cowering under cold, but glad to have some effects of a major drought. polythene for shelter, these residents of Youth development Farbaraki village, Balad district are some of update…4 Since mid-September food relief, shelter the beneficiaries of UNICEF support Credit: materials and tens of thousands of UNICEF Somalia/CSZ Office-Yalahow. HIV/AIDS update …4 treated mosquito nets and sandbags have been distributed by the UN and its Child Protection…5 partners. More non-food items (NFIs), medical, food and other supplies are Communication for being prepared for transport to affected development update…6 areas. Different organizations are taking the lead in coordinating the flood OTHERs response Along the Juba and Shabelle rivers. Local authorities and the Somali Somali youth poll…3 Red Crescent Society are providing support. Both the Transitional Federal Partnerships…6 Government (TFG) and the Council of Somali Islamic Courts (COSIC) have Marooned by floods, these houses in Hiran established flood emergency UNICEF is assisting are a stark reminder of the challenges facing committees at local level with whom UN 250,000 people in relief efforts in Central/Southern Somalia agencies are cooperating and sharing urgent need of where UNICEF continues to provide relief supplies.To date, information. support. Credit: Somali Red Crescent Society. UNICEF has delivered shelter materials, In Hiran, the response has resulted in The total needs for the ongoing floods delivery of food, water trucking and blankets, jerry cans, response are estimated at around US$ soap, cooking sets, provision of medical treatment. In Middle 28.4 million, of which around US$ 10.3 and Lower Shabelle, UNICEF and other hand tools, sandbags, nutrition supplies and birth delivery kits. In addition, supplies for water treatment are being distributed. UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review 2 million has been provided by the UN’s and COSIC would have a disastrous UNICEF Central Emergency Response Fund impact on the ability of communities to Operational (CERF). Beneficiaries have so far cope and exacerbate already precarious Areas… included the Food and Agriculture food security and livelihood conditions. Organization, WFP and UNICEF. The humanitarian community is appealing to Political and Security Northwest Zone – donors for an additional US$18.1 million Hargeisa Office to cover activities in the sectors of developments update… health, water and sanitation, nutrition, Awdal food, logistics, protection, education, The Council of Somali Islamic Courts West Galbeed livelihoods and early recovery. organized demonstrations in Mogadishu Togdheer to protest against a proposed UN Sahil Somalis and local authorities have also Security Council resolution in support of Sool undertaken self-help initiatives. A the deployment of foreign peacekeepers Sanaag Council of Somali Islamic Courts and lifting of the arms embargo on (COSIC) initiative in Mogadishu raised Somalia. Following talks between the about US$500,000 for the flood-affected Speaker of the now-split TFG Northeast Zone – from local and Diaspora contributions. Parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Bossaso Office Priority needs are mainly in the water and some MPs with representatives of and sanitation sector given that COSIC in Mogadishu, the two sides Bari outbreaks of waterborne diseases are of agreed on the need to continue Nugal major concern. Access to affected deliberations geared towards securing a Mudug populations remains a big challenge peaceful resolution to differences with more boats and aircraft required. between COSIC and the TFG Due to little or no infrastructure, and leadership based in Baidoa. TFG Central and flooding itself, several primary roads are President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Southern Zone – now completely impassable while the Prime Minister Ali Ghedi opposed Baidoa, Jowhar airstrips are either dilapidated or the Speaker’s initiative. and Mogadishu unusable because of the rains. Trucks have been stuck in the mud for days In the late afternoon of 30 November, a Galgaduud trying to transport food. car bomb explosion at a check point Hiran near Baidoa killed eight people including Middle Shabelle Two helicopters have been secured by a child. Lower Shabelle WFP to offer logistics support to UN and Benadir NGOs. Flights are in many cases the Various reports of skirmishes between Lower Juba only means of transporting aid supplies COSIC and TFG troops and militia Middle Juba and WFP plans to start food air drop backed by Ethiopia were reported. One Gedo operations. of the skirmishes was between COSIC Bay forces and those of Colonel Abdi Bakool

Qaybdid, an ally of the TFG in On the political front, any outbreak of Bandiradley – 60km south of Galkayo. fighting resulting from deterioration in Several people were killed and others the present political stand-off between injured. the Transitional Federal Government

