OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
4 May 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Main Developments

Following two weeks of extremely heavy fighting between TFG/Ethiopian 
troops and anti-TFG factions, Mogadishu has been calm since 27 April. 
According to UNHCR, about 800 IDPs have so far returned to the city. 
However, the overwhelming majority of those who fled Mogadishu in the 
past two to three months are not yet attempting to return, largely due 
to fear of renewed fighting.

After serious clan fighting in Kismayo over control of the city on 23 
April which resulted in at least 11 deaths, tension and small clashes 
have continued in Kismayo and south of the city. It is feared that the 
two clans involved are preparing for more fighting, perhaps in the area 
between Jamame and Kismayo. Kismayo is host to an estimated 3,500 new 
IDPs from Mogadishu, as well as other vulnerable populations.

The seven-day weather forecast for the period up to 10 May predicts 
moderate rains for many parts of Somalia, while heavy rains are forecast 
for parts of the upper catchments in the Ethiopian highlands and in 
Lower Shabelle region. Observed river levels at Jowhar remained very 
high this week, reaching the bank-full level of 5m and leading to river 
bank breakages at Halgan and Marerey in Jowhar district. A moderate risk 
of flooding remains for the lower reaches of the Shabelle. Observed 
river levels at Luuq and Bardheere on the Juba river remained stable 
over the last week, although levels in the downstream reaches are 
expected to increase in the coming week due to rainfall. There is 
minimal risk of flooding along the Juba in the coming days.

Displacement

Given the cessation of conflict in Mogadishu, recently displaced IDPs 
are slowly beginning to return to the city. However, UNHCR and partners 
have recorded only about 800 returnees as of today, far lower than the 
numbers reported in the local media. Returns appear mainly to consist of 
the urban poor who are coming back to Mogadishu in an attempt to restore 
their livelihoods. There are reports of people arriving in the city ? 
particularly Oromos ? being harassed and arrested. Returns may be 
further discouraged by the fact that some public buildings formerly 
occupied by IDPs were destroyed in the fighting, as well as tension over 
the planned use of public buildings that were, until recently, occupied 
by IDPs.

Meanwhile, the latest figures from UNHCR estimate that 365,000 people 
have been displaced from Mogadishu between 1 February and 27 April. 
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 women, children and the elderly, with those in the areas around 
Mogadishu still considered to be the most vulnerable.

Access and Response

Following a UNDSS security assessment, K50 was cleared for passengers 
and cargo, and flights resumed this week without incident. The movement 
of international staff is for the time being restricted to the airport 
but it is hoped that in the next week, security clearance will be gained 
for expanded movement.

Overland transport across the Somali/Kenyan border continued without 
incident this week, while overland transport within Somalia was hampered 
by Gu rains and insecurity. Roads in Gedo and Lower and Middle Juba are 
said to be affected by the rains, with roads in the Afmadow-Badhade area 
flooded to the extent that some areas are now cut off. Meanwhile, the 
tension and fighting in and around Kismayo caused transport delays this 
week and contractors were reportedly reluctant to operate in the 
affected areas, which included routes in Afmadow, Badhade, Kismayo and 
Jamame.

An inter-agency assessment of the humanitarian situation in Galgadud 
region (25-29 April) has reported on IDPs and made general 
recommendations for humanitarian response. There are an estimated 
109,000 IDPs in Galgadud. Water and sanitation were identified as major 
gaps, as was health. The need for hygiene education/awareness was seen 
as critical. NFIs have already been distributed by ICRC and further food 
and NFI distributions are planned. Agencies are now coordinating to plan 
water/sanitation and health response in Galgadud.

Otherwise, humanitarian response to IDPs displaced by the recent 
conflict is continuing. Priorities are i) water and sanitation, ii) 
shelter and non-food items, iii) food and iv) health services. 
Assistance that includes response to the AWD/cholera crisis is being 
prioritized for Afgoye, Merka and Galgadud. To date, agencies and 
partners have distributed the following:

Afgoye and surrounds (Lower Shabelle) ? over 48,000 people have received 
shelter/NFIs; health partners have provided chlorine, cholera kits and 
medical supplies to health facilities and partners; 32,000 beneficiaries 
have received 320 mt of food; 30,000 people have benefited from water 
trucking.

Merka and surrounds (Lower Shabelle) ? over 20,000 people have received 
shelter/NFIs; 7,500 have been reached by water trucking; chlorine, 
cholera kits and medical supplies have been provided to health 
facilities.

Jowhar, Balad and adjacent areas (Middle Shabelle) ? 38,000 people have 
received NFIs; over 5,000 people in Aden Yabaal district and 2,400 in 
Adale have received similar supplies.

Galgadud/South Mudug ? food for 60,000 people has been moved from 
Mogadishu for distribution, while roughly 66,000 people have received 
shelter/NFIs.

Dhobley (Lower Juba) ? NFIs and cholera treatment supplies provided for 
around 2,000 people.

Mogadishu - most of the activities are focused on water 
trucking/chlorination activities; health facilities have been resupplied 
with essential drugs and kits; Cholera Treatment Centres are active.

Taking advantage of recent calm, UNICEF is planning to access its 
warehouses in Mogadishu and move supplies to its local partners. Both 
UNHCR and UNICEF had been unable to access supplies in warehouses in 
Mogadishu during the recent fighting.

For further information, contact:

Molly McCloskey +254 727 659 100 or Amanda di Lorenzo at +254 734 210 102,
mccloskeym@un.org, dilorenzoa@un.org

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