Somalia: Situation Report 62 - 30 Nov 2007

Main Developments

Response activities have been steadily increasing along the Mogadishu/Afgooye corridor where an estimated 200,000 have since been displaced in the past nine months. Of the roughly 600,000 people displaced in 2007 within and from Mogadishu to various parts of the country, over 215,000 have been displaced since 27 October. The humanitarian response is not yet commensurate with the enormous needs of the vulnerable people. A donor mission led by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) visited the displaced people along this corridor this week. They observed that many more activities were ongoing to help avert the crisis. Despite the security challenges that have daunted the humanitarian community, including the accidental killing of a woman activist last week and increased number of roadblocks taxing humanitarian aid and delays in delivery, helping the displaced has been a priority.

During the reporting week, the 'wet feeding' programme - involving cooking food and serving it to urban poor, vulnerable people trapped and displaced in Mogadishu - started on 25 November. Eight of the planned 10 kitchen sites have been setup and are operating through SAACID, a local NGO. Reports indicate that people are happy with the quality and quantity of food served. As more kitchens become operational, 50,000 meals will be served on a daily basis.

Food aid distribution along the Mogadishu/Afgooye road targeting 180,000 IDPs started on 24 November benefiting displaced people in 10 settlements by local NGOs SAACID and Centre for Education and Development (CED). Other activities included the distribution of non-food items by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to IDPs in Banadir's district of Daynile, Balcad, Qoryooley and Afgooye in Lower Shabelle. Similar distributions took place in Baidoa town and Bakool region. In total, the ICRC distributions benefited 11,820 families or about 70,000 people. About 100 latrines with concrete slabs were completed for eight settlements through the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) and an additional 500 latrines are under construction. International NGO Concern distributed non-food items in Dayniile IDP settlement in Mogadishu to 2,000 beneficiaries.

UNICEF's accelerated campaign for Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) through NGO Muslim Aid-UK was concluded in villages in Jamame and IDPs in Kismayo (Lower Juba). The campaign is a routine exercise focusing on the prevention of six common preventable diseases among children. The total number of children immunized for Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT), Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), Measles, tetanus and Tuberculosis (TB) between ages 0-11 were 6,145. About 2,078 expectant mothers were also immunized against tetanus.

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes is scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on 3 December, following a mission to Ethiopia and Sudan. He will meet with members of the UN Country Team, aid agencies and the diplomatic community working on Somalia. A press briefing is scheduled for 3 December.

Other developments

Although relative calm was reported in Mogadishu this week, security operations in search of firearms continued in Bakara market disrupting trading. Reportedly, on 26 November, a number of hand grenades were hurled at various locations at the market by anti-government elements targeting Ethiopian/TFG forces. This triggered indiscriminate shelling at the vicinity from the latter, there were no reports of civilian casualties. On 28 November, Ethiopian forces launched attacks against anti-government elements following attacks on at least six Ethiopian bases in the city the night before.

The Somali media continued to be under pressure as new regulations were presented at a press conference in Mogadishu by the Mayor of Mogadishu. Reportedly, some of the regulations state that the media may not report on military operations of the Ethiopian and the TFG forces unless official written statements are issued by authorities. Also they will not be allowed to interview government opponents. Disseminating information on displacement of civilians will be an offence unless the journalists receive real statistics to back their stories. These regulations, the Mayor said, form part of the media law that is being debated in parliament. Meanwhile, in the north-west state of Somaliland, two journalists who write for the Hargeysa-based Jamhuuriya newspaper were reportedly arrested in Laas Caanood for allegedly reporting on sensitive matters relating to conflict between Puntland and Somaliland. The National Union of Journalists (NUSOJ) condemned the arrest. For the third week now, three radio stations Shabelle, Simba and Banadir based in Mogadishu remain closed.

Somaliland and Puntland

Response to displaced people in Sool, currently the location disputed between Puntland and Somaliland is ongoing. UNICEF through local partners is tracking water to about 23,500 people in various locations of Sool region. Rehabilitation of existing water sources and promotion of hygiene and sanitation for IDPs as well as host communities are also taking place.

For Further Information, contact: Rita Maingi on +254 734 800 120 - maingir@un.org