OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
15 December 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OVERVIEW OF HUMANITARIAN ACCESS IN SOMALIA

Humanitarian access in Somalia remains critical to the country's most 
vulnerable populations in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and 
protection (estimated at one million) - and particularly the large 
number who reside in south/central region who are extremely food 
insecure or internally displaced. In recent years lack of sustained 
humanitarian access and restricted operating space in south/central have 
been major factors affecting human survival (as well s limiting 
operational capacity of aid organizations) in the region. In 2005, the 
operating environment for humanitarian relief operations remained 
varied. Some areas including Somaliland and Puntland experienced 
political development, economic recovery and relative stability with 
humanitarian access in general unhindered, although frequent reports 
indicate that some aid workers have been targeted in Puntland. Other 
areas in south/central remained dangerous and unstable with attempts to 
provide assistance and protection to the most vulnerable groups mostly 
ad hoc and event driven. Responses in south/central were often delayed 
as the humanitarian community struggled to negotiate access with local 
authorities. Access was further complicated by flooding and poor road 
infrastructure.

Since the outbreak of civil war in 1991 and the massive humanitarian 
operation launched in its wake, aid in Somalia has been highly 
politicised. Trends show there have been moves to divert, block and 
attempt to control, directly or indirectly, the delivery of humanitarian 
assistance and protection in order to strengthen the power bases of 
faction leaders, usually along clan lines. As a result the provision of 
aid can be as much a source of conflict, as well as a source of relief; 
the outcome being that its delivery has not always been possible or has 
been interrupted due to the fact that the safety and security of 
humanitarian relief workers cannot be assured. Faction or freelance 
militia with an interest in a geographical area either 1)prevent aid 
from reaching opposing or minority clans; 2)prevent the rehabilitation 
of and access to natural resources such as water and land required for 
survival; 3)influence agencies to hire staff and provide contracts for 
goods and services that favour their own kin or allies.

A series of serious security incidents in October/November 2005 
including piracy of ships carrying humanitarian relief off the south 
coast and a recent wave of assassinations in Mogadishu worsened access 
in south/central. This has implications for the delivery of aid to the 
most vulnerable populations identified as being in Humanitarian 
Emergency, Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis or displaced.

Between March and November 2005 more than twenty boats were hijacked off 
the Somali coast and the trend does not appear to be decreasing. Kenyan 
vessel owners are becoming very reluctant to use the southern Somali 
waters and are asking for armed escort to deliver World Food Programmes 
(WFP) commodities or UN relief. The temporary halt of sea transport is 
also impacting on the availability of fuel in south Somalia, directly 
affecting the humanitarian flights into the area. The southern Somali 
coastline is one of the most dangerous in the world and WFP's operations 
in southern Somalia have felt the consequences. The Agency is thus 
exploring alternative transport routes, including overland from Kenya 
and via Djibouti to reach those in desperate need of food assistance.

The situation has been further complicated by reports indicating that 
extremist groups pose an increased threat to humanitarian workers. This 
has led to the need to improve security standards and is likely to 
impact on humanitarian operating space. Mines are still being laid in 
southern Somalia, and the ongoing insecurity in the region has hindered 
a comprehensive plan to deal with them.

As the TFG strives to assert its authority, the role of all stakeholders 
in supporting local recovery and reconciliation processes through their 
presence and programmes is becoming more critical than ever ? and 
'access' remains a key factor to this success. The development of a 
common understanding and an agreed strategy on access may help promote 
collective and high level action within the country to ensure access is 
more easily secured in the future.

Since late 2005, OCHA has been leading the UN's initiative to maximize 
access opportunities in south/central where authorities have shown 
commitment to engaging (assisting with access) with humanitarian 
organizations. In future, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and related 
addendum will be signed between regional/local authorities and the UN to 
provide a framework for unimpeded access, protection and movement of 
relief aid to vulnerable populations.

Where it proves difficult to access vulnerable groups in south/central 
in 2006 the humanitarian community will also be looking to work closely 
with local Somali partners and empower them to carry out the 
implementation and monitoring of humanitarian activities.

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