OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
Report for November 2006
11 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Heavy rains in Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands during November 
brought large-scale flooding to parts of southern Somalia, with an 
estimated 444,000 displaced in the Juba and Shabelle riverine regions as 
of 4 December. Flooding has resulted in extensive destruction of 
property, as well as livestock and crop loss. The heaviest rains fell in 
Middle and Lower Juba; in the downstream reaches of the Juba, widespread 
inundation was seen, as dozens of villages were totally flooded and 
others cut off. On the Shabelle, in early November river levels in 
Beletweyne (Hiran) rose dramatically, hitting a 50-year return period 
and inundating 80% of Beletweyne. The situation in the upper reaches of 
both rivers has reportedly stabilized; however, in the lower reaches, 
the Juba and Shabelle rivers have now merged, resulting in rising river 
levels and increased risk of flooding in Middle/Lower Juba. Due to a 
prevailing El Nino, Deyr rains may continue into 2007, with their impact 
being felt most acutely in the lower reaches of the two rivers, 
particularly the Juba. In a worst case scenario, as many as 900,000 
Somalis could become displaced if flooding continues through December 
2006.

A multi-agency response to flooding that began in September was 
significantly stepped up during the month. Water and sanitation issues 
were prioritized as the threat of vector and water-borne diseases 
increased, followed by non-food items (NFIs) and food. In Hiran region, 
where the emergency response has been adequate, activities are now 
shifting to more programmatic interventions. In Middle Shabelle, Middle 
and Lower Juba, interventions are still focused on emergency response. 
The delivery of assistance, however, remains hampered by access 
problems. Several primary roads are impassable while some airstrips are 
either rundown or unusable. In response to these logistical challenges, 
humanitarian partners have procured more boats to move to different 
locations where villages and communities are marooned. Two helicopters 
have also been secured by WFP which are offering additional and much 
needed air logistics support to UN and NGO operations. Flights are in 
many cases the only means of transporting aid supplies.

The current floods exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation and 
any delay in the mobilization of assistance puts the lives of those 
affected at additional risk. Moreover, Somalia is facing increasing risk 
of conflict. Any outbreak of fighting resulting from deterioration in 
the present political stand-off would be disastrous, resulting in 
massive internal displacement, civilian casualties, and further 
livelihood and asset erosion. Conflict in Somalia would undoubtedly also 
have regional consequences, including the movement of thousands of 
people into neighbouring countries. The ability of Somalis to cope with 
worsening floods and an already precarious food security situation would 
be significantly decreased and the humanitarian community's ability to 
access those in need, and carry out life-saving operations would be 
seriously undermined. Given the possibility of conflict, pre-positioning 
and restocking of relief supplies in-country is of paramount importance. 
In August 2006, 1.4 million people (in addition to 400,000 internally 
displaced) were identified as being in need of urgent humanitarian 
assistance and protection. Of these, 1.1 million reside in southern 
regions where the flooding is concentrated.

The total needs for the ongoing flood response operations have been 
estimated at around US$ 28.6 million, of which roughly US$ 10.4 million 
have been sourced through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). 
The funds still required for emergency operations thus stand at around 
US$ 18.2 million for which the humanitarian community in Somalia 
appealed in a Flood Response Plan launched on 6 December. The Plan 
covers immediate life-saving activities in the priority sectors of 
health, water/sanitation, nutrition, food, logistics, protection, 
education, livelihoods and early recovery for the next three months.

On 14 December, the Somalia CAP for 2007 will be launched in Nairobi, 
appealing for around US$ 237 million to target the needs of 1.8 million 
people. Based on the flood response that organizations will be able to 
implement, the CAP 2007 will be adjusted accordingly during the course 
of next year.

ACCESS and SECURITY

Since the start of the Deyr season, the delivery of humanitarian 
assistance has been hampered by access problems resulting from 
torrential rains and severe flooding. Several primary roads are 
impassable while airstrips are either rundown or unusable because of the 
rains. Additionally, increasing reports of potential widespread conflict 
raise serious concerns about future access. Any outbreak of fighting 
resulting from deterioration in the present political stand-off would 
not only have a disastrous impact on the ability of Somalis to cope with 
worsening floods and exacerbate an already precarious food security 
situation, but would seriously undermine the humanitarian community's 
ability to access those in need and carry out life-saving operations. 
During the month, rising tension around Burhakaba, Baidoa, and 
particularly Dinsor, prompted local residents to move to safer areas.

