OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
Report for May 2007
14 June 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

While there has been no major conflict in Mogadishu during May and early 
June 2007, tensions in the city persisted, with incidents involving 
roadside bombs and other explosive devices on the increase. TFG 
supporters were targeted, as well as Ugandan and Ethiopian convoys. Two 
failed attempts were made on the life of the TFG Prime Minister during 
the first week in June, after which authorities instigated a major 
security crackdown, with house-to-house weapon searches, the arrest of 
hundreds of individuals, and reported widespread harassment and 
intimidation of residents.

In spite of the above, approximately 112,000 of almost 400,000 people 
who were displaced from the capital between February and April 2007 are 
estimated to have returned. Additional returns continue to be inhibited 
by factors such as fear of renewed violence, the destruction of some 
public buildings and tension over the planned use of other buildings 
formerly occupied by IDPs. Meanwhile, following the unrest and recent 
security crackdown, reports have indicated some renewed movement out of 
the city, though numbers are unconfirmed.

Response to conflict-displaced IDPs continued in May. As of the end of 
the month, partners had delivered non-food items for over 360,000 IDPs 
and food for over 336,000 IDPs in the different areas of displacement. 
Health and water/sanitation response continued through support for 
hospitals, provision of medicines, and chlorination activities. As 
people started to return to Mogadishu, and in spite of security 
developments in the city, humanitarian partners were also able to 
deliver some assistance to the returnees; however, violence and 
insecurity limit the response.

On 29-30 May, a UN inter-agency mission traveled to Mogadishu to discuss 
the next steps in the delivery of aid. While the first phase of the IDP 
response prioritised assistance to the most vulnerable, given that 
returns to Mogadishu have begun, the focus will now shift to provision 
of basic services for IDPs and the community as a whole. The mission 
underlined the impartial nature of all humanitarian action and stressed 
that any discussion of resettlement plans for IDPs or longer-term 
support for durable solutions for IDPs will only take place once the 
National Reconciliation process has defined the way forward. The mission 
noted a strong mistrust amongst and between authorities, civil society 
and NGOs, while Mogadishu's residents had clearly reached a state of 
desperation, with many having suffered the destruction of sources of 
livelihood. In such an environment, all constituencies must work 
together to address humanitarian needs. In order to enhance coordination 
and communication, a collaborative framework will be discussed to 
bolster humanitarian response and define the respective roles of the 
various constituencies.

Meanwhile, humanitarian access into and throughout South/Central is 
showing a worrying trend, with increasing restrictions on road, air and 
sea movement. Insecurity, checkpoints and rising passage fees along 
several main roads resulted in delivery delays, while heavy rains and 
localised flooding rendered some roads impassable. Kismayo port closed 
twice during May due to revenue issues, while flights to Buale (Middle 
Juba) and Galkayo (Mudug) were halted due to security (Buale has since 
reopened). Hijackings and attempted hijackings of vessels off the Somali 
coast increased; on 19 May a WFP-chartered vessel was attacked. Although 
WFP has not suspended sea transport of aid, the agency is finding it 
difficult to contract vessels to ship food to Somalia.

According to FAO/FSAU, the overall 2007 Gu performance has so far been 
poor and may result in significantly reduced crop production, with 
corresponding implications for food security. Of particular concern are 
Hiran and the southern regions. The poor Gu performance, along with the 
impact of displacement from Mogadishu is expected to have negatively 
affected agropastoral and agricultural communities in these areas. A 
best case scenario anticipates below normal rainfed production, while a 
worst case scenario would see rainfed crop failure, especially in Hiran 
and the Shabelles.

Although Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD)/cholera remains a health concern in 
South/Central Somalia, the outbreak has been largely contained in areas 
to which partners have access. Since 1 January 2007, 36,292 cases of AWD 
have been reported, including 1,102 related deaths. More worryingly, 
recent nutrition assessments confirm that high rates of acute 
malnutrition that have persisted for years throughout South/Central 
Somalia are continuing. So far in 2007, 16 of 17 assessments have shown 
rates above the emergency threshold of 15%.

ACCESS and SECURITY

Despite the absence of widespread fighting in Mogadishu in May and early 
June 2007, heightened tensions persisted, with an increase in incidents 
and attacks involving hand grenades, explosive devices and roadside 
bombs. Supporters of the TFG continued to be targeted and assassinations 
increased; two failed attempts were made on the life of the TFG Prime 
Minister. Ugandan and Ethiopian troop convoys came under attack and 
unexploded ordnance planted during the conflict has resulted in 
casualties and deaths. On 6 June, a major security crackdown by the 
authorities saw house-to-house weapon searches followed by hundreds of 
arrests ? including that of of Abdi Imaan, Chairman of the Hawiye elders 
(later released). Business and transport reportedly came to a complete 
standstill, while three major media houses accused of supporting 
anti-TFG factions were shut down for several days.