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A delegation led by the Special Envoy of health (MCH) centres and training of UNHEARD the UN Secretary General for Somalia, health workers took place in Adale, VOICES Ambassador Francis Fall, visited Baidoa Warsheikh, Runnirgod and Merka. on 21 November and met the TFG Somali youth get President and Prime Minister. The UNICEF supported a three-week a hearing delegation urged both the TFG and the training of trainers course in the COSIC to continue dialogue and avoid prevention of mother to child An opinion poll escalating conflict in Somalia. transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. It took conducted in May place in Jinja, Uganda. A total of 20 among Somali children from across the Unrest: A riot broke out in Berbera town, participants from Somalia took part. country gives voice to Sahil region of Somaliland on Thursday, their dreams, November 17. The disturbances Donations: Three ambulances were aspirations and occurred as residents protested the donated to provide support to opinions. removal of metal scrap for export from community-based emergency The poll initiated by the former Berbera Cement Factory obstetric care in Puntland. The UNICEF in partnership compound. Five people were injured vehicles will serve communities in with Africa Child Policy and one reported killed in the effort to Hafun, the worst-hit location by the Forum is the first of its quell protestors. Tsunami of December 2004, Bender kind in Somalia: a Beyla and Eyl. country that has not known peace for close Health update… to 16 years. It sampled Nutrition update… 531 children (286 boys and 245 girls) aged Advocacy: Social mobilization was between 9 and17 conducted to raise awareness on Training: Thirty health workers from years old, in four key maternal health services available in Burao and Borama hospitals in urban and rural Somaliland. Advocacy was also carried Somaliland were trained in locations (Merca, Beletweyne, Bossaso out for immunization against polio. Print management of severe malnutrition. and Hargeisa). and electronic media carried content on Another 90 staff of MCH centres were issues crucial to the immunization trained in administration of vitamin A The poll indicates that exercise. and iron-cum-folic acid parents are crucial in instilling important supplementation to mothers after values and indicates Polio: A polio immunization campaign delivery. In Puntland, UNICEF in that the following as took place between 6 and 8 November collaboration with the Galkayo the most important in Puntland. UNICEF in partnership with Education Centre for Peace and values instilled by WHO, media and NGOs mobilized Development trained 35 people in them: ‘respect for others’, ‘telling the communities to ensure immunization of advocacy for breastfeeding. Training truth’, ‘not stealing’ and 141,965 children. of community and maternal health “being responsible.’ centre workers commenced in areas Training: Personnel were trained to affected by the Tsunami of 2004. 90% of Somali children sampled, enjoy a carry out a measles campaign in Elbur remarkably good and Galhareri and other locations in relationship with their Central/Southern Somalia. parents and appreciate Rehabilitation of maternal and child them most for their love, and care.

Poll highlights appear in boxes in next two pages….2

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Water and Environmental teachers, students, local authorities UNHEARD VOICES….2 and community members as part of Sanitation update… the effort to promote school clubs for According to the poll, two-thirds of the child-to-child learning. children believed that Projects: Construction and rehabilitation Classroom tents: Twenty-two school elections are a ‘very of water projects in Arabsiyo, Gebiley, tents were installed in 12 villages of effective’ means to Berbera, Agabar and Wadamagoo Somaliland. The tents are currently improve the state of things in the country. continued in Somaliland. Similar work facilitating learning for 660 students. Rural children took place in Huddur, Baidoa and Bur Tents were repaired in Bossaso, expressed the most Hakaba in Central/Southern Somalia. Puntland where 2,000 children learn confidence in under school tents. In elections. Though Sanitation: School sanitation projects Central/Southern Somalia, 47 school none of the children had ever experienced continued in Somaliland and Puntland. tents were provided to schools in an election, it is In Somaliland, 30 teachers were trained Lower Shabelle, Gedo and Bay notable that the in hygiene and environmental sanitation. regions. Construction of Baidoa Girls majority supported a Wheel barrows, shovels, rakes and pick Primary School was completed. democratic electoral process. axes for environmental clean-up were donated to four European Union funded Supplies: Education supplies were projects in Puntland. Twelve latrines distributed to schools in all regions On the topic of ‘young people’s participation’ were completed in Aran, Gorisane and of Somaliland, parts of Puntland and only 17% of children Habare primary schools in Bay, Central in Central/Southern Somalia. said they were Somalia. Construction of another 14 consulted on matters latrines and digging of wells is going on Youth Participation affecting them in their in Merka and its environs. community. One third said they were never and Development consulted, while 45% update… did not know of any Education update… system of consultation.

Training: About 400 teachers were Training: Seventy-three youth were Among issues on which they would like trained in mentoring of primary school trained in the use of participatory to be consulted, teachers in subject-teaching and education theatre for development in education received top methodology. Another 415 teachers Somaliland, Puntland and billing. Issues which were trained in Mogadishu. A major Central/Southern Somalia. most concerned them were the need for challenge in Somalia is overcrowding in more schools (12%) classes with some classes in major Addis meeting: UNICEF facilitated and for improvements towns having 70 to 80 students. participation of Somali youth in the in educational Meanwhile training of community African Development Forum held in standards (12%). education committees continues. The Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Other matters on which they wanted to committees are widely responsible for be consulted were school management and development HIV/AIDS update… insecurity, hygiene and health matters, and in Somalia. health information. UNICEF has helped the Network of Despite the country’s Advocacy: UNICEF initiated advocacy People Infected and Affected by insecurity, 60% of the in Puntland and Somaliland targeting HIV, Youth Advocacy and Social children said that they wanted to continue to live in Somalia. A third said they would consider living in another country with 23% favouring the USA; 24% Britain and 4 17% opted for Asia.

