Attachments
OVERVIEW
In January, the humanitarian crisis in Somalia continued, with millions of Somalis in need of humanitarian assistance. The Protection and Returns Monitoring Network (PRMN), which has been tracking internal displacement trends for the past 17 years, recorded some 13,000 internal displacements in January, primarily due to floods and insecurity. Although there was respite from heavy rain that brought severe flooding in the last quarter of 2023, negative effects of the deluge remain, and climate change is expected to impact Somalia for the foreseeable future. The security situation in the country remained tense, with ongoing military operations to reclaim territory from the Al-Shabaab, hereafter referred to as the non-state armed group (NSAG), which was responsible for multiple indiscriminate attacks, often causing harm to ordinary Somalis.
Finding durable solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers, refugee returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS), and development and humanitarian partners remains one of UNHCR's top priorities in Somalia.
Moreover, UNHCR, in collaboration with authorities and partners, continued to provide vital protection assistance to vulnerable IDPs and host communities affected by conflict, flooding, and drought. In Somalia, UNHCR leads/co-leads the Protection, Shelter, and CCCM clusters for the IDP response.
UNHCR’s key achievements for the month of January are listed below:
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In Kismayo, Jubaland, UNHCR, in coordination with partners and the Ministry of Public Works, relocated 138 IDP households (HHs) to shelters at the Luglow Durable Solutions site. The shelters and a police post were handed over to the IDP residents and local authorities, respectively. Likewise, at the Durdur IDP site in Burao of Somaliland, UNHCR, together with its partner, officially handed over hybrid shelters and land title deeds to 37 households.
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For the flood response, UNHCR, in collaboration with its shelter partner, conducted a vulnerability assessment exercise that aimed to identify 4,000 of the most vulnerable HHs in Beletweyne, Hiran region, and 1,800 of the most vulnerable HHs in Bardheere, Gedo region, who are in need of shelter/ NFI assistance.
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In Galkayo, UNHCR concluded the biometric verification of 1,383 refugees and asylum seekers.
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The Protection Cluster published the Protection Analysis Update for Somalia, Kismayo district.