OCHA Situation Report
Somalia: Humanitarian Update
November 2003
28 November 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

SOOL PLATEAU DROUGHT UPDATE

Recent reports from the Sool Plateau suggest that the situation is
worsening with no further rain in the region. Pastoralists have started to
abandon their livestock and move to areas with permanent water sources
within the plateau, and to a lesser extent to urban centres such as Las
Anod and Garowe. An FSAU nutrition assessment in Dahar suggested that
although overall nutritional status has not declined significantly, the
children of pastoralists moving into the settlement are noticeably more
malnourished.

The failure of the deyr rains has affected most of northern and central
Somalia and into the Somali Region of Ethiopia. As a result, grazing is
poor and water is very scarce over the whole area, and normal migratory
patterns have been disrupted. However, while the situation requires
careful monitoring over the whole area, the communities on the Sool
Plateau are particularly vulnerable as a consequence of the duration of
the drought, now in its seventh season. Further assessment work is likely
to be required in Togdheer, and the Haud and Nugaal districts of Puntland.

Inter- Agency humanitarian response strategy;

The Humanitarian Response Group is working to develop a response plan for
the area, based on food and cash assistance; water trucking (for human and
livestock consumption); rehabilitation of water resources; mobile health
clinics and expanded supplementary feeding centres; livestock off-take and
veterinary services for the surviving livestock form the first level of
phase1 (emergency phase) intervention strategies in November to January
2004. The intermediate interventions (February to April 04) will be
planned as the first level interventions are implemented and are likely to
include cash and/or food for work programmes targeting environmental
protection, public infrastructure, and strategic water development.
Expanded and more regular support to health infrastructure in affected
areas as well as measures to ensure the continuity of basic education in
drought-affected areas will also be developed. UN-OCHA will provide
coordination services in the field, at the regional capital level
(Hargeisa and Gorowe) and in Nairobi., and an operational base within the
Sool Plateau is being developed.

Humanitarian Access:

Irrespective of territorial claims, the current drought clearly transcends
political boundaries, and access to affected communities need be based on
practical considerations of logistics, cost and institutional structures.
Letters to the Somaliland and Puntland Authorities from the UN
Humanitarian Coordinator officially requesting unrestricted humanitarian
access has resulted in a formal agreement from the Puntland Authorities.
No written rely has been received from the Somaliland Authorities, and
reports indicate that they may insist on humanitarian supplies that are
targeting communities living in Somaliland to go through Berbera port.
This would be contrary to international humanitarian law, and OCHA will
continue to press for unhindered access to people in need.

MIDDLE AND LOWER JUBA

Political and Security Situation

In general the security situation of Middle and Lower Juba Regions remains
calm. However, there are increasing numbers of armed militia in Kismaayo
Town and reports of increased roadblocks and localised inter-clan clashes.

Prominent figures from the district authorities of Buale, Jamame, Afmadow
and Jilib districts have been brought into Kismaayo to meet the JVA
administration.

Mareere airport remains closed to UNCAS flights.

Humanitarian situation

The October consolidated briefing highlighted the plight of IDPs in the
two biggest and most populated IDP camps in Kismaayo, Dhumaase and
Ha'ideydo, which accommodated 350 and 46 families respectively. This
situation is still serious and conditions are worsening.

The October consolidated briefing also reported large and abnormal
livestock and human population movements in Afmadow and Badhaadhe
districts, although precise numbers were not known. The 2003 deyr rains
have been sporadic and localised. The Juba River water level is below
normal, affecting local dheshek (flood irrigation) farming, and the rains
have been very poor in the coastal areas of the Juba regions (in Kismaayo,
Jamame and Badhaadhe districts). In contrast, in the districts of Jilib,
Buale, Afmadow and Hagar good rains were received in the second week of
the month.

BAY AND BAKOOL

Humanitarian Situation

The humanitarian situation in Bay and Bakool is dominated by the conflict
and displacement of mainly women and children. As well as older men
indicating the nature and severity of the conflict. Since June 2002,
fighting in and around Baidoa between the combined militias of Muhammad
Ibrahim Habsade (RRA Deputy Chairman) and Shaykh Adan Madobe (RRA Deputy
Chairman), and the militia of Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud (RRA Chairman)
has led to population displacement on a large scale. This fighting,
predominantly between the clans of the Leysan and Harin, has led to some
of the worst killings in the region since 1991. Although reliable
information remains poor, fighting and the targeting of unarmed civilians,
including women and children, the burning of huts and the looting of grain
stores has been reported in a wide northern arc from Daynuney to the east
(between Baidoa and Buurhakaba) to Awdiinley in the west. (1) This has led
to waves of displacement of people from Harin villages in Baidoa district
to other Harin villages in Bay and Bakool regions, Buurhakaba, and
Mogadishu.

The situation of IDPs in Wajid district is one of the major humanitarian
concerns in Bay and Bakool region. However, little concrete information
has been received about this situation.  In Wajid district, the displaced
have moved into three main locations: Wajid town, Biilala village (30 km
from Wajid town in the direction of Baidoa), and Walaq village. (2) Some
arrived more than 40 days ago.

Although the short-term needs of shelter, water, food, and health
interventions are clear the displacement has longer-term repercussions
too. Agricultural activities in the Baidoa area, such as land preparation
and planting, ahead of the deyr rains, have halted and farms have been
abandoned. Undoubtedly, this will affect the availability of food in the
coming months. Until confidence in the security situation returns it is
likely that there is little hope of IDPs returning to their areas of
origin.

