Attachments
NOTE: The last fact sheet was dated April 13, 2007.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- Nearly 365,000 people fled Mogadishu due to fighting between February 1 and April 27, according to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The increase from 213,000 as of April 13 represents both the continued outflow from Mogadishu, as well as improved surveillance in Mudug and Galgadud regions north of Mogadishu, according to humanitarian organizations operating in the area. While insecurity and limited access continue to hamper response efforts, relief agencies are providing emergency relief commodities to vulnerable populations in Lower Shabelle, Lower Juba, Galgadud, and Mudug regions.
- On April 19, the U.N. released a revised 2007 Consolidated Appeal (CAP) for Somalia. The updated CAP reflects the improved food security and livelihood conditions following the successful short rains season in October-December 2006. However, floods and conflict have resulted in the need for infrastructure rehabilitation, early recovery, disaster prevention, and livelihoods interventions. The appeal seeks $262 million for 146 projects to benefit approximately 1 million Somalis in need of assistance.
HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE (FY 2006 AND FY 2007)
USAID/OFDA Assistance to Somalia: $17,160,559
USAID/FFP(1) Assistance to Somalia: $96,794,000
State/PRM(2) Assistance to Somalia: $4,520,000
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Somalia: $118,474,559
CURRENT SITUATION
Health
- The U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 16,579 cases of acute watery diarrhea (AWD), including 593 deaths, in southern and central Somalia from January 1 to April 7. As of April 7, up to one-third of the total cases were reported from Banadir Region, where insecurity has damaged water and sanitation facilities and hampered relief efforts.
- In response to high case fatality rates of nearly 7.8 percent in Baidoa town, Bay Region, and 5.0 percent in Wajid town, Bakool Region, USAID-funded WHO worked with U.N. agencies and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Ministry of Health to chlorinate major water sources, provide hygiene and water quality training, and deliver AWD treatment supplies in both areas.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing clean water, rehydration salts, and relief commodities to displaced individuals in Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, and Galgadud regions, as well as medical supplies to hospitals in Mogadishu.
Population Movements
- Relief organizations in Galgadud, Lower Shabelle, and Middle Shabelle regions report the highest cumulative number of internally displaced persons from Mogadishu, followed by Mudug, Bay, and Hiran regions. In addition to population movements out of the capital, USAID regional staff based in Nairobi have also received unconfirmed reports of additional displacement within Mogadishu.
- Following an assessment that identified 26,000 displaced families from Mogadishu in 56 locations in Galgadud and Mudug regions, USAID partner CARE is preparing approximately 1,500 metric tons (MT) of food aid to be distributed to the 10,000 most vulnerable households in the area. CARE also began distributing emergency relief supplies to 2,700 families near Marka, Lower Shabelle Region, on April 19.
- On April 23, USG-supported UNHCR began distributing 28 tons of relief commodities, including plastic sheeting, blankets, kitchen sets, and water containers, to individuals temporarily settled in and around Afgoye, Lower Shabelle Region.
- UNHCR and local non-governmental organizations are providing emergency relief supplies and medical supplies to approximately 4,000 displaced people in Dhoblei, near the Kenya border in Lower Juba Region.
Humanitarian Access
- On April 23, U.N. officials met with TFG representatives in Baidoa to discuss restrictions on humanitarian relief efforts throughout southern and central Somalia. Recent TFG regulations regarding humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected populations had temporarily blocked access to stockpiled supplies, displaced populations, and host communities. According to the U.N. World Food Program (WFP), the TFG has granted humanitarian access to all airstrips in southern and central regions and approved WFP food distributions to conflict-affected communities.
- USAID regional advisors based in Nairobi continue to monitor humanitarian access and coordinate relief efforts with U.N. agencies and partner organizations in Somalia.
MAP - USG Humanitarian Programs in Somalia (as of 27 Apr 2007)
Notes:
(1) USAID's Office of Food for Peace
(2) U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration