OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
27 April 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Main Developments

Following several days of fierce fighting in Mogadishu in which 
TFG/Ethiopian forces exchanged heavy artillery and gunfire with 
anti-government factions, the TFG is claiming to have taken control of 
much of the city. There have been reports of widespread looting. The TFG 
claim comes at the end of an intensely violent week. A car bomb exploded 
on 24 April outside the Ambassador Hotel, a base for Somali lawmakers, 
reportedly killing seven civilians. A second car bomb, a possible 
suicide attack, exploded outside an Ethiopian military base 30 km from 
the city on the road to Afgoye. The headquarters of local NGO DBG 
(Daryeel Bulsho Guud) was hit during the week, reportedly injuring 
agency staff, while on 26 April, SOS children's and maternity hospital 
was struck by mortars, reportedly resulting in the death of several 
patients. The hospital was closed and all staff evacuated. Civilians 
have continued to flee Mogadishu, with the latest estimate of 
displacement standing at 365,000. Residents are reporting that sections 
of the city are almost entirely deserted.

There are signs that the insecurity in Mogadishu is having a 
destabilizing effect on other regions. On 23 April, serious clan 
fighting erupted in Kismayo (Lower Juba) over control of the city, 
resulting in at least 11 dead and 40 wounded. The fighting is a setback 
for humanitarian access, following last week's inter-agency mission to 
Kismayo, the first to the city since December 2006. It was hoped that 
this mission, which met with local authorities and partners about 
increasing the humanitarian response in Kismayo, represented a 
breakthrough in access. Kismayo is host to an estimated 3,500 new IDPs 
from Mogadishu, as well as other vulnerable populations.

UN technical agency SWALIM has issued a flood warning for Jowhar (Middle 
Shabelle). Observed river levels at Jowhar rose by almost 3m in 5 days 
due to runoff from tributaries in Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions 
following heavy rains in the area. The extent of flooding may be 
mitigated by recent repairs of river embankments. However, there are an 
estimated 16,000 IDPs in Jowhar who have recently fled Mogadishu, and 
any localized flooding in the area will worsen their already desperate 
circumstances. Meanwhile, observed river levels at Beletweyne and Bulo 
Burti (Hiran) also continued to rise over the last week, as did levels 
at Luuq and Bardheere on the Juba. The rainfall forecast for the coming 
week is for moderate to heavy rains in Somalia, especially in the Juba 
catchment.

The number of cholera/Acute Watery Diarrhea cases in South/Central since 
1 January is estimated to be over 17,000, with 600 related deaths. Cases 
are still primarily concentrated in Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle. With 
continuing displacement and the onset of the Gu rains, the number of 
cases is expected to continue to rise.

Displacement

The latest figures from UNHCR estimate that 365,000 people have been 
displaced from Mogadishu between 1 February and 27 April. This figure 
represents almost a third of the city's estimated population. Around 
84,000 are in Lower Shabelle; over 63,000 in Middle Shabelle; around 
109,000 in Galgadud; and 40,000 in Mudug. The majority of IDPs are said 
to be women, children and the elderly, with those in the areas around 
Mogadishu still considered to be the most vulnerable. The displacement 
from Mogadishu is the largest movement of people in the world so far 
this year.

Access and Response

Following a meeting in Baidoa on 23 April between members of the TFG and 
UN officials, the TFG has made certain assurances regarding humanitarian 
access. The government has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee 
(chaired by the Minister for Health) as a designated focal point for the 
humanitarian response to the present crisis. The Committee confirmed the 
opening of all civilian airstrips for humanitarian organizations, 
including the key airstrips of Merka and K50. It is hoped that these 
declarations by the TFG will pave the way for increased humanitarian 
access and assistance, though security assessments and guarantees are 
still required.

WFP was able to move a convoy carrying 320 mt of food from its Mogadishu 
warehouse for distribution to 32,000 IDPs at six sites along the road 
out of Mogadishu. The distribution was given the green light at the 
meeting between TFG and UN officials on 23 April. While the successful 
delivery is a positive sign, movement by road of humanitarian supplies 
and staff within Somalia continues to be problematic due to general 
insecurity and the harassment of aid workers at checkpoints. The road 
between Mogadishu and Baidoa is insecure, with reports of banditry, 
murder and rapes in the last two weeks. The roads linking Mogadishu with 
Afgoye and Merka have been closed sporadically due to military activity, 
hindering attempts to move supplies to the thousands of IDPs in these 
areas. Moreover, agencies continue to have difficulty accessing 
warehouses in Mogadishu where needed pre-positioned supplies are stored. 
Although UNHCR was able to remove some NFIs this week from Mogadishu for 
distribution in Afgoye, the vast majority of UNICEF/UNHCR warehoused 
supplies have remained inaccessible. Additionally, CARE has 1,371mt of 
food in Mogadishu destined for 60,000 IDPs in Galgadud and South Mudug 
that it has been unable to move due to insecurity in the capital.

Agencies and NGOs have, with local partners, been able to mount some 
response despite restrictions and insecurity. UNHCR supplied NFIs to 
approximately 36,000 IDPs in Afgoye last weekend, including plastic 
sheets, blankets, kitchen sets and jerry cans. Three more flights 
carrying UNHCR NFIs have landed in Baidoa with supplies for an 
additional 15,000 IDPs in Afgoye. UNHCR is attempting to move the NFIs 
by truck for distribution. CARE and CONCERN have delivered NFIs to 
around 23,000 displaced in and around Merka. WHO, UNICEF, MDM and others 
have provided chlorine, cholera kits and medical supplies to health 
facilities and partners in various locations. However, due to the 
difficulties of reaching some displaced populations, gaps remain in the 
major areas of water and sanitation, health, food and shelter materials.

CARE completed today an assessment in Brava (Lower Shabelle), reporting 
15,900 IDPs (2,650 households). The assessment team will return to Merka 
to finalize registration of IDP households not covered in Merka during 
CARE's first round of distribution. The NGO will distribute UNICEF 
Family Relief Kits (FRK) to over 7,000 families in Merka and Brava. The 
FRKs are expected to sail from Mombasa this weekend for distribution 
next week.

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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