OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
Report for February 2007
14 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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

HIGHLIGHTS

During February 2007, Mogadishu experienced escalating violence and 
insecurity with a stark increase in mortar attacks on strategic 
locations as well as indiscriminate shelling that resulted in dozens of 
civilian casualties. As a result of the unrest, according to UNHCR, over 
40,000 people fled the capital in the course of the month, moving to the 
regions of Lower and Middle Shabelle, Bay, Gedo, and as far as Hiran and 
Somaliland. The information is based on field reports, which are hard to 
confirm. The vast majority of those who left moved to areas where they 
benefit from clan support; others have settled in with host communities. 
Those who left mostly also had the means to do so. On the other hand, 
with fewer resources to pay their way, IDPs in the capital primarily 
moved to safer districts in the north of the city, to escape the 
violence. These movements too are hard to quantify. Insecurity in the 
capital has also resulted in reduced mobility and access, which is 
negatively impacting on the ability of humanitarian organizations to 
comprehensively respond to emerging needs. To reach the displaced, given 
the limitations imposed by insecurity, partners are looking at ways of 
reaching the displaced from, and in other locations. In early March, the 
first AMISOM troops arrived in Mogadishu. It is hoped that the 
deployment will improve the security environment for the delivery of 
humanitarian assistance.

Restricted access continues to characterize areas of southern Somalia, 
particularly the Juba regions. Lack of access to main airstrips in other 
key locations such as Merka (Lower Shabelle), Jowhar (Middle Shabelle) 
and K50 (Mogadishu) also undermines efforts to re-engage on a level that 
would facilitate a commensurate response to humanitarian needs. In this 
respect, discussions are ongoing with the TFG to address the situation. 
On a more positive note, since the cessation of major hostilities, a 
greater number of missions and movements of aid workers have been 
possible and efforts to reengage continue. Continued improved access in 
Galkayo (Mudug) is enabling aid organizations to respond to underserved 
IDPs in the area. Along the Kenyan-Somali border, progress was finally 
made in terms of cross-border movement of humanitarian supplies; at the 
time of drafting supplies were crossing without problems. Cross-border 
movement of asylum seekers, on the other hand, remains impossible and an 
outstanding concern.

Between 30 December 2006 and 2 March 2007, 3,633 cases of Acute Watery 
Diarrhea (AWD) have been recorded throughout southern Somalia, including 
143 deaths. The upsurge is linked to post-flooding conditions coupled 
with a lack of access to safe drinking water and poor sanitation 
practices. The largest caseload was registered in Hiran region but 
thanks to increased water and sanitation interventions, cases are now 
decreasing. Concern is now focused in and around Mogadishu, where cases 
of AWD are on the rise. Growing numbers of people fleeing the city 
amplify the risk of spreading to other locations, while limited mobility 
within the city also poses logistical and security challenges for aid 
workers to reach beneficiaries. Partners are ensuring pre-positioning of 
supplies and are stepping up activities, particularly in view of the 
coming Gu season.

According to the nineteenth Climate Outlook Forum for the Greater Horn 
of Africa, projections for the next rainy season in Somalia indicate a 
45% likelihood of normal rains, a 35% chance of below-normal, and a 20% 
chance of above-normal rains. Additionally, there is a high probability 
of near to above-normal rains in the upper catchments of the Juba and 
Shebelle rivers in Ethiopia. Southern Somalia thus faces the possibility 
of more flooding during the Gu season (mid-April ? mid-June), 
particularly in riverine areas. On the other hand, more rains could 
assist in the post-drought recovery process.

Given the current context, it is essential that the creation of an 
enabling environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance is 
supported and that partners remain committed to the process of 
stabilisation and reconciliation, building on positive developments and 
new opportunities for access. If Somalia slips back into anarchy, 
humanitarian space will inevitably be constricted. International support 
must be forthcoming, including to the 2007 Somalia CAP, presently being 
revised and which to date is only 14% funded. To support humanitarian 
re-engagement during this delicate period, a recent allocation of US$1 
million from the Central Emergency Response Fund will help enhance 
security support measures of operational agencies in Somalia, with the 
ultimate aim of increasing activities and access to vulnerable 
populations.

ACCESS and SECURITY

In Mogadishu, violence escalated during February with a stark increase 
in mortar attacks on strategic locations (airport, seaport, Villa 
Somalia, Ethiopian military bases, TFG posts), as well as indiscriminate 
shelling that resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. Violence has 
been on the increase since the start of the year. On 24 February, ICRC 
reported that "more than 430 war-wounded have been admitted to two of 
the city's three hospitals. In February alone, Keysaney and Medina 
hospital admitted more than 200 wounded, including at least 30 women and 
24 children." The exact death toll remains unconfirmed. Toward the end 
of the month, assassinations were also on the increase. On 6 March, more 
mortars were fired on the Mogadishu airport soon after the arrival of 
the first AMISOM Ugandan troops, and the following day an AMISOM convoy 
suffered an ambush. Insurgent groups have vowed to attack any troops 
that arrive in Mogadishu, raising concerns over the possibility of even 
more bouts of violence in the city.

