Attachments
NOTE: The last fact sheet was dated May 25, 2007.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) reported the approval of $3 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to offset the cost of air transportation for humanitarian staff and cargo in Somalia through the U.N. Common Air Service for three months. CERF funding will also be used to rehabilitate the Wajid airstrip in Bakool Region, which serves as an essential platform for humanitarian assistance in central and southern Somalia.
| NUMBERS AT A GLANCE | SOURCE | |
| Newly Displaced(1) | 316,000 | OCHA/UNHCR(2) - June 2007 |
| Additional Population in Need of Assistance | 600,000 | U.N. Somalia CAP(3) - April 2007 |
| Somali Refugees(4) | 300,000 | State/PRM(5) - May 2007 |
USAID/OFDA Assistance to Somalia: $20,552,806
USAID/FFP(6) Assistance to Somalia: $107,125,700
USAID/OTI(7) Assistance to Somalia: $1,000,000
State/PRM Assistance to Somalia: $6,970,000
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Somalia: $135, 648,506
CURRENT SITUATION
Humanitarian Access
Insecurity, rainfall, roadblocks, banditry, marine piracy, and inter-clan fighting continue to hinder humanitarian access to displaced populations and conflict-affected communities in central and southern Somalia. Despite improved road access in many areas, localized flooding has disrupted ground transport in Middle Juba and Lower Juba regions. WFP also reports intermittent closures of Kismayo port and Bu'aale, Gaalkacyo, and Belet Weyne airstrips due to insecurity.
USAID regional staff based in Nairobi continue to coordinate with implementing partners and U.N agencies to monitor humanitarian access and facilitate the transport and distribution of essential emergency relief assistance. Population Movements
UNHCR reports that 82,000 of an estimated 398,000 people displaced during heavy fighting in Mogadishu have returned to the capital in recent weeks. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expects the number could be significantly higher, likely ranging between 100,000 and 200,000 returnees with the majority of recent returns coming from neighboring Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle regions. However, three-quarters of new internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain concentrated in Bay, Galgadud, Mudug, and Hiran regions, and UNHCR reports indicate that increased tension in the capital may be prompting renewed movement out of Mogadishu. Within Mogadishu, populations confront ongoing insecurity, loss of livelihoods, and inadequate access to essential services, including health, education, and water, sanitation and hygiene.
Despite challenges, U.N. agencies and non-governmental organization partners have provided emergency assistance, such as food, shelter, emergency relief commodities, and health services to more than 365,000 IDPs displaced since February 1, according to OCHA.
MAP: USG Humanitarian Programs in Somalia (as of 8 Jun 2007)
Notes:
(1) Figures for new displacement since February 1 do not reflect long-term displaced populations countrywide.
(2) Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
(3) Revised Consolidated Appeal for Somalia for 2007
(4) Most Somali refugees are located in Kenya, Yemen, or Ethiopia.
(5) U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
(6) USAID's Office of Food for Peace
(7) USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives