IN BRIEF...
The Somalia Settlement Level Survey
has covered approximately 5,500 settlements. The survey managed to include
the Bajuni islands and Middle and Lower Juba regions after many years of
isolation.
These statistics will be used in developing poverty profiles and extensive poverty mapping, which will guide the formulation of pro-poor policies and design of future development programmes for Somalia.
The Qualified Expatriate Somali Technical Support (QUESTS) Project, established to engage the Somali Diaspora in the rebuilding of the country has now deployed 27 Diaspora Somali consultants to help local institutions adopt best practices in their service delivery.
More than 700 civilian weapons have been registered in a pilot weapons registration project taking place in Burao and Gabiley in Somaliland.
The project aims to raise awareness of the draft small arms legislation to support its passing through Parliament while building the capacity of the authorities.
When the legislation passes into law, civilian weapon registration will be expanded to all regions of Somaliland.
On December 1, 2005, the UN Country Team launched a quarterly HIV/AIDS newsletter that gives a voice to all actors in the HIV/AIDS response, and most importantly, to local NGOs, religious leaders, young people, women and girls, the local authorities and people living with HIV (PLWH) to disseminate experiences from their HIV/AIDS-related work.
The newsletter is a contribution of the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with AIDS coordination structures in Somalia and Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB).
Parts of Somalia 'at risk of famine'
Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim is 18 months old. He is in his mother's arms at the Garbaharey District Hospital, Gedo region, because he has not been able to eat for the last few days. His mother tries to feed him some processed milk, but it all comes back up as vomit. The nutritional nurse decides that if the child is going to live, he will need to be fed through a naso-gastric tube. As though he can sense the discomfort to come, Mohamed begins to cry, as his hands are taped to tiny bits of wood that cannot be more than three centimetres long so that he cannot pull at the tube. The boy gags and cries and whimpers as the tube is inserted into his nose by two nurses during a five minute ordeal.
Mohamed is one of the nine children at the Hospital, whose condition has deteriorated too much to remain at home on a supplementary feeding programme. One child, brought in too late, died the night before. There are children here with marasmus, diarrhoea and malnutrition. Another child, Ifrah, is six months old and weighs only 2 kilogrammes, much less than a newborn baby's average weight.
These children are the living testimony of a drought that is ravaging southern Somalia, the rest of the Horn of Africa, and spreading south in the continent. The rains have failed for two consecutive seasons, decimating the livestock of this predominantly pastoralist population. Annual cereal production is at 50% its post-war average, putting parts of Somalia at risk of famine and 1.7 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
But this is not only an emergency about food. It is a water crisis. Livestock and wildlife are competing with human beings for the rapidly depleting water sources. Wells and boreholes in areas of Somalia away from the two main rivers, the Juba and the Shabelle, are few and far between. The village of Gabato, Bakol region for instance, has a water catchment area that has served the district for more than 50 years. It has dried up only twice in its history. It started to dry in October 2005, which was when the livestock were kept away, allowing only humans to access the water. Since December, it has been completely dry. Now the closest water point, El-Jedow, is 12 kilometers away. The well is usually 15 meters deep, but now less than one metre of water is left to be shared by the communities in the area and the livestock.
The livestock that has not already died, has been moved south and eastwards by male relatives, in search of pasture as entire farms have been left dry and barren, save for a few twigs that hint at the sorghum fields that used to be here. This leaves the women and children to migrate to urban areas such as Wajid, where they hope to receive assistance either from the authorities, international and local nongovernmental organisations or the United Nations.
Malak (Chief) Ali Yow says that the young, women and the elderly are coming to Wajid to look for assistance and particularly water. "The drought is affecting people and livestock. People have no water and no food. And now we are seeing more cases of diarrhoea, malnutrition and skin diseases."
Ulmai Nur, 30, concurs. She came from Gubay, a nearby village five months ago, and says she cannot go back. "I was a farmer, but now all the livestock is dead. I came looking for food and water." Her 3-year old son Abdullahi sits at her feet with malaria. She has no food and no money to feed him or even buy medicine. One month old Isaak is barely visible in the sling she carries him in.
The next rains are supposed to start in mid-April, but preliminary climatic forecasts give a bleak picture that the rains may not be adequate and even then, the water will probably run off the surface of the hardened soil. UN agencies and NGOs are providing assistance in the sectors of food aid, livestock and agriculture, water and sanitation, health and nutrition, access and protection across the regions. A measles prevention campaign will take place in March 2006.
The Food Security Analysis Unit says that we have a small window of opportunity in which to intervene and make sure that famine does not occur. If we do not act now, the cost in terms of human lives, livestock and even financially will sky-rocket. For instance, it costs ten times more to do therapeutic feeding than supplementary feeding. The time to act is now.
Armo Police Academy opens its doors
27-year old Mustapha's AK-47 is slung on his shoulder as he watches, enviously, the cadets marching at the opening of the newly-constructed Armo Police Academy in Puntland." I am very proud to see the cadets in their uniform and marching," he says. "I have already enrolled for the next intake at the Academy."
These sentiments are echoed by 60-year old Halima, from the nearby Armo village. "Before we were insecure and weak, but now seeing the boys and girls marching, it shows the unity of Somalia."
This was the scene as 150 new cadets, of whom 20 were female, marched in front of Prime Minister Gedi as he officially opened the institution on Somali Police Day, 20 December 2005. The Academy is the first to be built in Somalia for several years and is located 100 kilometres south of Bossaso. In its first operational phase, the initial intake of cadets from different regions joined the Academy on 10 December 2005.
'"I want to work for my country and defend the dignity of women and the Somali people," 17-year old Hamdi Hersi Mohamed, one of the twenty female cadets, stated as her motivation for joining the Academy.
The challenging three-month training course that Hamdi and her colleagues are undertaking is a continuation of the one developed by UNDP at the Mandera Police Academy in Somaliland which was first rehabilitated in 1999. This covers community policing, basic police training, non-violent disarmament, physical fitness, self-defence, marching and theory. Computer lessons will also be provided. Upon graduation, the cadets will then be able to take up posts in different law enforcement sections such as the traffic police, the mobile unit, criminal investigation department, manning complaints desk at the police stations, internal affairs, etc.
Phase 1 of the construction covered the establishment of two classrooms, dormitories for male cadets, an administration block and the electricity and water supply. Phase 2, which will be complete in March 2006, will include a dispensary, dormitories for female cadets, two classrooms, two more dormitories for male cadets, a multi-purpose hall (for recreation and dining) and sports facilities (football, basketball and volleyball).
The role of the Armo community has been significant, having contributed the (undisputed) land at no cost, built the external perimeter wall of the Academy, the trainer's accommodation and the water pipe system from the town to the Academy. The support staff at the Academy are from the town, and the dispensary, which will include a maternity wing, will also serve the residents.
The ultimate aim of the Law Enforcement component of the Rule of Law and Security Programme is to establish a professional civilian police force able to effectively contribute to the restoration of peace while gaining the trust of the community, and the development and provision of high calibre training. Part of ensuring the longevity of the Academy is the engagement of former police officers to conduct the training.
Joint Needs Assessment officially kicks off
More than 100 representatives of different Somali groups, the United Nations, the World Bank, donors and NGOs met in Nairobi in November 2005 at the Joint Needs Assessment Inception Retreat to discuss the objectives, methodology and timeline for producing the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), a document to mobilize and coordinate international assistance for a five year period (2006-2010). The teams of Somali and international technical experts will undertake the assessment and prepare a set of priority reconstruction and development initiatives (the RDP) for presentation to a global donor conference.
Over 55 experts from the UN, World Bank and Somali Diaspora have been brought into the cluster teams and some 65 counterparts are involved in the exercise. To ensure as inclusive a process as possible, these teams have already held consultative workshops in Jowhar and Hargeisa with more to follow in different locations.
The Somali Joint Needs Assessment is co-led by the United Nations and the World Bank on the request of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the international community. For more on the Somali JNA, log on to www.somali-jna.org For more on Post Conflict Needs Assessments, please visit www.undg.org
Puntland Development Plan draft submitted
In December 2005, the Technical Unit within the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in Puntland, with the support of UNDP, submitted the draft Regional Five-Year Development Plan.
The finalization of the RFYDP is a continuation of the formulation process, which was commenced by the Ministry in 2004. To conduct the formulation process the Technical Unit was established by the Ministry to provide technical support and to coordinate the formulation of the Plan, supervised by the Ministry itself and with the financial support of UNDP. The Plan will address various dimensions and challenges of the rehabilitation and development in the region, set development priorities and targets.
Providing basic services in Puntland
The Reintegration of Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (RRIDP) Programme is moving full steam ahead through Puntland. A Mother and Child Health Centre (MCH) to benefit about 6,000 vulnerable persons including IDP host communities in Bossaso has been completed, along with three police stations on the edges of Bossaso and Garowe to improve the protection services to about 15,000 vulnerable persons. Two schools are being constructed for both primary and secondary school children in two rural locations intended to benefit about 800 school age children.