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Development in Somaliland to establish Testing: UNICEF donated a CD-4 UNHEARD VOICES…3 an office with furniture and equipment. count machine to the Somaliland The organization is dedicated to helping administration. The donation from the The cultural practices considered most harmful people living with HIV. Among the Global Fund Against AIDS, by the children were activities planned by the organization is Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATIM) is female genital mutilation the organization of a weekly meeting of useful in monitoring the viral load of (57%), early marriage people living with HIV at their compound persons with HIV. (38%); male circumcision; child to discuss issues pertinent to their bondage and polygamy. welfare. Child Protection No particular person ‘Woman to woman’: As part of this update… emerged strongly as a initiative for HIV prevention and control, role model for the children, although they 600 women in Somaliland participated in Network: A child protection network identified the following as discussions on information and was established by 16 partner people they looked up to: knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Meetings organizations from Togdheer region. traditional and religious were also organized for 300 other Child protection advocates from leaders; athletes, different locations were trained in musicians and teachers. women and girls as part of a peer 25% of children polled education component of the initiative. Bossaso. said they had no ‘role The participants were drawn from Gender issues: A workshop was held model’. development projects and met each in Somaliland bringing together week in smaller groups to discuss organizations involved in supporting In their vision for Somalia the majority of children – issues related to HIV. Thirty women victims/survivors of gender-based almost 75% - were facilitators were trained in the violence. Participants shared positive that in future, the implementation of the initiative in information on services on offer and country will be a better Puntland. discussed how to establish efficient place to live in. Their referral procedures. confidence was founded on hopes of ‘good Advocacy: HIV regional working groups governance’ (37%); ‘less in Hiran, Middle Shabelle, Benadir and Training: Twenty-four national delinquency and Lower Jubba conducted advocacy protection advocates were trained in violence’ (25%); ‘better activities round the Youth-HIV AIDS Puntland. Twenty- education’ (24%); ‘better economic situation’ week. The activities were carried out in eight staff of organizations involved (22%); and ‘less poverty’ Belet Weyne, Mogadishu, Jowhar and in providing psychological care and (10%). Only 10% were Kismayo districts. Activities included counseling also not optimistic about the team sports competitions and athletics; received induction into various country’s future and issues related to the work of their expressed concern about debates and discussions, art the ‘worsening economic competitions, quizzes and street organizations. situation’ and ‘more processions. delinquency in society’. Advocacy: Communities in four IDP Advocacy: The video Somalis on HIV camps in Mogadishu and three other Said UNICEF Representative for and AIDS taking action, making a locations were sensitized on child Somalia, Christian difference was distributed in Hiran and protection issues. Special focus was Balslev-Olesen : We Galgadud regions as well as to 17 paid to the prevention of gender- have documented international and Local organizations. based violence. evidence of previously unheard voices of Somalia’s youngest citizens. Responsible adulthood begins by giving children the space to voice their opinions. We urge Somali parents, community leaders, authorities and the 5 international community to listen”. UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review 6

Communication for Somaliland counterparts on the UN development agenda for Somaliland. Development update… Marginalised get support: In an article in Child-to-child: A meeting was held in the Horn Tribune dated November 26, Somaliland to discuss the training of an article titled Breaking cast Barriers teachers as part of the child-to-child gave insights into UNICEF support for learning process. marginalized/minority clans in Hargeisa, Somaliland. The clans are now able to Training: 35 participants were given access social services such as the refresher training in the Participatory provision of water. Integrated Community Dialogue (PICD) development process. The process is a UNICEF initiative to enhance community If you have questions about the UNICEF Somalia dialogue to identify development Monthly Review please contact: priorities. Participants were drawn from Bossaso, Gardo, Iskushuban, Bender Denise Shepherd-Johnson, Communication Officer. Beyla, Rako and Waciye districts of E-mail: [email protected] Puntland. Also in attendance were representatives of the Puntland OR Robert Kihara, Assistant Communication Officer. administration and NGOs. In E-mail: [email protected] Central/Southern Somalia, UNICEF Tel: 254-2-7623958/ 7623950/7623862/ 7623959/ provided input into workshops on 350410. Fax: 254-2-520640/ 7623965 community dialogue attended by members of local authorities in Bay, Credit for majority of content in this report goes to Bakool and Gedo regions. UNICEF staff in Somalia.

Partnerships…

Repatriation: UNICEF provided humanitarian assistance to people repatriated to Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, arrangements were put in place to arrange the reception and reunification of minors with their parents.

UN-Somaliland talks: The UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia Eric Laroche, UNICEF Somalia Representative, Christian Balslev-Olesen and other senior UN staff met 13 Somaliland ministers in Hargeisa. The UN officials briefed the

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