OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
27 December 2006


Main Developments

Heavy fighting in Somalia entered its eighth day today, with 
TFG/Ethiopian forces taking Jowhar (Middle Shabelle) from the ICU. 
TFG/Ethiopia forces are reportedly moving forward from Dinsor towards 
Buale, and from Burhakaba towards Lower Shabelle. ICU forces are said to 
be retreating from Kismayo to Mogadishu. Ethiopia conducted limited air 
strikes on the airports in Mogadishu and Baledogle (100km northwest of 
Mogadishu) on 25 December. TFG forces and their allies have now taken 
control of several areas from the ICU, including the towns of 
Bandiradley (Galkayo), Beletweyne and Bulo Burti (Hiran), and Dinsor and 
Burhakaba (Bay). Although numbers of casualties resulting from the 
recent fighting are difficult to confirm, according to ICRC there have 
been over 800 war-wounded in southern Somalia since the intensification 
of conflict began on 19 December.

Lower and Middle Juba are said to be calm, as are Somaliland and 
Puntland in the north. However, protection and security concerns exist 
in relation to the potential influx of IDPs into the north, especially 
with regard to Puntland.

Displacement

Conflict-related displacement has so far been short-term and largely 
internal, with people moving within districts where conflict is 
occurring, returning to their homes when conflict ceases. No large-scale 
influx of asylum seekers into Kenya has been reported, though this is 
expected to change. Conflict and bad road conditions (due to recent 
flooding) are likely limiting cross-border movement. UNHCR Kenya is in 
discussions with Kenyan authorities on creating additional capacity in 
Kenya to absorb a surge in refugees.

Large-scale displacement is now being reported in various locations. An 
estimated 3,000 displaced families arrived in south Galkayo (Mudug) in 
the last two weeks - with 1,000 of these having arrived in the last 
seven days. There is additional displacement into north Galkayo although 
numbers are unconfirmed. Elsewhere in Mudug, the coastal district of 
Jariban is said to be receiving about 1,000 IDPs from Beletweyne. 
Jariban is difficult to access and there is no potable water for the 
IDPs.

Movement of as many as 9,000 people has been reported from Bay region 
towards the Shabelles, Buale (Middle Juba), and particularly Mogadishu. 
Beletweyne (Hiran), where recently flood-displaced people had begun 
returning to their homes, has registered renewed displacement. It is 
estimated that between 30% of residents remain locally displaced. In 
Bay, movement is also being reported from Burhakaba and Idale to various 
points, though exact figures are unconfirmed.

Access and Response

Security and access permitting, UN agencies and partner NGOs will 
attempt to build on the ongoing flood response to deliver assistance to 
new IDPs and conflict-affected populations. However, the outbreak of 
fighting is severely undermining access to affected populations and 
provision of assistance, as security concerns are now overlaid onto 
flooding. The Jowhar-Beletweyne-Galkayo road is said to be blocked and 
insecure to travel. Two WFP helicopters stationed in Kismayo that were 
being used for the flood response have been moved to Kenya and air drops 
have been temporarily suspended. The TFG announced the closure of 
Somalia's international borders on security grounds, which has 
effectively resulted in a suspension of humanitarian flights into 
Somalia. The Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator is 
optimistic that humanitarian flights into Somalia will resume shortly.

Meanwhile, plans for humanitarian assistance to IDPs are underway. 
Pending receipt of written approval from the TFG, WFP cargo flights to 
Kismayo and other flood-affected regions will resume. Priority areas for 
intervention have been identified as Galkayo, Beletweyne, Mogadishu and 
Kismayo. In Galkayo, health, water/sanitation, and shelter are urgently 
needed. In Beletweyne, water/sanitation remains the most serious 
concern, while in Mogadishu, health and water/sanitation are 
prioritized.

For further information, contact:

Molly McCloskey or Amanda di Lorenzo at +254 (20) 375 4150-5 
mccloskeym@un.org, dilorenzoa@un.org

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