Somalia: Situation Report - 05 Oct 2007

Main Developments

During the week, a serious fire broke out at the Bakara market, the main trading centre for the South Central region of Somalia, which will have a decidedly negative impact on economic activities of the country. The market was forced to close earlier this year due to the widespread conflict in the capitol, with negative consequences on trade and prices. Somali citizens are already reeling from basic food cost increases due to increased transport expenses (linked to checkpoints and ad hoc 'taxes') and spiraling inflation. Many casual laborers at the market have lost their only source of income and reduced food supplies to the rest of the country will increase demand hence weakening the purchasing power of the already stretched communities.

Meanwhile, persistent insecurity in Mogadishu continues to restrict movement for residents. For example, the area surrounding the market was sealed by the TFG following the fire to prevent looting. Neighborhoods are frequently sealed by the authorities during searches for weapons, preventing people from leaving their homes and earning a living. Many Mogadishu residents who have not fled the city have moved from the northern part of the city to join family members in the relative calm of South Mogadishu, burdening already impoverished families.

According to media reports, the TFG this week announced that it would deploy more soldiers in the city, intensifying arms search in an effort to restore peace and order. Targeting killing of government officials and police continued in the capital unabated, with a district commissioner assassinated three road-side bombs and four hand grenade attacks on police during the week, with civilians caught in the crossfire. In Mogadishu's Madina hospital, records indicate that in August and September, 305 people were admitted with wounds caused by gunshots or shelling. One journalist held in prison for one week in Beletweyne was released and Radio Shabelle finally went back on air on 2 October after 15 days of closure following being strafed by gunfire from government troops.

In Puntland and Somaliland's disputed border regions of Sool and Sanag, tension remained high during the week following mortar attacks and clashes between troops of the two self-declared states. So far, field reports indicate population movements are not significant, with some IDPs having arrived in Garowe. Additionally, an international NGO visited the area hospital and confirmed a limited number of wounded, mostly military, as a result of the clashes. The Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator (HC/RC) jointly with the Coordination of International Support to Somalia (CISS) sent out a public statement last week deploring the increasing tensions in the area. The presidents of the two regions were also asked to observe restraint to avert further conflict leading to human suffering.

A survey conducted by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported the presence of two types of locusts in the northeastern regions of Somaliland and Puntland. The report says some of the swarms that passed through Puntland in June from Yemen bred and some are highly mobile. Two experts from Rome and Cairo will be sent to the two regions to carry out some spot control to prevent swarms from further spreading. FAO has also prepared a one-page flier (both in English and Somali) indicating how to identify and report Desert Locusts.

Returns and Displacements

Since the beginning of September, reports indicate that nearly 24,000 people have fled ongoing insecurity, sporadic violence, and looting in Mogadishu. Since June, 77,000 people have moved to other districts in Mogadishu, neighboring regions of Shabelles, Galgadud, Mudug and Sool in Puntland. In addition, the Population Movement Tracking (PMT) project reports reverse movement of nearly 780 IDPs returning to Mogadishu during September from Galgaduud and Mudug regions. Nearly 7,200 IDPs have been evicted from their homes in government and public buildings since June.

Additional reports from PMT partners say residents of Yaaqshiid district in Mogadishu were ordered to move out of their houses by TFG forces, on suspicion that they were supporting insurgents. The TFG forces fired indiscriminately at the residents, most of who were forced to leave behind their belongings as they moved out. Several houses were reportedly looted by the TFG police.

Access and Response

Moderate flooding along the Jowhar/Mogadishu road forced traffic to use a 25km bypass, while all other roads remain accessible and no major incidents have been reported. Meanwhile, subsiding monsoon winds (June - September) this week allowed the first two commercial ships from Kenya's Mombasa port to dock at Kismayo port since July, which bodes well for the cheaper transport of humanitarian items. Mogadishu port also remains accessible for both in- and out-going vessels.

This week, WFP distributed 305 metric tons of assorted relief food in Dinsor district (Bay region) to 12,633 households. Also 86.5 metric tons of assorted food under the Supplementary Feeding Programme (SFP) sites of Bay and Bakool for 1,755 beneficiaries while 267 Tuberculosis (TB) beneficiaries received 26.7 metric tons of family food rations in Baidoa, Burhakaba, Wajid and Tieglow TB centers run by Word Vision International (WVI). CARE distributed 3,200 metric tons of food aid through their regular program to 171, 666 people in three districts of Luuq, Belet Hawa and Dolow in Gedo region.

Flood watch

During the reporting week, Somali Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) forecast moderate rains in both the Shabelle and Juba river basins with moderate risk of flooding in the lower reaches of the two rivers. On the Shabelle, river levels have reached 5.2m with expected overflow at 5.25m - which has not occurred due to decreased rains.

In terms of response, the largest embankment breakage at Boodale village in Middle Shabelle region was under rehabilitation during the reporting period by local authorities and community with support from UNDP Local authorities also embarked on repairing the impassable (Afgoye-Jowhar and Jalalaqis-Jowhar roads) to allow traffic flow.

On the Juba River, SWALIM reported that the Jubas received heavy rains in the last week leading to significant increase in river levels in the lower reaches of the river with no overflows or damages reported. Local and International NGOs working in the area have been repairing a number of breaches in the lower parts of the river in preparation for any eventualities although many other reaches are yet to be repaired.

For further information, contact: Rita Maingi at +254 734 800 120 - maingir@un.org