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Somalia

UNCT Somalia Monitor 01 - 31 Mar 2000

CONTENTS
I. What's new?
II. General Update

  • A. Food security
  • B. Health and Nutrition
  • C. Education
  • D. Water and Sanitation
  • E. Repatriation
  • F. Gender and Human Rights

III. Development Activities
IV. Political Update
V. Security Update & Advisories

I. What's New

Progress on the Djibouti Initiative: the world awaits in anticipation for the latest developments in the Djibouti-led peace plan for Somalia. In the meantime, the process has stimulated incredible debate, discussion, controversy and ferment within Somalia and outside, among Somali-watchers. The local press and radio has been inundated with differing views and voices. The world-wide-web has been a unique tool and used extensively as a way expressing thoughts from the Somali diaspora. Outsider opinion has ranged from a French Professor requesting the international community to keep its hands off Somalia, to others who fully endorse this latest attempt to solve Somalia's unique status amongst the world's nation states - being without a national government and without peace for over ten years. As certain tensions have arisen, particularly as certain leaders have excluded themselves from the process, there has been a continuing democratic groundswell as ordinary Somali's, civil associations, and intellectuals have taken to the streets advocating for change. The peaceful demonstrations in Bosasso (resulting in one killing by a police ricochet and several injuries) are the most recent examples of that popular mobilisation. Such a radical transformation in Somali society takes time and it is not surprising that the Technical Symposium meeting in Djibouti comprised of Somali intellectuals have yesterday advised President Guelle's advisors that more time is needed.

Peace and Culture: preparations are underway within Somalia and among the Somali diaspora for the FESTHORN in Djibouti. The process of selecting artistes, musicians and poets are on-going in several parts of Somalia. UNESCO will be releasing regularly FESTHORN News to keep all those interested posted on further developments.

Drought in the Horn of Africa: as the dry jilaal season enters the fourth month hundreds of thousands of Somalis are suffering the results of successive rain failure, poor crop and livestock production in certain critical areas, and consequent food insecurity. FSAU estimates that about 500,000 Somalis, including 60,000 children, are in need of relief assistance in southern Somalia and about 100-200,000 persons in central and northern areas. The current crisis in Somalia is rather dwarfed by the enormity of the current situation in Ethiopia - where there are an estimated 8 million drought-affected persons. However, the continuing conflict and absence of responsible authority in Somalia are just two factors which give greater emphasis to the need for a longer term structural response by international agencies to the problem of food insecurity in the country. As part of that international response, the UN Secretary General has appointed a Special Envoy for the region, Ms Catherine Bertini, Head of the UN World Food Programme to visit the region and undertake a current assessment of the situation and the international response.

Bumper Deyr Crop: the tragic irony of Somalia was again demonstrated this month as the FSAU gave the results of the January deyr secondary crop for Somalia. Their estimates are that this is one of the biggest harvests in the post-war period (108,000 Mts compared to pre-war and post-war averages of 94,000 Mts and 70,000 Mts respectively). Yet, the increase in food stocks and lowering of prices have only affected surplus areas including: the Shabelle and Juba river regions. In stark contrast, Bakool produced a mere 113 Mts compared to a post-war average of 2,109 Mts.

Sky-watching and cloud-chasing: on 30 March the UN Agencies released a press statement giving forewarning about the pending food security crisis which is expected to become widespread if the gu (March/ April) rains are little and late. Rains in the last two days in Luuq and Jalalaqsi are hoped to be good omens for the future.

Shooting of Aircraft: One of the issues which continues to beset Somalia is the lack of responsible authority and law and order. One day after the UN was negotiating with local representatives and contemplating low-key humanitarian intervention in Kismayo two gunmen loosed some rounds at an UNCAS aircraft which very nearly resulted in tragedy. UN operations are now suspended in this area - emergency needs will continue to go un-addressed in this part of the south.

Somali TV Stations in Mogadishu: the extraordinary dichotomy of the country was yet again demonstrated this month as two TV stations opened up in the former capital. A significant contribution to the current peace movement in Mogadishu has been the growing number of radio and two independent television stations that have been established over the last three to six months in the city. These represent important new sources of information and entertainment for the population of Mogadishu and its surroundings and it is believed that they playing a major role in the current 'civil society' debate in the area. The proprietors of these new establishments are Somalis who recently returned from the diaspora to invest politically and economically in the country. At least one TV stations operate six channels [from 6 p. m to midnight] everyday in several language programmes, including Somali, Arabic and English.

