Humanitarian situation in Somalia: Monthly analysis, Jul 2007

This report was written in cooperation with the cluster leads for Somalia

HIGHLIGHTS

According to the 2007 post Gu Assessment conducted by FAO/FSAU and FEWSNET, the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions of South Central Somalia are in a state of Humanitarian emergency. The civil insecurity leading to lack of access to markets following closure of operations at the Mogadishu main seaport and the Bakara market, crop failure as well as increase in cereal prices contributed to such dire situation. While the Shabelles are normally the most agriculturally productive regions, they are currently home to half (51%) of the population in need of assistance.

The analysis shows that the Gu rains largely failed hence making the harvest throughout South Central regions the lowest in the post war period (1995 - 2006). The regions of Gedo, Bakol and Bay had almost total crop failure. This means that some 1.5 million Somalis are in need of assistance, including around 490,000 people experiencing Acute Livelihood Crises, about 295,000 in Humanitarian Emergency phase (most of them in the Shabelle regions), an estimated 325,000 new IDPs (since April 2007) and some 400,000 protracted IDPs.

Increased violence and insecurity attributed to the Ethiopian/TFG forces and anti-government elements affected Mogadishu during the month of July. An estimated 55 civilian casualties were reported in the media as a result of the violence and provoked the largest outflow from the city since the major hostilities in February and March. According to UNHCR, some 25,000 people fled the city during the month and the movement of voluntary return to the city reported in May and June was suspended. The growing insecurity has considerably limited the movement of civilians and severely impacted on their livelihood, making it challenging for them to get sufficient amount of food every day. Restrictions of movements due to sporadic closure of districts during the day for security operations and the night curfew introduced on 22 June prevent civilians in need of urgent medical care to reach health facilities since no mechanisms are in place to allow them to do so, potentially leading to further loss of lives.

The insecurity and the multiplication of checkpoints also affected humanitarian organizations in and around Mogadishu and, more generally, in South Central Somalia, with staff unable to access the communities in need and trucks with assistance held at checkpoints. During July, about 238 checkpoints were reported all over South Central with most of them imposing taxation on humanitarian commodities and provoking considerable delays. Humanitarian workers were also targetted in various security incidences throughout the country. In Puntland, the deterioration of security and kidnapping threats led to the relocation of some international staff working in the area. There were reported ambushes, attack on working premises, and threat letters of kidnap.

On 1 August, an UN interagency mission led by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) visited IDPs along the road from Afgoye to Mogadishu, where some 38,000 people in dire need of basic services live in some 22 settlements. The primary reason given by IDPs for leaving Mogadishu was insecurity due to indiscriminate shelling and arbitrary arrests and detention. Most IDPs have arrived between March and April 2007, however, many people are still arriving daily from Mogadishu and this flow, straining the already stretched social services, is expected to continue due to the persistent insecurity. Following the visit, WFP commenced a food distribution to about 28,000 people. More assistance is planned for in coming days.

Despite the challenges encountered during the month, WFP, CARE and ICRC distributed food aid to an estimated 700,000 beneficiaries across South Central Somalia through relief, social support, selective feeding and school feeding programmes. The construction and rehabilitation of schools through the country continue, sometimes bridging the path to clan reconciliation through Peace schools.

Meanwhile, the 2008 Humanitarian Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) field consultations are scheduled in Baidoa (South Central), Garowe (Puntland) and Hargeisa (Somaliland) in the coming weeks. These consultations, together with the findings of the Post-Gu survey, will all feed into a final CAP workshop in Nairobi on 3-4 September. Meanwhile, the 2007 Somalia CAP (as of 13 August) is around 47.7% covered, with over US$128 million received out of the requested US$ 269 million.