Somalia - UNDP: 1-Jul:31-Aug-97

Somalia - UNDP: 1-Jul:31-Aug-97

SOMALIA INFORMATION REPORT
Period covered: 1 July - 31 August 1997

This report has been prepared by the office of the United Nations
Development Programme and Resident Representative for Somalia


SECURITY/POLITICAL NOTEBOOK
Mogadishu / South Central Regions: Mogadishu remains relatively calm. On
13 July, Access to UNDP/WFP compound located in south Mogadishu was
blocked by armed groups (technical), who have a long standing pay
grievance against WFP for security services allegedly rendered to the
programme, during the height of Somalia emergency in 1992/93. A WFP
mission accompanied by the UNDP Security Officer were confronted by
ex-guards demanding separation costs amounting to nine months salary.
The matter had been subsequently resolved.

The National Salvation Council (NSC) of Somalia held its second Ordinary
Session from 24 June to 10 July in Sodere, Ethiopia. The Council called
for the holding of a National Reconciliation Conference in Bossaso on 1
November 1997. The delegates participating the Bossaso Conference are
projected to be 682 representatives from all political factions, social
and religious groups countrywide. Mr. Hussein Aidid and Mr. Egal did not
attend the meeting despite intense diplomatic efforts aimed at
convincing them to participate. External actors in the Somali political
landscape, including IGAD members, Governments of Italy, Ethiopia, USA
and Egypt continued to encourage Hussein Aidid's administration to
participate in the Bossaso reconciliation conference and join the Sodere
peace process.

The summit of the IGAD heads of states was held in Nairobi on 8 and 9 of
July 1997 and noted with concern that peace in Somalia remains elusive,
despite efforts to find a lasting solution to the problem. The Summit,
therefore, welcomed the efforts being made on the IGAD/OAU peace
initiative on Somalia and recognized that agreements reached by Somali
factions in Nairobi, Sodere (Ethiopia), Sana'a and Cairo contributed in
advancing the process. IGAD leaders expressed satisfaction at the
relative stability in northern Somalia and encouraged all factions in
the South to attend the Bossaso Conference in November 1997. The Summit
further pledged to support the outcome of the national reconciliation
conference.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr.
Yasushi Akashi, who was on a mission to the Great Lakes region and Horn
of Africa from 22 - 29 August, met with the heads of UN agencies and
NGOs working in Somalia in the last week of August. Also, in an effort
to promote dialogue and peace, a Special Representative of the UN
Secretary-General, Mr. Ismat Kittani, visited the region from 11-23
August, and held talks regarding the peace process in Somalia with
representatives of the Somali factions, regional leaders, United Nations
and International organisations operating in Somali

Jowhar / Central Regions: The situation in Jowhar and surrounding areas
remained volatile over the past two months with tension heightening on
and off between rival sub-clans of Abgal. There has been three incidents
of killing and two car theft incidents in Jowhar and Balad during July.
The elders managed to resolve all the disputes. On 16 August, a guard
serving the NGO, Adventist and Development Relief Agency (ADRA),
operating in Jowhar was killed and two others were admitted in InterSOS
hospital in Jowhar with critical gunshot wounds after the vehicle they
were travelling in came under fire at Burane village checkpoint, 23 km
north of Jowhar. One of the wounded guards also died in the hospital
later. The incident appears to be related a number of revenge killings
between Hawadle and Warsangeli/Abgal clans in the area.

The International NGO, CEFA, providing health services to the
communities in Hiran region, suspended its activities and withdrew its
staff from Jalalaqsi, 90 km north of Jowhar, after continuous attacks by
gunmen to the hospital it operated in the town. This withdrawal was
prompted by a bandit attack, on 5 August, in which shooting between the
attackers and the guards of the hospital caused loss of life in both
sides. The road between Jowhar and Belet Weyne remain insecure. During
August, the road between Jowhar and Balad remained unsafe to traffic
movement.

Kismayo / Juba Valley / Southern Regions: Kismayo town and its environs
remained relatively quiet although the rival militia men from Marehan
and Majerteen clans continue facing each other around Gobweyn area, some
20 km outside of Kismayo town. On 22 August, fighting flared up at
Berhano village, 32 km north of Kismayo with at least seven people
reported killed and eight others injured. On 20 August, two health
workers operating a Mother and Child Health Clinic (MCH) run by the
American Charity, World Concern NGO, in the town were murdered by gunmen
during in an orgy of revenge killing. The MCH activities benefitting
4,300 persons, mainly IDPs, has since been suspended as a result of the
incident. The two rival factions in Kismayo continue a face-off at
Gobweyn village, 12 km north of Kismayo town. The families displaced by
the inter-clan conflict in Kismayo continue to scatter along the valley
with UNICEF sending a team to Gobweyn and Kham-Kham to assess the number
of families affected.

