OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
Monthly report for August 2005
15 September 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This report was written in cooperation with the UN Agencies in Somalia

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

The UN Independent Expert on Human Rights for Somalia urges the 
international community to give more attention to the human rights 
situation in the country. Between 22 August and 1 September, Dr. Ghanim 
Alnajjar completed his fifth fact-finding mission to the region since 
being appointed Independent Expert by the UN Secretary-General in June 
2001. In his opening to a media briefing, the Independent Expert 
strongly condemned the assassination of human rights defenders and 
journalists in Somalia and paid tribute to those who have lost their 
lives in the performance of their duties.

In southern and central Somalia, while the prevailing security 
conditions have continued to remain tense and volatile in most regions, 
recent improvements in specific areas could provide new opportunities 
for access and humanitarian engagement. Much of the change has stemmed 
from pressure from the communities who fatigued with ongoing strife have 
demanded better social services and accountability of their leadership. 
In Lower Juba, following UNDSS's comprehensive security assessment, the 
recommendation to down-grade the security phase in Kismayo has been 
approved. This will enable a gradual resumption of UN activities in the 
area and increased access to vulnerable communities. A UNDSS assessment 
in Merka, Lower Shabelle, also found conditions amenable for the 
resumption of activities.

Meanwhile, in Gedo, more than four months after the outbreak of fighting 
between the Marehan and Gare in El Wak, the outcome of a peace 
initiative may provide an opportunity to re-engage in access 
negotiations to assist an estimated 15,000 displaced by the fighting. 
The two clans have agreed to a ceasefire and unconfirmed numbers of IDPs 
have reportedly been returning to El Wak.

Several windows of opportunity exist now in Somalia to fight HIV/AIDS 
which other African countries never had at this stage of the epidemic in 
the early 1980s. With a median prevalence rate of 0.9%, Somalia is at a 
level of the HIV/AIDS epidemic which allows for a successful preventive 
response - an opportunity that must not be missed.

Consultations for the 2006 Somalia CAP took place in the course of 
August with involvement of over 250 people representing UN agencies, 
local and international NGOs and local authorities. Aid partners agreed 
that almost one million people - including 370,000-400,000 IDPs - found 
to be in urgent need of assistance will be the priority target group for 
the humanitarian response in 2006. Particular attention will go toward 
assisting 169,000 people who are experiencing a Humanitarian Emergency 
along the Juba Valley - an area beset by high morbidity and malnutrition 
rates (as high as 20% in some areas), chronic food insecurity and more 
recently, flooding. In view of the Joint Needs Assessment that has 
begun, in Somalia the CAP will as of now focus more directly on 
humanitarian priorities while ensuring a link to longer term 
rehabilitation and development.

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