Protection Cluster

Protection Cluster Report

Reporting Period 01 – 31 July 2012

Somalia Protection Cluster

General Overview

On 03 July, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) signed an Action Plan in Rome, committing itself to end recruitment and use of children by the Somali National Armed Forces. The Action Plan outlines concrete steps that must be taken by the TFG in order to ensure a childfree national army including: a commitment to reintegrate all children released from the national army; criminalising the recruitment and use of children; and providing the UN unimpeded access to military installations for verification purposes. Until the Action Plan is fully complied with, Somalia will not be de-listed from the UN Secretary- General’s list of parties who recruit and use children. The security situation particularly in south and central regions of Somalia remained similar to last months Report. A significant amount of fighting between TFG forces backed by the AMISOM and allied militia such as Ras Kamboni and Al Shabaab took place resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. On 07 July, police in Laas Caanood arrested 50 people mostly from the southern regions of Somalia following an explosion at the residence of a local commander of the Somaliland forces that killed one person.1 On 09 July, one person was killed and two others injured following a blast in Baidoa, Bay region, after two youths hurled a hand grenade in the market where people bought and sold khat .2 Throughout July, a series of explosions occurred mostly in . On 16 July, a car bomb killed a lawmaker allied to President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and wounded a number of his bodyguards in . Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for that attack.3 On 26 July, an explosion occurred at the venue where the delegates approving the draft constitution were meeting. No casualties were reported. 4 On 28 July, three blasts occurred at Arwo-Idka Junction, Dabka Junction, and the former Al-Shabaab court in Bakara market. 5 Journalists and entertainers remain targets in Mogadishu. On 03 July, TV actor, comedian and producer working for Universal TV was killed by unidentified gunmen as he was about to enter his home in . 6 The deceased wrote and performed popular television dramas that criticized both the TFG and militia including Al Shabaab. Another journalist working for Universal TV narrowly survived an attack in Mogadishu on 07 July.7 On 06 July, a journalist working for Radio Bar Kulan was injured in Hamar Jajab district after being shot at.8 On 04 July, Al Shabaab beheaded a religious scholar in Ceel Buur district, region. Six days later, in the same district, Al Shabaab arrested 70 people including businessmen for refusing to pay taxes. Al Shabaab publicly executed five of its own members for allegedly killing and spying.9 The five included two members accused of guiding U.S. missiles to kill fellow militants. Protection Monitoring Network (PMN) recorded 200 incidences involving 437 victims. The most frequently reported violations by region occurred in south central (180 victims)

1 Radio Bar-Kulan website, Nairobi, in English 0000 gmt July 8, 2012 2 Midnimo.com website in Somali July 10, 2012 3 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/16/us-somalia-conflict-idUSBRE86F0F420120716 4 Midnimo.com website in Somali July 27, 2012 5 Shabeelle Media Network website, Mogadishu, in Somali July 29, 2012 6 Shabeelle Media Network website, Mogadishu, in Somali July 31, 2012 7 http://www.cpj.org/africa/somalia/2012/ 8 NUSOJ website, in English July 8, 2012 9 http://af.reuters.com/article/kenyaNews/idAFL6E8IM34V20120722.

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Somalia Protection Cluster followed by Somaliland (133 victims) and Puntland (124 victims). It is important to note that there can be more than one violation per incident. Top violations reported in month of July are physical assault/attack not resulting in death (136 victims) and illegal arrest and detention (96 victims), most of which happened in south and central regions. Population Movement Tracking (PMT) network recorded roughly 11,000 movements during the reporting period mostly in south and central Somalia.

Snapshot of Protection Concerns

A function of the Protection Cluster is to raise awareness of protection issues that either remain of concern or recently have come to light. The “snapshot” for July represents concerns that may not necessarily have occurred in July, but have been brought to the Cluster’s attention, and therefore, efforts should be made to try and address those concerns. Finding and implementing protection solutions in Somalia is complex and not easily done. A first step in finding a solution, however, is to make Members and the wider humanitarian community aware that a problem exists so that engagement can begin.

Update In June’s Report, it was reported that the Somaliland authorities prevented 12 children from being smuggled and/or trafficked. The twelve girls aged between 10 and 15 and who are from Bay region were safely returned to Mogadishu and then to their families following successful coordination efforts between the Hargeisa and Mogadishu Protection Clusters, the Mixed Migration Task Force in Hargeisa, and relevant governmental authorities.

South Central Zone • Children associated with armed forces and groups remain a significant protection concern in south and central regions. The Cluster received unconfirmed reports of continued arrests and detentions of children/youth allegedly associated with Al Shabaab in areas recently taken over by TFG / AMISOM forces. The TFG seems to be reluctant to release the children, and reports suggest that while in detention they are not treated well. Reports are also being received that Al Shabaab continues to recruit youth in Galguduud region, an area recaptured from ASWJ early this year. • The majority of separated children and unaccompanied minors registered by Protection Cluster members were boys. Additionally, more boys were on transit routes in region and were separated from their families than girls. A member who runs a transition centre for unaccompanied minors in Dhobley stated that most of the children in that centre came from Dinsoor and regions. • GBV is allegedly occurring by TFG, AMISOM (specifically Kenyan Defence Forces) and Raskamboni forces.

Puntland • Cluster members in Galkayo continue to report an increase of GBV incidences possibly due to the deteriorating security situation as a result of piracy no longer being as lucrative as in the past. Members noted that many of the GBV incidences reported occurred in the IDP settlements that host minority clans. The reported incidences include two 16-year-old girls from Tawakal IDP settlement who conceived after being raped at gunpoint in November 2011 and March 2012 respectively. Members reported that the survivors often do not report GBV cases due to fear of reprisals, as perpetrators often enjoy clan protection. For example, although a perpetrator was

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Somalia Protection Cluster

apprehended and disarmed, he escaped and later mobilized his clan to return to the settlement to recover the weapon that had been taken from him.