Three business markets have also been established in Bossaso, Qardho and Garowe for use by about 200 vulnerable women. In addition the program has trained two women NGOs in micro-financing management who will in turn train the 200 women.
To ensure the effective management of the facilities provided to IDP and returnee camps, local management committees in 15 camps in Bossaso were trained in instructional management, conflict resolution, environmental sanitation, project management cycle, HIV/AIDS and gender.
Mine Action needs USD5.5 million in 2006
In the last two years, 150 Somalis have been either killed or injured by handling mines or unexploded ordnance (UXO), a particular feature of countries coming out of conflict. Landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) not only kill and injure people, they hinder access to critical services, and inhibit the use of roads, airstrips and other infrastructure. They also prevent the safe movement of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), delivery of humanitarian assistance and the deployment of peacekeepers.
Landmine Impact Surveys have been conducted in four regions of Somaliland and three regions of Puntland, both have Mine Action Centres, and bomb disposal teams linked to the police force, tasked with the removal of UXO and mine clearance. Insecurity and lack of access have impeded LIS in the central/south regions.
To continue this work, the UN is appealing for USD5.5 million covering all five aspects of mine action, namely: clearing, marking or fencing off mined areas; assisting victims and their families; providing mine risk education; destroying countries' stockpiles of landmines; and advocating for universal participation in treaties related to landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).
Online Distance Learning set up at tertiary institutions
More Somali students and working professionals will now be able to attain internationally accredited university qualifications for cheaper as six tertiary institutions launched the Online Distance Learning Initiative in November 2005. The initiative provides access to global learning and knowledge through partnerships with institutions in other countries and builds their research capacities.
The six institutions being supported under the World Bank Low Income Countries Under Stress (LICUS) Distance Learning and Connectivity Project are East Africa University (Bossaso), Puntland State University (Garowe), The Somali Institute of Management and Administration Development (SIMAD) (Mogadishu), Mogadishu University, University of Hargeisa and Amoud University (Boroma). They are also part of the African Virtual University (AVU) network with access to digital resources and online short courses; long courses in journalism and teacher education are underway.
It has been a long time coming but the actual disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of security forces in Puntland and Somaliland began in November 2005 with 500 personnel each. The preparatory phase took almost one year and entailed the registration of over 17,000 security personnel, including their preferred occupation of choice after the leaving the force.
The funds previously used to pay salaries and benefits would then be redirected towards the provision of essential services such as education and health. Once completed in Puntland for instance, this exercise is expected to free up an annual USD 1 million from the state budget.
All security force personnel have now been registered and a new DDR policy will guide the selection of those eligible to participate in the programme. After handing over their weapons to their commanders, the participants will be provided with on-the-job training and placement, formal education, rural resettlement or support to start their own micro-enterprises.
Meanwhile, in December 2005, the Rule of Law and Security (ROLS) Programme initiated a 14-month project to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate 512 freelance militia from the 16 districts of Mogadishu. This initiative builds on a pilot DDR initiative in 2003, and will be implemented by the same local NGO, SAACID. The militia have already been identified, registered and have handed over their weapons which will be destroyed in a public ceremony. The initiative is part of a broader UNDP-ROLS strategy to build local capacity and facilitate dialogue with key counterparts in South/Central Somalia to lay the foundation for a comprehensive DDR programme in the future.
Supporting the Transitional Federal Government - The Civil Service
In support of re-establishing a civil service in Somalia, the Governance and Financial Services Programme funded four policy studies on key civil service issues: Organisational Structure of the Civil Service; Establishment of a Civil Service Commission; Recruitment of Civil Servants, and; Terms and Conditions for Civil Servants. A follow-up National Dissemination Forum was then held with broad participation from government, private business and civil society and which identified priorities in the field of governance.
The Somalia Emergency Budgetary Support (SEBS) Project has also assisted the Transitional Federal Institutions in the production of; a) a concept paper for the Minister of Finance on the management structure and functions of the Audit General and Accountant General Offices, b) an initial salary survey to guide the establishment of civil service salary levels, c) a policies and procedures guide on the payroll and recruitment systems, and d) an interim payroll system. Additionally, the SEBSP initiated the establishment of the TFI-lead Civil Service and Revenue Generation Task Forces.
World AIDS Day 2005
World AIDS Day (WAD) 2005 was marked successfully throughout Somalia, under the theme of 'Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise'. There was active involvement of the newly launched AIDS Commissions and Government line ministries in both the planning and implementation of the activities that included public gatherings, sports, drama and songs. In all the regions, media campaigns and announcements were made in the lead up to the WAD.
