OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
15 June 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Main Developments

According to FAO/FSAU, the 2007 Gu performance has so far been poor and 
may result in significantly reduced crop production, with corresponding 
implications for food security. Although the Gu season started well in 
mid-April, rains in May were erratic and poorly distributed. The 
forecast for June predicts below-normal to no rains for most of Somalia. 
Of particular concern are Hiran and the southern regions. Poor Gu rains, 
combined with the impact of displacement from Mogadishu, may negatively 
affect 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. In late June, FAO/FSAU will conduct its usual post-Gu 
food and livelihood security assessment. This year, given the scale of 
the recent displacement crisis, the survey will include an analysis of 
the impact of the displaced on local food security conditions.

Fighting between Ethiopian forces and anti-government factions took 
place 13 June involving grenades, machine guns and mortars. A District 
Official was assassinated the next morning. The violence followed the 
previous day's announcement by the Chairman of the National 
Reconciliation Committee that the Reconciliation Conference had been 
postponed. The Conference, scheduled to begin today, is now set to take 
place in mid-July. This week's unrest came on the heels of several days 
of rising tension in the city due to last week's security crackdown, 
which involved house-to-house searches for weapons and the arrest of 
hundreds of Mogadishu residents. Movement within Mogadishu has since 
then been severely restricted due to the imposition of numerous 
checkpoints. There have been reports of limited displacement from 
Mogadishu as a result of the violence. (see below)

A UN inter-agency mission headed by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) 
travelled to Mogadishu on 14 June. The mission's aim was to discuss ways 
to increase delivery of humanitarian assistance through improved 
coordination and communication between all constituencies working in 
Mogadishu; meetings were held with the TFG Minister of Planning, the 
Mayor of Mogadishu and NGOs. During meetings, all stakeholders voiced a 
desire and need for improved cooperation to scale up humanitarian 
response and supported a proposed workshop to define roles and 
responsibilities of each constituency. The mission once again clarified 
that the focus of the response is now on the provision of basic services 
to target IDPs and the wider community. On the issue of the government's 
repossession of some public buildings in which IDPs have been living, 
the HC stressed that any such activity should be in line with 
international standards and in conjunction with alternative solutions 
being provided for affected IDPs. More broadly, any long-term 
resettlement of IDPs must be based on outcomes of the National 
Reconciliation Conference. Freedom of the press and the regularization 
of registration for NGOs were also addressed during meetings. It was 
agreed that discussions on the above issues would continue throughout 
the coming weeks.

The three media houses (HornAfrik, Shabelle and IQK) that were shut down 
on 6 June by the TFG as part of the government security crackdown were 
re-opened on 10 June following discussions between government officials 
and media executives. The TFG had accused the media outlets of 
supporting anti-government factions.

Elsewhere in South/Central, there was growing tension and insecurity. 
Ongoing clan fighting in the Kismayo (Lower Juba) area over the last 
several days resulted in an unconfirmed number of dead. The fighting 
reportedly began as revenge killings and grew into a land dispute. There 
have been allegations of militia looting in the villages around Kismayo. 
Following reports of increased TFG troop movements in Lower and Middle 
Juba - possibly in relation to events in Kismayo - a UN mission to Buale 
(Middle Juba) planned for this week was cancelled. UNHCR is reporting 
that up to 10,000 people may have moved to Kismayo town as a result of 
the clan conflict.

Meanwhile, tension in Lower Shabelle is high following fighting between 
the former and the newly appointed regional administrations. Forces 
loyal to the new Lower Shabelle Regional Administration entered Bulo 
Marer (40km southwest of Merka) on 7 June. The following day, ten people 
were reported to have been killed when militia from the two sides 
clashed, resulting in the new administration withdrawing to Mogadishu. 
Further confrontations in the area are possible unless negotiations are 
undertaken. Almost 800 people are estimated to have been displaced to 
Merka because of the clashes.

Returns and Displacement

Reports indicate that approximately 112,000 people have returned to 
their homes in Mogadishu since 1 May (99,000 during May), though the 
numbers may be higher. Most of the returnees are attempting to restore 
their livelihoods, as many lost property during the conflict. Obstacles 
facing those who wish to return include uncertainty over the 
government's future use of public buildings and the fact that many 
buildings in which IDPs had lived were destroyed during the conflict. 
Transport to Mogadishu from areas of displacement has also slowed 
returns, with reports indicating that IDPs trying to return have had to 
wait up to three days for transport.

The majority of returns have been from Lower Shabelle (65,000, mostly 
from Afgoye and Merka) and Middle Shabelle (34,000, mostly from Balad 
and Jowhar). About 5,000 are reported to have returned from Gedo and 
2,000 from Bay. Other regions that have recorded returns include Hiran 
(800), Mudug (1,000) and Middle Juba (300). Additionally, about 1,700 
people who were displaced within Mogadishu have returned home. Unlike 
the movement out of Mogadishu, which was sudden and in large numbers, 
returns have been gradual and more difficult to quantify. Meanwhile, 
UNHCR is estimating that during the month of June, almost 1,500 people 
have fled insecurity and sporadic violence in Mogadishu, with almost 600 
of these having gone to Galkayo.

Access and Response

Various procedural issues regarding the importation of humanitarian 
cargo into Somalia remain unresolved. 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. Regarding the border, negotiations are 
ongoing concerning authorization to move humanitarian cargo overland 
from Kenya to Somalia. Meanwhile, road passage fees at roadblocks and 
checkpoints inside Somalia continue to impede delivery of assistance, 
causing delays and raising transport costs. In recent weeks, charges per 
truck at Baidoa are reported to have increased from $125 to $520, while 
passage fees in all other major towns are said to have doubled or 
tripled. WFP has raised the issue of roadblocks and checkpoints with the 
TFG on numerous occasions and, more recently, in written communication 
with the Minister of Health, the focal point for humanitarian 
activities.

A joint mission involving OCHA and World Vision travelled to Idaale 
(Bay) on 9 June to assess the humanitarian situation and discuss 
response. Idaale village suffered severe damage to its infrastructure 
during the conflict of late 2006/early 2007 between ICU and 
TFG/Ethiopian forces. The mission reported serious need among the 
population for water and sanitation and hygiene interventions; support 
for new returnees with shelter materials and NFIs; health care; income 
generation programs and livestock support; and support for education. Of 
particular concern was the presence of unexploded mines, artillery 
shells, hand grenades and anti-aircraft missiles remaining from the 
conflict.

The bodies of two Kenyan police officers who were abducted on 9 June by 
heavily armed men were found on 14 June about 10km south of Mandera, 
near the Somali border. The two officers had been stationed in Mandera 
town and went missing while on patrol. Problems concerning the border 
issue have been ongoing in recent months (the Government of Kenya closed 
its border with Somalia in early 2007), sometimes impeding transport of 
humanitarian cargo and staff into Somalia.

For further information, contact:

Amanda Di Lorenzo - Mobile: +254 734 210 102, dilorenzoa@un.org

Molly McCloskey - Mobile: +254 727 659 100, mccloskeym@un.org

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