Since fighting stopped at the end of April, thousands of people who fled 
the city between February and April 2007 returned to Mogadishu. 
Humanitarian partners were able to deliver some assistance to the 
returnees. This, however, was relatively limited with the majority of 
needs still unmet. Ongoing activities continue to the extent possible 
through national staff, yet the insecurity in the city creates 
interruptions and obstructs the scaling up of the response.

Mobility of aid workers in areas surrounding the capital was negatively 
affected, with general insecurity reported along main roads to Merka, 
K50, Balad, Jowhar, Baidoa, and Beletweyne. Tensions in Lower Shabelle 
due to fighting between the former regional administration and the newly 
appointed administration resulted in an unconfirmed number of deaths and 
contributed to insecurity on roads in the region. In various parts of 
South/Central, checkpoints and passage fees resulted in delivery delays 
and additional transport costs. Charges per truck at Baidoa have 
reportedly increased from $125 to $520.

Security in the Jubas deteriorated. In the Kismayo area, clan fighting 
caused an unconfirmed number of deaths. Kismayo's seaport closed twice 
in May over revenue demands; the second time reopening on 31 May 
following clan mediation. Throughout the month, roadblocks on the main 
road to Kismayo were rife; up to 40 roadblocks were reported on the 40km 
stretch between Arare and Kismayo. Recently, a convoy of some 35 trucks 
was delayed on the road between Kismayo and Jilib for five days. UNCAS 
flights to Buale (Middle Juba) were halted on 23 May due to security 
issues. The airstrip was reopened on 29 May but tensions on the ground 
persist. Aside from insecurity, various unresolved procedural issues 
regarding the importation of humanitarian cargo into Somalia are 
complicating delivery of assistance. In a recent incident, 
WFP-contracted trucks were delayed for a day at Mogadishu port while 
awaiting permission from the authorities to continue to Mogadishu 
warehouses for off-loading of food. With regard to the border situation, 
negotiations are ongoing concerning authorization to move humanitarian 
cargo overland from Kenya to Somalia.

Heavy localised Gu rains also affected transport of cargo, as main roads 
became impassable, particularly in the Jubas and parts of Gedo. WFP food 
distributions were delayed due to impassable roads in Middle Juba, while 
in Jowhar (Middle Shabelle) the airstrip was shut on 14 May for several 
days due to localized rains. In late May, heavy rains over coastal areas 
in Kenya obstructed overland transport to the Somali border, with delays 
of up to three days along some stretches.

Incidents of hijacking and attempted hijacking of commercial vessels 
along the Somali coast increased in May. A WFP-chartered vessel was 
attacked on 19 May after unloading 4,000 metric tons (MT) of food in 
Merka. Although the agency has food supplies and has not suspended sea 
transport of aid (the fastest and most efficient way of moving large 
amounts of food), it is finding it difficult to contract vessels to ship 
food to Somalia. Should incidents of piracy continue or worsen, partners 
may have to find alternative supply routes into the country for both 
food and non-food assistance.

Given the above, the recent allocation from the Central Emergency 
Response Fund (CERF) for Air Support Services in Somalia is a welcome 
development. The CERF funds will be used to subsidize humanitarian cargo 
and passenger flights into South/Central Somalia to support the 
provision of assistance to IDPs and the post-drought, - flood and - 
conflict responses. Included in the project is the rehabilitation of 
Wajid airstrip, now underway and expected to be completed by the end of 
July 2007. While works are ongoing, only caravans will be able to land 
at the airstrip.

In Puntland, several security incidents followed the lowering of the UN 
security phase in the zone. A reported US airstrike over Bargal on 1 
June resulted in an unconfirmed number of deaths and heightened tension 
in neighbouring areas. Aid organizations operated cautiously in the 
area. Meanwhile, two kidnapped staff members working for an 
international NGO were released in mid-May.

Further to the May directive by the TFG that anyone entering Somalia 
must obtain a visa prior to arrival, humanitarian partners are 
encountering problems when visiting locations in parts of northwest 
Somalia where local authorities are not recognising the TFG-issued visa. 
Additionally, in southern Somalia, despite holding a visa, aid workers 
in some areas are being charged arrival, transit and departure fees. The 
matter has been discussed with the TFG; however, despite assurances from 
the authorities, discrepancies remain between the official policy and 
its implementation on the ground.

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