This update provides information on the protection environment in Somalia, including apparent violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as reported during the last two weeks through the IASC Somalia Protection Cluster monitoring systems. Incidents mentioned in this report are not exhaustive. They are intended to highlight credible reports in order to inform and prompt programming and advocacy initiatives by the humanitarian community and national authorities.
General Overview
In the month of August, the influx of IDPs into Mogadishu sharply declined, with the Population Movement Tracking (PMT) recording just over 190 displacements per day into the capital in comparison to some 1,000 per day in July. Reasons behind the drop in the number of people arriving in Mogadishu include fear of insecurity due to possible retaliation by Al Shabaab in the capital, increased aid reaching populations in Bay, Gedo, Bakool and Hiraan regions allowing for people to remain in their home regions, and fear of advancing TFG/AMISOM forces in areas recently vacated by Al Shabab..
Movement restrictions imposed by Al Shabaab especially in Lower Shabelle is another reason explaining the decline in the number of arrivals into Mogadishu. On 13th August the TFG President imposed a state of emergency on all areas vacated by the AS fighters. According to TFG a significant number of IEDs remain in Al Shabaab controlled areas and pose a threat to civilians.
Although greater humanitarian access has been achieved in last two weeks throughout South Central Somalia, displaced people seeking humanitarian aid continue to face insecurity while accessing humanitarian assistance in many regions, in both the TFG and Al Shabaab controlled regions. In the reporting period incidents of looting and violence in IDP camps and other food distribution sites have been reported in higher numbers. In Mogadishu, numerous incidents have been reported of armed groups attacking food distribution sites, which have lead to many civilian casualties.1
Following the withdrawal of Al Shabaab from Mogadishu, the Puntland administration has began a policy of forcefully returning male IDPs arriving at Puntland border checkpoints from South Central Somalia. The forceful returns have at times resulted in the separation of families, as men are arrested and deported to South Central. Women, children and the elderly who are forcefully separated from their primary caregivers often face a precarious future as they continue their journey in Puntland without primary protection.