A notable feature of the 2005 WAD commemoration was the high level of collaboration among the local authorities, UN agencies and other development partners in raising funds for the activities.
Working towards harnessing remittances for development
UNDP and the World Bank hosted a conference in Washington DC titled 'Understanding the Challenges and Development Potential of Somali Remittances'. Attendance was particularly good with nineteen participants from the Somali remittance industry as well as federal and state regulators, academics and World Bank staff.
The key outcomes of the conference were: (i) While reiterating that remittances are a crucial source of income to Somalia, there is a need for more data on the scale and effects of remittances in the country; (ii) Somali remittance companies (SRCs) need to continue industry co-operation amongst each other in the US in order to strengthen their lobbying base, and to join National Money Transfer Association; (iii) Steps that will help SRCs survive in host countries include the better organization of their businesses, self-regulation, full compliance with international financial regulations and anti money laundering guidelines, joining industry associations and producing consolidated accounts.
Duduble Canal phase 2 starts: Flood mitigation and agriculture production
Following a successful first phase, with a harvest of more than 14,000 hectares of land, the second phase of the Duduble Canal project in Jowhar was initiated in November 2005. The project combines food production; training and capacity building; water conservation through construction of one million cubic meter water reservoir; community conflict management; environmental land use management and soil conservation.
This will help protect over 50,000 people along the riverine areas from the seasonal impact and vulnerability of floods; improve annual food production by 25,000 metric tons of stable food and improve security in the region; improve environmental conservation and conduct capacity building training for 200 participants. The rehabilitation of the Duduble Canal is the first development project in south Somalia in more than two decades.
Keeping the Promise on HIV/AIDS
Through the joint technical and financial support from UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNIFEM and UNDP, 14 Somalis attended the 14th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Abuja, Nigeria from 4-9 December 2005. The participants included executive directors of Somaliland National AIDS Commission (SOLNAC) and the Puntland AIDS Commission (PAC), Sheiks, youths, the media and local programme personnel. The conference was an eye opener to the Somalis on the experiences of other African countries in addressing HIV/AIDS and innovative ways of reducing new infections.
Two Somali journalists also attended a regional media HIV/AIDS training workshop in Cairo in November 2005, which served to educate the journalists on issues of HIV/AIDS in the region, create linkages with other media in the region and commit to more incisive coverage on the issue.
With the support of UNAIDS and UNDP, three Somali people living with HIV (PLWH), SOLNAC's Executive Director and a Medical Doctor from Hargeisa Group Hospital attended Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) regional meeting on 'Consultation on Support to PLWHA' in Algiers from 13-17 November 2005. UNDP also supported representatives of sheikhs to attend a training focusing on the role of religious leaders in HIV/AIDS response in Yemen in November 2005. The Sheikhs have now formed a network with fellow religious leaders to promote faith-based HIV/AIDS sensitisation during weekly prayer gatherings in Mosques.
Hargeisa Prison relocating
The Hargeisa Prison is gravely overcrowded and inmates survive in structures of corrugated metal with spaces cut in the sides to allow light to enter the structure. There are no windows, no running water and no sanitation system. On his annual missions, the UN Independent Expert on the situation of Human Rights in Somalia has stated that the living conditions for inmates amounts to a violation of basic human rights and has recommended that the prison be razed.
Following an assessment of conditions in the prison in 2004, UNDP spent much of 2005 fundraising for the relocation of the prison, as well as in discussions with the Government that has agreed to sell the land on which the prison currently sits and use the revenue towards the construction of the new prison.
The prison will act as a model for other detention facilities in the country and the region, and draws on best practice from around the world. The relocation exercise is expected to continue over a two year period.
Programme for Water Supply to Somalia update:
40,000 people in rural areas are expected to benefit from the drilling of eight boreholes in the first phase of this project. Contracts have been awarded for the environmental impact assessments, hydro geological surveys and the drilling of the boreholes. The project is supported by the Sheikh Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Affairs in the United Arab Emirates.
Note: All references to Somaliland pertain to the self-declared but unrecognised Republic of Somaliland. All references to Puntland pertain to the self-declared Puntland State of Somalia.
Compiled and produced by UNDP Somalia Information Office
UNDP Somalia, Springette, Spring Valley, P.O. Box 28832 - 00200, Nairobi +254 20 4183640/2 www.so.undp.org
Contact: sandra.macharia@undp.org for additional information