USAID mission: a USAID delegation from Washington traveled to Baidoa on a one-day mission. This is the first mission from USAID since their departure after UNOSOM. The delegation met with various actors in Nairobi and it has expressed the wish for USAID to strengthen operations in Somalia. Their mission purpose was to review the humanitarian situation in Somalia and to discuss issues faced by the international community.

Media Trips: as world interest in Somalia increases - to view the current political developments and to assess the current humanitarian crisis - Somalis have been receiving a concomitant increase in foreign visitors. Various media have made trips over the past month. The 'Peace for One Day' film crew traveled to Baidoa and Hargeisa to film various activities in preparation of the World Peace Day to be celebrated in September. The crew is on a worldwide tour filming stories advocating peace, especially in war-torn countries. UNICEF facilitated the visit of Kenya Television Network (KTN) which toured Baidoa, Hargeisa and Bossaso and produced a documentary "Somalia - 10 years after Siad Barre". Voice of America also got in on the act, trying out their new film crew on Somaliland. (If anyone feels like travelling to Somalia they are advised to contact the UN Resident Coordinator's office).

SACB Programming in Somaliland: a mission comprised of members of the SACB, including the interim SACB Executive Chair and the UN Resident Coordinator, traveled to Somaliland. During their three day stay, the mission met with various actors including the administration, UN Agencies, INGOs and local NGOs in the area. The mission set on course an exercise to establish coherency amongst all current intervention, ensure coincidence with local authority priorities, and by October 2000 to attempt to secure funding for programme gaps.

II. General Update

Given that the security situation is relatively stable in drought-affected areas compared previous years and the deyr harvest overall was a bumper crop, the general view is that humanitarian conditions are not as bad at an aggregate level compared to the emergency situation of last year.

However, in certain areas, due to the drought, which has affected the whole of the Horn of Africa resulting in successive crop failure and poor livestock production, humanitarian conditions have reached acute levels. Further, if the climate forecast holds true - 50 percent probability that gu rains are below normal - then the emergency could become more widespread throughout southern and central Somalia.

According to FSAU about 500,000 persons in southern and central Somalia are food insecure. These populations, mainly concentrated in Gedo, Bay, Bakool and Hiran, do not currently have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food and therefore require emergency assistance.

Some of the general indicators used to assess the current humanitarian situation include crop and livestock production, population movements, malnutrition figures, health status, access to water, and trade and commodity prices.

Deyr crop production: the January harvest has been quite good due to above normal late rains in November. The FSAU estimates that the overall cereal production in the 1999 deyr season was good (108,000 Mts compared to pre-war and post-war averages of 94,000 Mts and 70,000 Mts respectively). However, areas such as Bakool, northern Gedo, northern Hiran and parts of Bay have been affected by the drought. For example, the deyr production in Bakool was estimated to be only 113 Mts compared to the post-war average of 2,109 Mts.

Population movements: However, population displacement is very difficult to determine, particularly as it is so dissipated. In 1999, population movements have been particularly diffuse over the last six months in the pursuit of survival. During the 1998/ 1999 emergency period, movements were much more concentrated particularly due to the continuing conflict between the RRA and SNA forces (in conflict households tend to stick together for safety). Further, households have changed survival strategies since the early 1990s when there was a preponderance for movements toward urban areas and camps. This year, particularly with less quantity and regularity of food relief, and with the greater prevalence of high frequency radios, households are using communication and having a greater understanding of conditions elsewhere in order to determine their movement. Such movements have therefore been gradual starting as individual and becoming more collective as conditions have worsened. Rather than concentrating in 'food camps' - where conditions are visible to aid agencies and the media - households have moved from drought-stricken areas toward riverine areas in Gedo, moving up north into Ethiopia, moving south toward Baidoa and Mogadishu and as far northeast as Bossaso and Las Anod (where FSAU has reported families arriving in small numbers from Bakool in the last few weeks).

Nutritional Surveys: a number of nutritional surveys have been conducted by UNICEF in the past few months giving an indication of emergency conditions in Bakool and Gedo. In Gedo, global malnutrition rates of 24 percent for Bardera were recorded for under-five children. In more food insecure areas in the same region, such as Burdubo and Luuq, the rates are expected to be higher in marginalised groups.

In the Bakool region, records indicate that pre-war global malnutrition rates have generally been between 6.1 percent and 11.5 percent. In 1994, at the height of the famine, the rate in Rabdure was 21.3 percent. By late 1994/95 the nutritional status of Bakool region was reported to be good (global malnutrition rates in Tieglo - 5.5 percent and Wajid - 4.6 percent 1995 UNICEF). Most recent malnutrition surveys undertaken by UNICEF indicate global malnutrition rates of 30 percent in Rabdure (including a 6 percent severe malnutrition rate). In Wajid the situation is marginally better with provisional rates showing a global malnutrition rate of 21 percent (including a severe malnutrition rate of 3 percent). It should be noted that Wajid has received three WFP food distributions in the last three months. Moreover there was some sorghum grain harvested in the area and water points are working. It is difficult to project the nutritional status for other areas, but it is reasonable to expect that the rates are equally serious in other drought stricken areas, such as Al Barde.

