OCHA Situation Report
Somalia
23 January 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Main Developments

Security in Mogadishu continues to be erratic. On 19 January, mortar 
fire targeted the presidential palace, current residence of President 
Yusuf. The following day, gunmen fired machine guns and rocket-propelled 
grenades at an Ethiopian convoy in Hurwa district. In the ensuing gun 
battle, four bystanders were reportedly killed. Another four people are 
said to have been killed on 22 January during a confrontation between 
Ethiopian troops and what are believed to have been remnants of the ICU. 
The fighting, which was triggered by house-to-house searches, took place 
near the livestock market in Hurwa district.

Elsewhere in South/Central, Middle and Lower Shabelle are reported to be 
experiencing insecurity, with militia manning checkpoints, harassing and 
extorting money from travellers. Three additional checkpoints were 
apparently erected in recent days between Afgoye and Merka (Lower 
Shabelle). Meanwhile, two sub-clans that had been fighting in Biyo Adde 
in Middle Shabelle (resulting in at least 15 deaths and dozens being 
displaced) have agreed to cease hostilities. In the Jubas, clan fighting 
has been reported (with over 10 dead in clashes in Beerhani, 90km west 
of Kismayo) and locals are voicing growing concern over lack of local 
authority in key towns.

Bay and Bakool are reported to be stable, with all roadblocks removed 
from the main roads in the two regions. However, residents are reported 
to be concerned about the planned pull-out of Ethiopian troops from 
Somalia and the potential insecurity that could ensue.

Following negative test results for RVF from human samples last week, 
efforts to determine the presence of RVF in Somalia continue. Two new 
human samples from Marare hospital (Jilib District, Middle Juba) have 
been brought to Nairobi for testing and results are expected shortly. 
Already the so far unidentified disease has caused 32 deaths among 62 
human cases in southern Somalia. WHO will hold a workshop for partners 
in Nairobi to increase awareness on RVF prevention. Training in Kismayo, 
Mogadishu, Wajid/Baidoa, Garowe and Hargeisa will follow in the coming 
weeks.

Displacement

There are reports that IDPs living in settlements and public buildings 
near the presidential palace in Mogadishu have been ordered by the TFG 
to vacate these premises within days. There are worries that as the TFIs 
relocate to Mogadishu and the TFG claims public buildings for their use, 
the IDPs presently living in these buildings will be told to relocate 
without being provided with alternative living space.

Access and Response

While Kismayo airstrip remains closed to humanitarian flights, severely 
hampering access to the Juba regions, humanitarian needs in the area are 
said to be intensifying. Requests by the humanitarin community to reopen 
the airstrip remain unheeded. There are reports of large and still 
unrepaired ruptures in the river bank (caused by recent Deyr flooding), 
and farmers are reportedly reluctant to plant as they fear that these 
ruptures will heighten flooding during the Gu rains, set to begin in 
March. Humanitarian interventions are urgently required not only to 
respond to current needs but also to lessen the impact of any future 
threats to livelihoods and food security. Meanwhile, efforts to obtain 
written assurances of safety for a medical mission to Kismayo to assess 
the health situation ? including the possible presence of RVF ? have so 
far been unsuccessful. As of 18 January, the port at Kismayo is also 
officially closed.

The Kenya-Somali border also remains closed, with no movement either 
into Somalia or into Kenya (for reloading) at El Wak or Mandera 
crossings. Garbaharey airstrip remains closed to UN flights.

An inter-agency mission on IDPs is set to travel to Mogadishu tomorrow 
to look at how best to address the needs of all IDPs, including those 
who may need to move from public buildings as a result of the TFG's 
ongoing relocation of the TFIs to Mogadishu.

Reports detailing response activities to date by cluster (Who does What 
Where) are available on the OCHA website at 
http://ochaonline2.un.org/Default.aspx?tabid=5066

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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