Disengagement from Somalia is not an option and, in response to the 
complex access challenges, the UN is finding alternative ways of 
reaching vulnerable populations. UN national staff members continue to 
operate humanitarian activities. Meanwhile, with regard to the 
resumption of international presence in southern and central regions, 
the UN began in November, to deploy regular short-term flying-teams 
targeting identified priority areas and concerns. Increased cooperation 
is also being sought with local authority structures on the ground to 
ensure sustained and secure humanitarian access to affected areas. The 
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) 
have both established Emergency Flood Committees with clear focal points 
for humanitarian agencies to work with. Information is regularly 
exchanged with both Committees to ensure awareness of planned activities 
and movements of assets and supplies.

In Hiran, Middle/Lower Shabelle and Middle/Lower Juba, floods and 
torrential rains have rendered many areas inaccessible by road. In the 
Jubas, in particular, flooding is occurring in areas where the 
humanitarian community has limited operational presence and capacity. 
This fact, combined with flooded and impassable roads, is making it 
difficult to obtain timely and comprehensive information on flood 
developments and impact. In Bay and Bakool regions, the combined effects 
of insecurity and weather conditions are affecting access.

In mid November, when Beleteweyne (Hiran) was first hit by flooding, 
organizations such as UNICEF, CARE, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and 
Save the Children ? UK were quick to transport relief supplies to 
Beletweyne from locations as far as Mogadishu, Hargeisa (Somaliland) and 
Bossaso (Puntland), but not without logistical challenges and taking 
longer though more accessible routes. (Three UNICEF trucks carrying 
supplies from Hargeisa to Belet Weyne through Ethiopia's Region 5 were 
held in Ethiopia for several days before being released.) Two WFP 
convoys have been stuck for more than a month due to flooded roads ? one 
in Lower Juba (23km from Dobley) and another between Kamsuma and 
Kismayo. In the latter case, the food has now been distributed by boat 
in Jamame.

In response to these constraints, the UN has launched a special 
flood-response operation involving helicopters and boats to deliver 
relief supplies to affected villages that are inaccessible by road. WFP 
has stationed two helicopters in Wajid for the duration of the operation 
which will offer additional and much needed air logistics support to UN 
agencies and NGOs. The first helicopter delivery of food took place on 6 
December, landing in Arare (Lower Juba). Nine boats have been dispatched 
by WFP and six by UNICEF; a number of NGOs also have boats in Somalia 
for delivery of relief supplies. OCHA also deployed two UN Disaster and 
Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) staff members to Wajid to support 
coordination, assessments and delivery of assistance.

The situation in Mogadishu remained stable during the reporting period, 
with UN agencies and NGOs continuing interventions in the areas of 
nutrition, water/sanitation, education, health, community/youth 
mobilization, HIV/AIDS awareness and population movement monitoring. 
Subsequent to three previous humanitarian missions (July, August and 
September), on 3 December, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia 
traveled to Mogadishu to meet with the ICU Flood and Emergency Relief 
Committee to discuss flood response operations and coordination 
mechanisms at field level between local ICU structures, Nairobi and 
operational agencies on the ground. MI8 helicopters arrive in Wajid to 
support air relief operations for flood affected areas in southern 
Somalia. Source: OCHA

PROTECTION

The bulk of displacement during the month of November occurred as a 
result of heavy flooding along riverine areas. In most cases, affected 
groups experienced "localized displacement" meaning they evacuated their 
homes and moved to "safer" areas on higher ground and/or further away 
from the rivers.

The number of people moving because of security related concerns 
(whether within Somalia or across neighbouring borders), on the other 
hand, was considerably lower than in previous months as flooding of 
roads made it difficult for vehicles to reach destinations along the 
Kenya/Somalia border. Rising tensions and fear of conflict in Bay region 
during the month prompted some residents to move away from Baidoa and 
surrounding areas, while paradoxically around 800 residents who had left 
Bay region during the drought earlier this year were reported to have 
returned, believing the situation to have improved with the rains.

By the end of November, lingering effects of the September Presidential 
Decree in Puntland which clamped down on human smuggling, included both 
irregular and arbitrary arrests of new arrivals (those of IDPS as well 
as foreign migrants), and reverse movements of IDPs from Bossaso back 
down to Galkayo. That said, reports of people moving to Bossaso with the 
intention of crossing over to Yemen are still coming in. Between 1 and 
27 November, approximately 3,617 Somalis and Ethiopians crossed from 
Bossaso into Yemen aboard 30 boats while eight Ethiopians and ten 
Somalis died in different accidents. Indeed, comparisons with statistics 
from the same period last year show an equal if not higher movement 
trend. The number of people reported to have arrived in Yemen during the 
months of September and October 2006 are double the 2005 numbers for the 
same months, while November followed the same trend.