Such rates indicate that the poorest income groups are reducing food consumption levels to below acceptable standards. This represents a trade off between current well being and future recovery.

Health status: without good comparative data it is difficult to determine the health status of the population. The common diseases are well known: malaria, diarrhea disease including cholera, and respiratory infections. At this time of year the most serious concern relates to cholera. The updated WHO reports indicate the following:

Countrywide: 804 reported cases with 56 deaths indicating a case fatality rate of about 8 percent;

Mogadishu:
North - 443 cases and 11 deaths
South - 180 cases and 4 deaths

Lower Shabelle: 86 cases and 23 deaths with a case fatality rate of 27 percent;

COSV took the lead role in chlorination, health education and case management in the four districts of Lower Shabelle, where CTC's were opened in Merka and Qorioley. But these were closed as there were no patients. Instead, a mobile team composed of COSV, WHO and UNICEF has been formed to respond to outbreaks in the rural areas and to conduct assessments when there are suspected outbreaks in districts where COSV has no presence.

Reports from the 'Ayaamaha' daily in Mogadishu indicate that a cholera outbreak in the Afgoye region of Central Somalia is reported to have caused the death of 6 people. The head of security forces in Afgoye, Wanlaweyn and Awdheegle district, has appealed to relief agencies to urgently treat cholera patients.

Bay: An outbreak has been reported from Burhakaba. Stool samples collected from the area tested positive for cholera. Over the period from 4-17 March there have been 34 cases, 16 deaths and a case fatality rate of 47.1 percent.

Puntland: There are also reports of cholera in northeast Puntland around Alula. Samples have been taken for examination by WHO.

Access to Water: this is very difficult to quantify. However, examples can be used to give an indication of the general situation. ADRA has just completed its survey of Bakool region and it has assessed 11 main areas (with a combined population of 53,000 persons) who are in need of emergency water intervention. Some villages are up to 40-60 kilometres from their nearest water source. In all likelihood these households have moved or are moving over these coming weeks.

Trade, prices and terms of trade: factors such as the border closure, the RRA/ SNA frontline, poor harvest and poor livestock conditions have resulted in high cereal and imported food prices and declining terms of trade for animals and casual labour. For example, during February in distant markets such as Rabdure sorghum was 2,800 Somali Shillings per kilo compared to 1,500 in Baidoa. Likewise, one shoat in Wajid, Bakool earned less than one bag of cereal compared to three 50-kg sacks in Mogadishu.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

General indicators suggest that with a chronic emergency of this magnitude, the majority of marginalised and vulnerable populations are surviving by a combination of methods including moving to other areas, relying on social support mechanisms and traditional coping strategies such as sale of bush products and eating of wild foods.

However, just two examples indicate that, where there is a relatively good operating environment and international agencies are able to respond, intervention is clearly having a good impact:

  • Three good WFP food distributions in Wajid were followed by a nutritional survey indicating a global malnutrition rate of 21 percent which whilst not good was some ten points less than in Rabdure;
  • MSF Spain and ACF cholera treatment in Mogadishu has a marked impact on case fatality rates compared to areas, such as in Lower Shabelle and Bay region, where there is no international medical presence.

In spite of current difficulties a number of key emergency responses have been undertaken in the reporting period including the following:

  • CARE distributed 4,861 Mts of food including 1,521 Mts food relief in Bay, Bakool and Gedo region;
  • WFP distributed about 1,300 Mts of food relief during the same period, primarily in Bay, south Gedo and Bakool;
  • UNICEF continued to support international NGOs and MCH's with UNIMIX distributions. ACF has completed one month of therapeutic feeding in Luuq town for about 150 cases;
  • WHO, UNICEF, COSV, MSF Spain, ACF and ICRC have been working on the Cholera Task Force in ensuring adequate response and preparation for the current outbreak.

Northern Somalia

Whilst the emergency is most associated with the southern and central parts of Somalia, the north has also suffered a prolonged dry season. As an indication of how bad the situation in Ethiopia is, Ethiopian Somalis have been reported to have moved across the border into Somaliland around Boroma and Gebiley in search of employment and assistance.

