Somalia: Situation Report No. 24 - 20 Jun 2008

Main developments

During the reporting period, there were no improvements in security in Mogadishu as fighting between Ethiopian/Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and antigovernment groups continued to cause civilian casualties and distress. More than 40 civilians have been killed in Mogadishu alone this week. On 19 June 20 civilians were killed as Ethiopian/TFG forces engaged insurgent groups in fierce fighting in Mogadishu. A majority of them were victims as a result of indiscriminate shelling. Hospitals in Mogadishu have reported admitting more than 100 wounded during the week. Although fighting is still continuing, the number of civilian displaced from Mogadishu has decreased in the last couple of weeks according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

On 16 June, a national staff member affiliated with an INGO operating in Somalia was abducted by unknown gunmen in Ceel Dheer district in Galgaduud region. The reason for his abduction is still unknown. However, this latest abduction brings to eight the number of aid workers in captivity in Somalia. On 13 June, in a separate incident, a vehicle belonging to an INGO escaped an explosion after an unknown group of people planted a remote-controlled landmine on the Industrial Road in Mogadishu. The landmine detonated but the vehicle and its occupants escaped unharmed.

Despite security risks in Somalia, aid workers continued to assist vulnerable people. The Norwegian Refugee Council has completed the distribution of 2,000 non-food items and the construction of 200 latrines in Mogadishu's Daynile district. The World Health Organization distributed drug supplies to three Out Patient Departments in Afgooye corridor through a local NGO called MUAK and also conducted HIV/AIDS training aimed at boosting the upgraded Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services in Marka town, Lower Shabelle region.

COOPI is rehabilitating water catchments in three locations in Belet Wayne District through a cash-for-work scheme. The scheme is being implemented under the Emergency Pastoralist Livelihoods Support Project (EPLSP) and will benefit about 300 people including 90 women from pastoralist families affected by the drought in the region.

WFP delivered 7,707 metric tons of food aid to 470,000 beneficiaries in Waajid, Marka and Bossaso. On the other hand, eight consignments of 2,654 metric tons of food aid meant for the Shabelle regions and Lower Juba are pending loading due to access problems attributed to rains in these regions. On 16 June, WFP, CARE and ICRC held a joint donor brief aimed at presenting how food aid partners are involved in addressing humanitarian emergencies in Somalia. The donor briefing also highlighted factors behind the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Somalia, consequences, food needs, response requirements, shortfalls and challenges.

This week CARE distributed 644.9 metric tons of food aid to 33,120 beneficiaries in Gedo region, 451 mt of mixed commodities to 47,616 people in Hiraan and 1,665 mt to 175,728 people in Galgaduud.

The heavy rains that hit parts of Mogadishu on 14-15 June aggravated the already poor living conditions in IDP settlements in and around the capital. At least six people were reported to have died under different circumstances following the prolonged rains.

Further Information in Somali or English, contact: Abdi Yussuf Noor on 254 734 800 120 - nooryussuf@un.org