The total number of arrivals in Yemen between 1 January and 27 November 
has now reached 23,024 Somalis and Ethiopians on board 188 ships. In the 
same timeframe, 325 migrants and potential asylum seekers drowned or 
died attempting the crossing, while an additional 152 have gone missing. 
Most Somali new arrivals are young men from southern Somalia, including 
the cities of Mogadishu, Baidoa and Kismayo, and the region of Lower 
Juba.

Following the issuance of the Presidential Decree, a temporary 'transit 
and processing center' had been established in Bossaso on 19 October, to 
screen 500 Ethiopian migrants who had been held by the Puntland 
authorities. UNHCR and IOM, in collaboration with other key humanitarian 
partners (DRC, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO) and local authorities provided 
basic assistance and conducted interviews to identify potential asylum 
seekers, individuals who wished to return home, or anyone with special 
needs (unaccompanied minors, trafficked individuals). In November, as 
agreed with the Puntland Authorities, over 200 Ethiopians were 
identified and returned to Ethiopia with assistance from IOM. At the 
same time, following an agreement between UNHCR and the Ministry of 
Interior, the Puntland Refugee Affairs Committee (RAC) began registering 
and referring asylum seekers to UNHCR for Refugee Status Determination 
(RSD) services. By 24 November, 96 asylum seekers were registered by the 
RAC and are currently being processed through UNHCR's RSD services. As 
agreed with UNHCR, Puntland authorities officially closed the temporary 
'transit and processing center' on 24 November, with the RAC continuing 
to register asylum seekers for ongoing referral to UNHCR. The RAC's 
temporary setup in Bossaso will close on 31 December with normal, 
regular asylum seeker/refugee registration services to be maintained in 
Puntland's capital, Garowe, with UNHCR's technical support.

During the first week in December, IDPs were evicted from public 
buildings in Baidoa and moved to two sites in Baidoa town. Many of the 
evicted families originally came from Hudur (Bakool) and Qansahdere 
(Bay) and are mainly economic migrants. However, pastoralists who lost 
livestock during the flooding over the last month have reportedly also 
joined these IDPs, whose eviction coincided with three days of heavy 
rain in the area, making shelter concerns critical. A total of 260 
evicted families have been registered from both sites but it is reported 
that more people continue to arrive. UNICEF is dispatching NFIs to the 
two sites. The evictions come in the midst of a deteriorating security 
situation in Baidoa and in the wider Bay region. In late November, a car 
loaded with explosives detonated at a checkpoint on the southern edge of 
Baidoa town and fighting took place between TFG and ICU forces on 9 
December along the Dinsor - Baidoa road.

Following a desk review conducted in June-August 2006, the IDP Profiling 
Project ? a global initiative being tested in Somalia - is now being 
rolled-out on the ground in Bossaso (Puntland), implemented by the DRC 
in close collaboration with other agencies. A local NGO was contracted 
as partner and has provided numerators. The IDP population in Bossaso 
town is estimated at about 4,000 households in 16 settlements and the 
profiling will cover a 20% sample of these in each IDP settlement. The 
experience from Bossaso will contribute to the development of procedures 
and manuals to guide the profiling exercise in a number of other 
locations in Somalia, such as Mogadishu. The profiling exercise aims to 
improve the knowledge of the extent and pattern of displacement in 
Somalia, as well as the understanding of the different levels and 
situations of displacement. This will ultimately enable the 
identification of shortandlong-term interventions to meet the basic 
needs of IDPs and address underlying protection related problems.

Realizing that one of the most important avenues for improved protection 
is the mobilization of those in need of protection themselves, during 
the last five months, UNHCR with support from DRC, has conducted a study 
in Puntland and Somaliland to identify approaches that enhance a 
community's capacity to protect itself. The study also formulated 
community based methods and initiatives that can improve the protection 
of the IDPs. One of the findings of the study is that traditional 
structures in Somalia still play a significant role in terms of 
protection and that, even when clan protection is very weak, members of 
the IDP communities have more trust in their traditional leaders to 
protect them than they do in their local authorities. The study thus 
recommends that operational agencies support these traditional 
structures to negotiate with the host clans. Workshops with traditional 
leaders focusing on human rights issues and good governance are already 
taking place; however, this approach could be strengthened and developed 
as a method to enhance the community based capacity.

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