FSAU has given indications of exaggerated population movements and critical humanitarian conditions in the Haud region which crosses the triangle of Somaliland, Puntland and Region 5 in Ethiopia. In north Mudug in the area from Samade and Jeriban eastwards to the coast there is very poor food security. This area was the epicentre of the severe water shortage in 1998/99 and received only late light rains in April 1999 and very poor October deyr rains.

The problems facing displaced communities in the northeast were emphasised this last month. A fire in dense poor housing resulted in the destruction of scores of homes. In response, WFP made food distributions to the affected families and distributed 50 blankets on behalf of UNICEF, cooking utensils, 20 pieces of plastic sheeting and used clothes donated by OTP.

A. Food Security

The SACB/FSSC seed-working group has met several times in order to co-ordinate the planned seed distribution in Southern Somalia. The estimated needs for the coming season is 1,150 MT targeting farmers in the rainfed areas of Middle Juba, Gedo, Hiran, Bay and Bakool. NGOs planning to distribute seeds are World Vision, InterSOS, Trocaire, ADRA and ICRC.

FAO has received a donation from the Swedish Government to enable the distribution of 330 metric tones of sorghum seed and agricultural tools to vulnerable farmers in the rainfed areas in Bay, Gedo and Hiran region of Southern Somalia in preparation of the coming Gu season. The implementing partners in the field are InterSOS, World Vision, ADRA and Trocaire.

FAO have reported progress in their programmes in the field. In Lower Shabelle region FAO has almost completed the rehabilitation of 30 sluice gates and 30 irrigation canals in collaboration with Water for Life. The preparation of training documents for the canal committees is ongoing. In the Shabelle and Juba rivers FAO's Home Gardening project for improvement of Food security and nutritional situation is progressing well. A nutritional manual for field workers is being prepared for training purposes. A booklet on nutritional aspects is being prepared for the local community.

FAO together with InterSOS is starting the training of 15,000 women farmers in horticultural practices and nutrition by the end of March.

WFP Cross Border Operations: A cross border operation of 463 tonnes of cereals, pulses and old from El Wak, Mandera on the Kenyan border to the Gedo region is still en route. Nine of twelve trucks have reached the town of El Wak on the Kenyan side whilst an additional three are still en route. This is the first cross border operation since 1998. The food will go towards relief operations in Bardera district and towards supplementary feeding in TB hospitals in Luuq benefiting close to 46 000 people.

WFP relief operations completed in the North: WFP distributed 298 Mts of food aid from 12 - 14 March to various regions of the Haud in the northwest in response to various assessment carried out. Four years of poor rainfall in Haud areas of Togdheer and Sool regions in the northwest, has resulted in the migration of households to the northern regions where water and pasture was available. The food was distributed to close to 17, 000 beneficiaries in Odweyne (60 tons), Duruqsi (59 tons), Balidhig (59 tons) and Buhoodle (42 tons) districts in Togdheer and in Las Anod (78 tons) in Sool. In addition, a total of 18.65 tons was distributed to the northeast to IDPs.

Movement of vessels: The MV Semlow departed from Mombasa on 26 February and arrived in Merka on 2 March carrying a transhipment of 850 metric tons for southern Somalia. The MV Nilolaos - G arrived in Mombasa on 12 March carrying a donation of 8,000 metric tons of cereals, a donation from the European Union.

B. Health and Nutrition

World TB Day: World TB day was observed at different locations in Somalia by concerned partners involved in TB control. At Hargeisa on 26th March there was a public address on TB to the community given by the Vice-Minister of Health and the member of the house of elders. This was followed by role plays and songs on TB and common misconceptions. There was a football match that same afternoon between youth group teams. All these activities were relayed on Hargeisa TV and Radio to create awareness and community mobilisation on TB. These activities were supported by WHO.

UNICEF conducted a five-day measles campaign in Boroma for 20 regional health board members from Hargeisa and Awdal regions. At the end of the campaign, 7,000 children were immunised.

UNICEF together with key actors in the Northwest region has held discussions on the reactivation and reconstruction of the national committee for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation.

The UN Dispensary in Mogadishu has taken steps towards the threat of cholera in the city. Among the activities planned include training on Emergency Preparedness, Health Education to families of staff members and inspection of water supply. ACF have agreed to supply chlorine to UNDP.

C. Education

Dr. Abdillahi Abib of Amoud University and Prof. Mustafa Elhag of California State University, Fresno, were in Nairobi in the last week of February to interact with partners on Amoud University, its future plans and prospects. They proposed to start a new project "Administrative Development in Somalia" in Amoud, which would offer a Masters degree programme, a certificate programme and series of seminars, workshops and consultancies using satellite and Internet delivery methods.

