Eritrea is considered one of the most repressive countries in the world; Freedom House, in its annual ranking of countries based on democratic freedom, considers Eritrea “one of the worst of the worst”. Since gaining independence from Ethiopia twenty years ago, the destitute and politically isolated country is often accused by international human rights groups of unlawful executions, tor-ture, and citizen detention.

Operation Highlights

Somalia is the country generating the third highest number of refugees in the world, after Afghanistan and Iraq. UNHCR leads protection and emergency relief interventions targeting 700,000 IDPs out of a total IDP population estimated at 1.1 million and over 2,300 refugees in Somalia.

Food security levels are generally better than a year earlier in East Africa and the Sahel, with most areas facing either IPC phase 1 ‘minimal’ or phase 2 ‘stressed’ conditions, thanks to favorable agro-climatic conditions in 2012.

EARLY WARNING AND RESPONSE SUMMARY

• As per the NMA forecast during the upcoming month, the strength of rain producing systems will continue in a similar manner. As a result, better rainfall amount and distribution is anticipated over most parts of the southern half of the country.

• Farmers are advised to exploit the expected good opportunity and continue the ongoing agricultural activities appropriately in the areas where normal to above normal rainfall is expected (SNNPR, western and southern Oromiya).

Somalia’s main rainy season (Gu) began in mid March. While bringing relief to dry conditions, the intense rains have led to flooding, crop damage and displacements. Flash floods were reported in Baidoa and Jowhar and strong rains in the Ethiopian highlands led to increased water levels along the Juba and Shabelle rivers. River embankment openings and breakages have led to localized flooding. The most affected areas include parts of Middle and Lower Shabelle and Bay region.

Contextual Background

Pattern in Population Change

Organized large-scale relocation from the Transit Centre began on 05 August 2011 and completed early September 2011, during which time Hilaweyn Camp has grown rapidly

Areas of Origin

50% are from Gedo, 31% are from Bay, 16% are from Bakol, remaining are from various other locations in Somalia.

Cultural Background

Sunni Muslim

Contextual Background

Pattern in Population Change

Organized large-scale relocation from the Transit Centre began on 24 June 2011 and ended 16 July 2011, during which time the Camp has grown rapidly.

Areas of Origin

53% of residents are from Bay, 30% are from Gedo, 13% are from Bakol, remaining are from various areas in Somalia.

Cultural Background

Sunni Muslim Majority (80%) are May May speakers from Rahanweyn clan, 12% are Mahatiri speakers from Maheren clan and the remaining are from various other Somali clans.

Main Occupations

GENEVA (14 May 2013) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea, Sheila B. Keetharuth, today called on the international community to keep Eritrea under close scrutiny until meaningful change is evident in the country.

Situation Update