OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
26 January 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Main Developments

The UN inter-agency mission to Mogadishu proceeded as planned on 24 
January despite a mortar attack on the airport that morning. Members of 
the mission met with representatives of the TFG and civil society 
groups, as well as with UN national staff. The development of a joint 
strategy for durable solutions for IDPs was discussed, as was the 
immediate provision of assistance to IDPs. Following consultations, it 
was decided that IDP profiling (to determine needs, living conditions, 
populations, etc) would begin this weekend to coincide with the 
distribution of humanitarian assistance. Community consultations at the 
district level have also begun regarding the development of a 
longer-term strategy for solutions for and protection of IDPs.

Following the US military air strike in southern Somalia on Monday 
night, there have been unconfirmed reports of civilian casualties and 
displacement.

Displacement

According to field reports, an estimated 1,000 people left Mogadishu 
during the month of January 2007 due to fear of conflict and 
instability. The displaced have moved to various areas, including 
Baidoa, Galkayo, Dhobley, and Bossaso.

Displacement prompted by inter-clan fighting has also been reported. In 
Mudug region, 160 people moved from Baxdo (Cadaado district) to Dhinowda 
Dhiley (Hobyo district) over the last couple of weeks. Another 180 
people have moved from Do'mo (Galkayo district) to Galkayo town. Both 
groups are reported to be in need of assistance and, in many cases, are 
selling or slaughtering their livestock to purchase food and water. Clan 
conflict in Lower Juba has resulted in 54 people moving from Barhaani to 
Qotoyo. Seven people are reported to have been killed in the fighting 
between Mareehan and Gal-Je'el clans.

The majority of IDPs displaced in Lower Shabelle as a result of flooding 
in late 2006 have now returned to their homes.

Access and Response

Following the mortar attack on Mogadishu airport on 24 January, security 
clearance for landing of UN aircraft in the capital has been suspended 
until further notice, pending a review of security. Jamame (Lower Juba) 
airstrip is now open to UN flights with special permission.

Negotiations with Kenyan authorities to allow trucks carrying 
humanitarian supplies overland into Somalia continue. Humanitarian cargo 
that has been waiting to cross for over a week includes 3,600mt of food 
aid for distribution in Gedo, NFIs for various agencies, and fuel 
destined for Wajid to support air operations within Somalia. Earlier 
this week, emergency fuel was flown to Wajid from Nairobi and 
transported overland from Mogadishu in order to avert a complete 
stoppage of flights from Wajid. However, the fuel supplies will only 
last for approximately ten days.

The number of checkpoints on the Mogadishu-Baidoa road is said to have 
diminished while checkpoints elsewhere are reportedly increasing. 
Meanwhile, control of the main ports ? Mogadishu and Kismayo ? remains 
contentious.

As part of the continuing response to IDPs in Galkayo, two flights 
carrying 5,000 plastic sheets supplied by UNHCR arrived in Galkayo this 
week from Mombasa. The sheeting complements materials already flown to 
Galkayo by other agencies. Shelter-to-shelter verification of the IDP 
population in north Galkayo has been completed; a similar exercise for 
south Galkayo is pending. Approximately 5,000 IDP households are 
estimated to be in North and South Galkayo at present, including a small 
number of conflict-displaced and a large majority of longer-term 
displaced.

Reports detailing response activities by cluster (Who does What Where) 
are available on the OCHA website at 
http://ochaonline2.un.org/Default.aspx?tabid=5066

For further information, contact:

Molly McCloskey (mob: +254 727 659 100) or Rita Maingi
   (mob + 254 722 334 671)
Office: +254 (20) 375 4150-5
mccloskeym@un.org, maingir@un.org

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