Gedo Region – Situation Analysis Context Gedo Region, the second largest region in Somalia, lies on the Somalia borders with Ethiopia and Kenya, and shares borders with four Somali regions of Bay, Bakool and Middle Jubba and Lower Jubba. It has an estimated total population of 328,3781, with a 75/25 rural/urban divide.The region is home to 76,510 IDPs2. UNHCR estimates that 16,380 IDPs arrived in Luuq, 30,000 in Doloow, and approximately 18,000 in Belet Xaawo. Gedo has six administrative districts: Garbaharey, Baardheere (the capital), Ceel Waaq in the south and Belet Xaawo, Doloow, and Luuq in the north. Two major rivers run through the region, the Dawa and the Juba. The Dawa River runs along the border of Ethiopia into Somalia’s Gedo region. The Jubba River starts from Doloow, just north of Luuq district, and flows to Buur Dhuubo and Baardheere. The economy mostly depends on rearing livestock and farming, but also has strong inter-regional and international cross-border trade with Kenya and Ethiopia, to some extent. In the northern zone the pastoralists rear sheep, goats, camels and cows. The agro-pastoral zone extends from east to west below Guban. The riverine zone extends from east to west below West Golis and is mainly a farming area where crops such as sorghum are produced. The security and access situation in north Gedo, in particular to Luuq, has relatively improved for the United Nations and International NGOs. The area is controlled by the Somali National Army forces backed by Ethiopian forces. South Gedo is more insecure due to continued clashes and greater access for Al-Shabaab (AS) in the rural areas of Garbaharey, Buur Dhuubo and Baardheere. Local NGOs have more access to areas in the north and south of Gedo. Humanitarian Needs Food Security: According to FSNAU, there are 50,000 people in crisis while 100,000 more are stressed. The agro-pastoralists of Gedo region face a challenging situation due to below average Gu rains. Cricket infestations in Gedo contributed to a near failure of the harvest. The IDPs in the region also continue to require food assistance. Nutrition: The nutrition situation among IDPs in Gedo is worsening (FSNAU survey, July 2012). Food security partners reported an improvement in the nutrition status since the last Dyer assessment, but malnutrition remains at critical levels in Gedo. WASH: Pastoral and agro-pastoral areas require WASH interventions as a result of below average Gu rains. As a result, the price of water increased by 18 per cent from June 2011 to June 2012. Health: Gedo region requires referral hospitals and qualified medical staff, both of which are currently insufficient to meet the demand of the influx of IDPs from Bay, Bakool and Bardera. A tri-cluster approach covering health, nutrition and WASH needs to be established. 1 UNDP 2005 2 UNHCR Total IDPs by Region January – 2012 1 Shelter: Shelter and non-food items are a high priority for IDPs in the Gedo region, as they live in makeshift shelters - buuls. While these conditions are not critical in the dry season, the coming rains leave many IDPs vulnerable. Protection: Protection needs in Gedo are increasing as on-going insecurity continues in Bardera and Garbahareey districts. Issues of protection include the recruitment of child soldiers and forced recruitment of young people, resulting in limiting the movement of men. Gender-based violence (GBV) such as rape and female genital mutilation (FGM) continues to be a problem and requires monitoring. There is a limited coping mechanism among IDPs to meet their livelihood needs. Education: Education is a major gap as UNICEF funding ended, resulting in the closure of schools for both IDPs and the host community. Response & Gaps Food Security: The Food Security cluster reached 74,261 people, 77.3 per cent of the target of 96,000 people, received interventions focused on improving access to food and safety nets in September 2012. The cluster continues to provide support. Nutrition: The Nutrition cluster reached a cumulative of 71,435 of the targeted 20,914 beneficiaries in the period between January and September for acute malnourished children between 6-59 months, and 740,456 of the targeted 765,600 children between 6-59 months, as well as pregnant and lactating women with preventative food-based interventions. WASH: A cumulative of a total of 170,550 beneficiaries were provided sustained access to water by the WASH cluster from January to September, a 116.8 per cent of the end-year target of 146,032, while 158,005 received a temporary supply of safe water from January to September. There are still gaps remaining for access to drinking water and sanitation among IDPs, pastoral and agro- pastoral communities. Health: The Health cluster reached 35,385 people with primary and/or basic secondary healthcare services between January and September 2012, 31.5 per cent of the re-worked numbers and indicators in August of 112,242 people. While 92,154 children under 5 and women of child-bearing age were vaccinated. The region does not have a referral hospital. Shelter/NFI: Between January and September 2012, 28,920 beneficiaries, or 62 per cent of the targeted 46,618, received Emergency Assistance Packages. There is a significant need for shelter IDP settlements across the region. Protection: In the period of January to September, the Protection cluster reached a cumulative 60,269 people at heightened risk of protection violations, providing access to preventive and/or responsive protection services. This included documenting protection violations, accessing preventive and/or responsive protection services including referral for gender-based violence, training and capacity building, child friendly spaces and monitoring. The end-of-year target at the beginning of the year was 12,757 people. Education: The Education cluster reached a cumulative of 28,556 students and 1,082 teachers, who received support in the period from January to September, 94 per cent and 108 per cent of the targeted 30,392 and 1,000 end-of year target respectively. However, there are still gaps in education needs in different locations, especially with continuous population movement within the region, as well as from the neighbouring regions of Bay and Bakool. 2 Likely Developments There is a possibility of conflict in southern areas and the neighbouring regions of middle and Lower Jubba as SFG forces and AMISOM continue its offensives to regain control areas from Al-Shabaab. While this may temporarily restrict humanitarian access, it will eventually be improved. Conflict and poor Gu rains season-harvest may lead to further population displacement to more secure areas such as Dolow, Luuq, and across the border to Ethiopia to seek assistance. Enhanced assistance in return areas and at the places of displacement may discourage new population movements and encourage returns. Key Operational Partners: Food Security: Solidarities, SADO, ASEP, DAN/ADRA, NAPAD, IDF, COOPI, ADA, NCA, ADESO, SomaAction, WFP, FAO, Direct Aid and CEDA. Nutrition: UNICEF, WFP, CAFDARO, SRDA, HIRDA, AMA, CEDA, HARD and COSV. WASH: UNICEF, Solidarities, SDRO, World Vision, Lifeline Gedo, ASEP, SADO, DFI, DAN/ADRA and NCA. Health: WHO, Trocaire, HIRDA, Direct Aid, HARD and COSV, World Vision, SRCS. Shelter: NCA, UNHCR, ASEP, GEWDO, and CEDA. Protection: NCA, DF, SEDHURO, UNHCR, IDF, World Vision, INTERSOS Education: UNICEF, NCA, NAPAD, SADO, HIRDO, and CERID. Sources: 1. UNDP 2005 Figures 2. UNHCR Total IDPs by Region January – 2012 3. Cluster 3W matrix data for Gedo region (UNOCHA) 4. Overall SRF April – 2012 (OCHA) For feedback, clarification or comments please contact: David Lubari [email protected] +252618960008 Mohamoud Burale, [email protected] +252 (06) 1839 1313 3 .