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Monthly Food Security Report for Somalia Nov 2002

Attachments

FSAU REPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
FSAU is providing Household Economy Analysis (HEA) training in Hargeisa, Somaliland - aimed to enhance partner's use of vulnerability analysis for programme implementation. It is also hoped that the training will increase the use and application of FSAU information by working alongside FSAU partners based in the field. Training begins on December 14 and continues through to January 11 2003 when the final analysis and report writing will be undertaken. FSAU regrets that no more candidates can be taken for the training as the course was over subscribed, however, another course will be arranged later on in 2003. Over 50 participants from UN, local government, local and international NGOs are participating in the theory, and more than 30 of these will continue through into the field work and final analysis stages.

UN: WFP and FAO

NGOs: CARE, IRC, ICRC, CINS, SCUK, Handicap International, Oxfam, VETAID, FEWS NET

Local NGOs: SADO, ARDA

Government: Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Livestock, Ministry of Pastoral Development and Environment

The training is being generously supported by many of these international organisations who are participating, including CARE, WFP, EU, DRC, USAID, IRC, SADO, ARDA, ICRC.

For more details please contact Lesley. Adams@fsau.or.ke.

FOOD AID DISTRIBUTION

Somalia's two principal food aid agencies, CARE and Word Food Programme, continued their operations in November, providing much needed food to targeted beneficiaries through general distribution, food for work and feeding operations. In November, CARE distributed a total of 4,192 MT in Gedo of which 1, 472 MT was distributed in Belet Hawa, 471 MT in El Waq, 2,248 MT in Luuq districts. These were free food distributions. In the food for work section, the main activities were road rehabilitation and canal building. CARE distributed 66 MT in Hiran working with 972 beneficiaries and 100 MT in Middle Shabelle working with 270 beneficiaries.

In November WFP distributed 6 MT in Wajid district in Bakool. Further distribution in Bay and Bakol was hampered by logistical problems. 51 MT were distributed in Mogadishu, 105 MT in Galbeed, 15 MT in Togdheer, 184 MT in Sanag and 156 MT in Sool. All this was in the form of food for work mainly for rehabilitation and social support.

For further information on CARE's food aid operations, please contact : narayan@care.or.ke. For further information about WFP's activities, please contact : Lubna.alaman@wfp.org.

HIGHLIGHTS

AWDAL REGION: Awdal region of north west Somalia which shares a border with Ethiopia is already showing signs of being indirectly affected by reports of increasing food insecurity in Ethiopia. A higher than normal number of herders, many from Shinile, (an Ethiopian area close to Somalia's border) are reported to have crossed over into the coastal areas of Awdal increasing pressure on Awdal's rangeland resources. The Awdal economy is also struggling with the effects of the Ethiopian government's attempt to curb illegal cross border trade. This has been reflected in an increase in both livestock and milk prices in Awdal's major town - Borama. The increase in the price of milk is expected to be even greater in Hargeisa as much of the milk consumed in this town comes from Jijiga (An Ethiopian region bordering Somalia) and the border area. The situation in Awdal has been made worse by delayed Hais/Deyr rains. The FSAU nutrition surveillance team is currently undertaking an assessment in the area with representatives from the FSAU technical team and UNICEF also participating. For further information on North West and Awdal - see regional highlight on page 3. [see pdf link, below]

THE RISK OF SHABELLE AND JUBA RIVERS FLOODING LESSENS: Heavy rains have been reported throughout southern and central Somalia, especially in Hiran, Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle. However, the SACB Flood Working Group reports that there were no major breaches of the Shabelle and Juba rivers during November. The SACB Flood Working Group will continue to monitor the situation closely until it is clear that the risk of flooding has completely diminished.

DEYR RAINS BRING SOME RELIEF IN HIRAN, BAKOL AND GEDO: The poor Gu performance in Hiran, Bakol and Gedo regions, reported by FSAU in their recent Focus, has been alleviated to a degree - by a good Deyr rainfall season. Improved access to food and income sources are reported. The lower price of staple and higher wage rates are also benefiting the poorer groups especially in agro-pastoral and riverine food economy zones. For further information on the Deyr rainfall performance-see page 2. [see pdf link, below]

Highlights from the FSAU 'Nutrition Update'

Insecurity was responsible for a period when the activities of humanitarian organisations in Belet Weyne District, Hiran Region were disrupted. However, plans to implement a coordinated approach to the acute food insecurity are now almost complete. WFP has identified an implementing partner through which relief food will be distributed and the combined activities of IMC and UNICEF will ensure the delivery of targeted selective feeding interventions and a range of both curative and preventive health services. The duration of this intervention will depend on the outcome of the next harvest.

There have been repeated reports of food insecurity and malnutrition in Awdal Region, it is hoped that a rapid assessment will be undertaken there before the middle of December.

The December 'Nutrition Update' will include a report on some rapid nutrition assessments undertaken recently in the IDP camps of Kismayo. Early analysis of the results suggest that malnutrition rates among IDPs are likely to be high with reduced access to food, unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions and limited access to health services being of primary concern.

For copies of nutrition survey reports and further information related to nutrition, see the FSAU monthly publication 'Nutrition Update' or contact : noreen.prendiville@fsau. or.ke

(pdf* format, 217KB)