Protection Cluster Response Highlights 10

Service Provision (CAP Indicator 1) • 35,067 children attended child and youth friendly spaces in 104 centres in Banadir, Bari, , Hiraan, Lower and Middle Juba, and Nugaal regions. The services offered at the centres include psychosocial support, recreation, basic literacy, and numeracy. • 1192 children were referred for various services according to their needs which included medical, nutrition, psychosocial support, corrective surgery and special education in Banadir, Bari, Gedo, Hiraan, Lower Juba, Mugud, Nugaal, Sanaag, and Woqoyi Galbeed regions. • 10,030 females in North and South Galkayo received reusable sanitary kits. Each received a kit containing 2 pants, 6 pads, one petticoat and three bars of soap. The production of sanitary kits created employment to 70 girls in Galkayo.

Capacity Building (CAP Indicator 2) • 348 people benefited from capacity building activities on psychosocial support, child protection, GBV, Inter-Agency Child Protection database/information monitoring system, inclusive education and health care, infant disability prevention, detection and referral. Participants included child welfare committees, community mobilisers, child protection committees, primary school teachers, and medical staff. • 24 participants including 16 district focal points of GBV WG members were trained on Focus Group Discussion (FGD) tools. FGDs are being rolled out in 16 Mogadishu districts and Afgooye with the aim to identify existing GBV prevention mechanisms and how to establish additional prevention mechanisms. The outcome will form the basis for a prevention strategy by the Mogadishu GBV WG. • Technical support was provided to 10 GBVIMS partners. Agreement on a final Information Sharing Protocol was reached with twelve organisations working in Banadir, and Middle and on the GBV data they collect through GBVIMS. The Protocol intends to increase the commitment of GBVIMS partners to use the system consistently. The Protocol sets out guiding principles and describes procedures for sharing and consolidating anonymous monthly GBV data. Additional GBVIMS technical support sessions were held for 51 caseworkers and 8 data managers. • The Child Protection Working Group members in Dollow participated in training on coordination.

Advocacy / Awareness Raising (CAP Indicator 3) • Three IDP communities in Dhobley and Diff were mobilized on the risks associated with separated children and unaccompanied minors. Children Welfare and foster parents for the separated and unaccompanied minors committees were formed to work with closely on matters related to child protection.

10 NB: Much of the data presented under this section can be disaggregated by sex. Should this information be required, please contact the Protection Cluster

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Somalia Protection Cluster

• 44 people participated in sessions on child protection issues in Bossaso. Participants included local authorities, religious leaders, teachers, nurses, parents, community watch groups, IDP camp leaders and children. • 288 females and 205 males including religious leaders, health workers and FGM practitioners participated in anti-FGM sessions. Two girls at risk of FGM were rescued following advocacy by the communities. • 1066 girls and boys in the border regions of Somaliland and Puntland participated in mine risk awareness sessions. Additional 1493 people participated in awareness rising activities on child protection and mine risks. • 5,200 households from 34 IDP camps were selected to receive a fuel efficient stove.

Family Tracing and Reunification • 219 girls and 300 boys were registered as separated children and unaccompanied minors and who are looking for their missing family members during the reporting period. Additional 699 people over 18 years were registered in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Dollow, Dhobley and Galkayo. 7 female and 6 male separated and unaccompanied minors were joined with extended families. 174 names of missing people were aired by Star FM radio in Mogadishu and Dollow. At least 35 cases were handled via clan tracing, and 7 were closed positively. • INTERSOS has 5 active Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) field offices in Mogadishu, Dollow, Dhobley, Baidoa and Galkayo.

Protection through Livelihoods • UNHCR, through a local partner, distributed 1,232 goats to 308 IDP households in Guriel and Dhusamareeb, Galgaduud region. • 80 people above 18 years participated in vocational skills training in Bossaso.

Assessments & Coordination

Assessments With the support of UNHCR, INTERSOS, FENPS, WOCCA, MURDO, SSDO and KASHIF conducted a rapid assessment in the Afgooye Corridor using the Protection Cluster Rapid Assessment Tool. The objective of the assessment was to determine key protection concerns, investigate accessibility and security issues, and provide recommendations. The assessment teams visited four IDP settlements. Protection concerns highlighted include high risk of GBV at nighttime and during collection of water and firewood; lack of education and vocational activities for boys; lack of livelihood opportunities to sustain basic needs, and loss of dignity (see: http://unocha.org/somalia/coordination/clusters/protection ). A child protection assessment was conducted in three IDP settlements in Bossaso and one in Garowe. The data will be analysed and used as baseline survey for child protection.

Coordination Monthly meetings of the Protection Cluster and Working Groups were held in Nairobi and Somalia. The first Protection Sub Cluster meetings were held in Guriel and Cabudwak

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Somalia Protection Cluster districts during the reporting period. The meetings brought together all stakeholders involved in protection related activities in those locations. UNHCR is the chair of the Sub Clusters supported by Intersomaid and DRC in Guriel and Cabudwaq respectively. The CPWG in Mogadishu prepared a Contingency Plan in case of another emergency. Drawing from experiences from the 2011 famine, the CPWG looked at what services are available now and in event of an emergency. Cluster members in North Galkayo participated in an IDP leadership restructuring process in 10 IDP settlements. A meeting was held with 4 IDP settlement committee leaders in Galkayo to discuss protection concerns and information sharing. ToRs for the IDP settlements focal point system in Hargeisa were drafted. The system is intended to cover Hargeisa, Awdal, Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag.

New link for the Protection Cluster Website The Protection Cluster website is accessible at: www.unocha.org/somalia/coordination/clusters/protection

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