In the absence of any one body able to provide security, local 
communities have armed and organized themselves to protect their 
neighbourhoods. As a result of the unrest, however, thousands of people 
have left Mogadishu, including IDPs living in settlements who have 
either moved north of the city to avoid attacks or moved out toward 
Afgoye (see protection section). Mobility within the capital has also 
shrunk, and while humanitarian activities continue, reduced mobility is 
negatively impacting on the ability of humanitarian organizations to 
comprehensively respond to emerging needs (for example, the increase in 
cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea). Insecurity has also required continuous 
review of transport routes to move supplies from the port.

In spite of such developments in the capital, since the cessation of 
major hostilities, a greater number of missions and movements of aid 
workers has been possible in other locations of South/Central, as 
airstrips have become accessible. Flights continued to fly to Galkayo 
(Mudug), Wajid (Bakool), Baidoa (Bay), Luuq (Gedo), Afmadow (Lower 
Juba), and Marerey (Middle Juba) during the reporting period, while 
cargo shipments reached Beletweyne (Hiran), Wajid, Buale (Middle Juba), 
and Jamame (Lower Juba), enabling continued pre-positioning of supplies. 
In Galkayo, improved access to the area is enabling the continuation of 
the response to IDPs. Additionally, following a UN joint mission on 
12-14 February, UNICEF and local authorities from South and North 
Galkayo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction 
of a "Peace School" along the 'green-line' to foster reconciliation. 
Land, easily accessible by children of both north and south, has already 
been allocated by the authorities. Additionally, to bolster the poor 
health facilities in the area, an agreement was reached with the 
authorities for UNICEF and UNFPA to provide Mother and Child Health 
(MCH) facilities in both sides of Galkayo town, while UNICEF also 
committed to resume a city water supply project that was interrupted in 
2003 due to strong tensions between the town's two communities.

After initial difficulties and delays, progress was also made on 
cross-border movement of humanitarian supplies. Following the 7 February 
directive by the Kenyan government, which instructed border officials to 
allow cross-border transport, supplies moved at Mandera (jetfuel) and El 
Wak (WFP food) border points. Shortly after, however, decisions to let 
supplies pass were again being made on an ad-hoc basis. The matter 
appears to have been resolved thanks to persistent demarches with the 
Kenyan authorities. On 1 March, WFP crossed 25 trucks of food at El Wak 
destined for Garbaharey and Burdubo (Gedo), and UNICEF relief trucks 
were able to cross and reach Baidoa (Bay). On 2 March, CARE (with the 
largest consignment stuck at the border since its closure in early 
January) started crossing food at Mandera. As of 8 March, around 1,718 
metric tons (MT) of CARE mixed commodities had been transported and 
distributed in El Wak (Gedo). At the time of drafting, trucks were still 
crossing and it is hoped that no more delays will occur to affect 
distribution and pre-positioning, particularly as the next rainy season 
approaches.

In other areas, challenges persist. In the Juba regions, despite TFG 
efforts to stabilise the situation, an inter-agency mission to Buale and 
Jamame to look into humanitarian needs since the flooding has been 
indefinitely postponed. Heightened local tensions also prompted the 
relocation of staff members of an international NGO from Buale to 
Nairobi. All missions to Buale remain temporarily suspended. In Kismayo, 
meanwhile, access remained obstructed by the ongoing military presence 
in the area.

Notwithstanding continued efforts to secure flights into Merka (Lower 
Shabelle) and Jowhar (Middle Shabelle), a lack of local security 
arrangements and assurances on the ground - coupled with a continued 
lack of local counterparts - prevent the scaling up of humanitarian 
activities. Discussions with the TFG are ongoing to see to it that the 
situation is reversed to enable access to these under-served yet highly 
vulnerable areas. The discussions will also include access to K50 
airstrip (close to Mogadishu), which humanitarian organisations have 
lately not been allowed to use.

With respect to movement of supplies into Somalia, the hijacking of the 
just unloaded WFP-contracted vessel off the Puntland coast on 25 
February raises concerns of a resumption of insecurity at sea as a 
result. This is the first act of piracy in nine months and WFP has 
announced that it is already facing difficulties in contracting ships. 
Since late February, the Agency has around 2,400 MT of food aid at port 
in Tanzania waiting to be shipped.

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