Contextual Background

Pattern in Population Change

Organized large-scale relocation from the Transit Centre began in November 2011

Areas of Origin

46% are from Gedo, 35% are from Bay, 15% are from Bakol, remaining are from various other locations in Somalia.

Cultural Background

Sunni Muslim

64% are May May speakers from Rahanweyn clan, 22% are Mahatiri speakers from Maheren clan and the remaining are from various other Somali clans.

Main Occupations

HIGHLIGHTS

• New study shows that over a quarter of a million people died from food insecurity and famine between late 2010 and early 2012 and underlines the need to heed early warnings.

• Seasonal rains bring relief, but localized flooding displaces 50,000 people and kills seven.

• Somalis return home from neighbouring countries albeit at slow pace. About 16,000 people have returned from Kenya in 2013.

Situation Update

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

· Although the recent good performance of seasonal rainfall has enhanced water and pasture availability in most drought-prone areas of Ethiopia, populations in some belg-producing parts of eastern Ethiopia will likely continue to experience Crisis—Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) 3—level food insecurity through June due to delayed and poorly distributed February-to-May 2013 belg rains and resulting planting disruptions.

“Somalia is in a critical phase. Norway aims to support that the progress made so far is not reversed. That is why we are increasing our development assistance by NOK 150 million and strengthening our cooperation with the Government of Somalia,” said Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås.

Mr Holmås is today taking part in the international Somalia Conference 2013 in London. The conference is co-hosted by President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

May 7, 2013

LONDON, U.K. — Somalis and Somali refugees will receive lifesaving humanitarian assistance from Canada, announced Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, while participating in the Conference on Somalia today in London, United Kingdom.

"Canada is lending a helping hand to address the immediate needs of the most vulnerable people in Somalia, as well as of Somali refugees in Kenya," said Mr. Opitz. "Canadian values of compassion and concern for those facing acute malnutrition and displacement are expressed in this urgent assistance."

05/07/2013 09:36 GMT

MOGADISHU, May 07, 2013 (AFP) - An international conference is being held in London on Tuesday aimed at boosting political stability in Somalia and preventing the troubled Horn of Africa nation from slipping back into abject lawlessness.

Following is a timeline of developments over the past two decades in the civil-war ravaged country:

1991: President Mohamed Siad Barre, in power since 1969, is deposed by rebels and flees the country. Civil war breaks out later that year.

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Mon, 6 May 2013 10:39 AM
Author: Katy Migiro

NAIROBI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Aid workers are wary of being co-opted into a Western political agenda in Somalia, even though experts say supporting the new government in Mogadishu could be the best way to improve security and prevent another famine.

Read the full article on AlertNet

This report covers the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012

Overview