UNESCO undertook a mission to Puntland and Somaliland in the beginning of March to interact with government officials on CEPPES (Curriculum Development, Textbook Provision, Professional Development and the Education Management Information System for Primary Education in Somalia) project. A joint UNESCO-UNICEF-EC mission led by UNESO will be fielded to Somaliland and Puntland in mid-April to officially launch the project.

A baseline study on Learning Achievement levels in Somali schools will soon be carried out. The outcome of the study will be a project proposal for the proposed Centre for Assessment Services (CEAS) to be established within UNESCO PEER. A Training of trainers' workshop was held in Hargeisa during the month. Training of primary teachers followed the workshop.

D. Water and Sanitation

The World Water Day was celebrated in Hargeisa, Berbera and Burao with the support of UNICEF. Various activities were coordinated to commemorate the day. These included a public rally, a football match and a gathering of local dignitaries, representatives of women's groups, UN and INGO agencies.

E. Repatriation and Reintegration

Voluntary repatriation from Yemen to Mogadishu has resumed following a delay as a result of insecurity. The first group consisting of 60 returnees was received by the UNHCR's Mogadishu field office at the beginning of the month. This was followed by the voluntary repatriation of 154 persons from Aden. The returnees received a repatriation grant and assistance by UNHCR staff at the Balidogle airport.

UNHCR Quick Impact Programmes (QIPs) in the Northwest and Northeast regions and Mogadishu in various sectors are functioning to the benefit of returnees and others. Staff in the field were working with local communities to assess needs, which will require addressing through other QIPs in potential areas of return for the year 2000.

The monitoring for reintegration/implementing projects is proceeding normally throughout the areas of return by UNHCR staff on the field.

F. Gender and Human Rights

International Women's Day: was celebrated on 8 March. Various UN agencies held activities to mark the occasion. In Hargeisa, the commemoration was organised by various women's groups. Over 2000 people participated in a rally where various women's groups gave speeches and were later hosted at a function organised by Somaliland's first lady. A football match, attended by over 3500 people was held in the afternoon. The event received good coverage from two local dailies and the Hargeisa TV. Other celebrations to mark the occasion were held in Boroma. These were organised by the Kulmiye women's umbrella, which received financial and technical assistance from UNICEF. WFP distributed 20 kilograms of dates to each of the 500 vulnerable women who attended the commemoration.

Summary Justice: In Jowhar on 27 February, a man was executed publicly by a firing squad for killing a woman. This was as a result of an agreement between the clans of both the woman and the man, who deemed that punishment by death was the rightful solution. The man had escaped from jail but was recapture in Wanlaweyn a day before his execution.

Press Freedom: in a circular signed by the Vice President of Puntland, the regional government has nullified an early directive by the Ministry of Information banning most independent newspapers in the region.

III. Development Activities

As part of UNDP's vision to enhance the Somali capacity building, various projects have sponsored Somali participants to training workshops. Two Somali officials have been sponsored by UNDP through UNCTAD, to attend a Ports Management workshop in India. The Vice-Chairwoman of a Somali Women's NGO was also sponsored to attend a workshop in the USA on women empowerment. The manager of Somalia Mine Action Centre (SMAC) in Hargeisa also benefited and has traveled to Geneva for training.

UNDP has confirmed funding for UNIFEM for capacity building, training, advocacy and production of documents for Somali Women's NGOs. A contribution to the first kindergarten in Mogadishu has also been confirmed.

A patnership between UNDP and Diakonia for the execution of some components of civil protection programme is soon to be finalised. The programme has received a grant of US$ 3.5. million from the Italian Government. Other governments have made pledges towards development and capacity building programmes, following high level discussions with UNDP.

IV. Political Update

For several months, the Djibouti government and people have been actively in preparing for the Somali peace initiative, which will be hosted in Djibouti around the week of 20 April. The OAU, IGAD and League of Arab States have endorsed the process and many Somalis have been engaging the Djibouti government through direct communication and travel to meet with Djibouti officials. Ministers and ambassadors representing the member states of Inter-Governmental Authority on Development met in Djibouti on 28 March, to discuss the planned Djibouti peace initiative for Somalia.

The Djibouti peace initiative is expected to convene a national reconciliation conference for Somalia in 20 April in Djibouti, which is widely expected to introduce the formation of transitional assembly to lead the country.

On 23 March 2000, delegates participating in the Somali Peace Initiative's "Technical Consultative Symposium" held in Djibouti from 17 through 30 March, released a 'Communiqué' expressing their deepest gratitude to the President and people of the Republic of Djibouti for their concerted effort to assist the Somali people