Since the end of October 2003, the elders of all Rahanweyn clans have been
involved in mediation between the two clans central to this conflict (and
the Rahanweyn in general). More recently, a temporary but uncertain
ceasefire has been maintained. Since this time there have been no further
killings or attacks. However, there is evidence that both clans are
re-arming and further fighting cannot be discounted.

The Wajid-Baidoa road connects Bay and Bakool, the different Rahanweyn
subclans in the region (including the Leysan and Harin), and aid agencies
to these three IDP sites. This road has been closed (and access is
restricted within a 40km radius of Baidoa) to all UN international staff
(and the movement of national staff is strictly controlled) since June
2002 when the conflict arose. Although there have been reports that a
number of people travelling on this road have been killed by militia and
land mines, the recent reconciliation efforts and subsequent cease-fire
agreement has led to an improved overall security situation, and greater
road traffic.

While access to these IDP sites is currently favourable, with no reported
incidents on the road for the last few weeks, the longer-term situation is
unclear. Security cannot be fully guaranteed until agreement is reached by
the Rahanweyn subclans, and particularly between the Leysan and Harin. UN
and (I)NGO staff, particularly those from these two sub-clans (and those
travelling in Leysan and Harin owned vehicles), should be careful using
this road. If fighting recommences there is a strong possibility that
landmines will be re-laid.

After an initial information gathering exercise by UNSECOORD and OCHA, in
the last week ACF, UNICEF, World Vision and WFP have undertaken
assessments of need and are drawing up a coordinated plan of action to
take advantage of this potentially limited window of opportunity. However,
information and access to IDPs in other areas (such as Mowlamad) remains
restricted.

HIRAN

Political and Security Situation

Despite localised banditry and minor unresolved and localised problems,
Hiran region has been generally stable in the past several weeks with the
key political actors away at the Somali national reconciliation
conference.

However, there have been several problems at Belet Weyne airstrip. These
have revolved around the airport militia demanding either an increase in
landing fees or an increase in passenger departure tax. The militia at the
airport have on many occasions tried to impose landing fees on
humanitarian flights, but they have been repeatedly informed by the
agencies that humanitarian flights are exempt (passengers currently pay a
departure tax of US$25, qat flights pay a landing fee of US$100). On the
12 November, during a meeting of the operational agencies in Belet Weyne
and facilitated by OCHA, a common position was agreed that an increase in
departure tax was unacceptable. After the intervention of the Ugas the
militia agreed to accept this position and the matter has been resolved.

Humanitarian situation

Delayed deyr rains are continuing to concern. SCF-UK, FSAU and OCHA have
conducted informal assessments and report that the situation of livestock
and local communities is deteriorating. Overgrazing of scarce pasture and
the abnormal exploitation of bush products are leading to environmental
degradation. In a letter addressed to the SACB Secretariat, the acting
Governor has also expressed his concerns over the current situation.

The abnormal indicators observed include the following:

   Abnormal trends in fodder prices both in the town and the villages from
   3, 000 SSH to 8,000 SSH per bundle.

   Increase in the price of milk.

   Spontaneous abortion by livestock, especially camels, due to excessive
   heat and poor pasture.

   Large-scale livestock migration.

   Fall in livestock prices, particularly cattle.

   Water shortage in pastoral areas.

   Livestock is in poor condition, especially shoats and cattle.

The December 2 coordination meeting of the Hiran Interagency Forum will
discuss this matter further. Clearly, this situation is of serious concern
that will require careful monitoring.

BENADIR

Political and Security Situation

Mogadishu has remained calm generally, with no factional clashes reported.
However, conditions of lawlessness prevail in some districts with numerous
incidents of retaliatory killings, carjacking, kidnapping and armed
robbery.  Individuals from minority groups, such as those of Arab origin
or Bantus and others with no clan/factional support in the city, are
particularly prone to these forms of criminality. In other parts of
Mogadishu zonal or area security groups organised by elders, the business
community and district committees are still effective.

Humanitarian situation

The political and administration executive committee of the Hagi Suleyman
sub-clan of the Habargedir have endorsed the opening of an Islamic court
and rehabilitation centre. As part of this initiative they also welcomed
joint cooperation and discussion with other clans in Mogadishu to counter
the lawlessness that blights much of the city.

GALGADUUD

Although reliable information is scarce, reports suggest that at least 20
people were killed and around 46 others wounded last week in renewed
fighting between the Marehan and Dir clans in Herale village of Abudwaq
district of Galgaduud region, some 80 km northwest of Dhusa-Marreb, the
regional capital. This adds to recent casualties at the end of October
when twenty-seven people were killed and 50 others were wounded.
Furthermore, large numbers of displaced are reported (in the order of
5-6,000 people), but accurate figures are not available. The plight of
those affected by conflict is further compounded by the prevailing drought
in the area. OCHA is exploring possible ways of gathering reliable
information on the situation.

Footnotes

(1) See ISHA human rights organisation November 2003 report 'Current women
and children violations', although the reported incidents have to be
verified.

(2) These IDPs are mainly from Harin villages in the Dambal (Baidoa
district) and Awdinle (Baidoa district) areas - Goofyarow, Guda, Moshi,
Midow, Busley, Belale, Goof Marere, Ali Weyne, Sharifay, Arbiyow, Warirey,
Godobay, Gadudey, Kayow, Humbow, and Baqdad.


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