Bay / Gedo / Southwest Regions: Still military activities between SNF
and Ethiopian army on one hand and Al-itahad on the other, continue in
the region and fighting was reported in the area on 7 July. Reports from
the region also indicate a movement of SNF and Ethiopian forces towards
Bay, Bakool and Middle Juba regions. These conflicts in the area may
threaten the ongoing humanitarian operations in the area, particularly
the WFP pre-Gu harvest distribution plan.

On 4 July, four local staff members serving with UNDP/UNOPS project for
rural rehabilitation in the Gedo region were briefly kidnapped by
Al-itahad militia while travelling 20 km west of Garbaharey, Gedo
regional. Following intervention by UNDP/UNOPS office in Mandera and
elders in the Gedo region, they were released but rental vehicle was
impounded by the Al-Itahad Also SCF-UK announced the closure of its
Bardera programme from the beginning of August due to deteriorating
security in the area and the continued difficulties of access and
logistics to support the programme in Bardera.

In Baidoa, the suspension of all non-emergency humanitarian activities
is holding. Pending on the result of an investigation by Hussein Aidid
administration following the killing of Dr. Marques, MSF France, who was
murdered in Baidoa hospital on 20 June. The United Nations Country Team
(UNCT) on 25 June, joined its SACB partners to protest the 'senseless
murder' of Dr. Marques in Baidoa Thursday, 26 June was declared as a day
of mourning and remembrance for Dr. Marques; all activities, including
aid delivery, throughout Somalia was suspended for the day. The
longer-term future of activities in Baidoa, Bay region is still under
discussion. On 3 August, the SNA administration communicated with the
SACB Executive Committee, stating the arrest of Mohamed Harawo Qabah for
the murder of Dr. Marques. But there has been no independent
confirmation of the claim as at the end of August.

On 25 July, an American national working for the United States Agency
for International Development (USAlD), Daniel Suther, escapes from his
kidnappers near El Ali village along Tiyeglow/Beletweyn road. Mr. Suther
was on a WFP food distribution related mission to Tiyeglow when the
security guards of the pick-up truck he hired from Beletweyn town
attempted to kidnap him.

After escaping his captors and before being rescued on 26 July, Mr.
Suther had spent 26 hours with food and water in the remote country-side
of Hiran region, Somalia Mr. Suther was flown out of Beletweyn to
Nairobi on 27 July. Reconciliation conference among the elders of the
Digil d Mirifle clans in Tieglow town of Bakool region continues.

Northeast Regions: Bosasso and the Northeast regions remain relatively
calm. On 7 July, an UN Security Team mission traveled to Galkayo by
road. Reports indicated that Galkayo retained tense following inter-clan
clashes in a village outside the town close to Ethiopia/Somalia border
on 5 July. The town seemed to be divided along three greenline separated
territories; one for SSDF, another for supporters of Osman Ato and still
another territory controlled by supporters of Hussein Aidid. On 27 July,
burglars broke into WFP warehouse in Bossaso and stole 63 cartons of
vegetable oil aimed to settle food-for-work activities in the region.
The local authority launched an investigation into the incident.

Also, the long awaited investigation of the 21 May incident where two
WFP international staff members were fired upon has been completed in
late June, concluding that the perpetrator was acting entirely on his
own. The SSDF authority sent an official apology letter about the
incident and re-affirmed its commitment to secure the international
organisations operating in the northeast. In another security issue,
former World Vision NGO guards addressed a hostile letter to all
international agencies operating in Bosasso in June, warning them of the
implications if they were not paid. On 20 August, UNESCO reported to
have received letters bearing death threats against its personnel in
Garowe education rehabilitation office. Further investigation into the
incident has since been carried out.

Hargeisa / Northwest Regions: Hargeisa, Boroma, Berbera, Yarowe, and
Odweyne areas are all reported quiet. On 23 August, inter-clan fighting
erupted between Habar Jaelo and Habar Yonis clans in Erigavo following a
land dispute left behind 17 deaths and over 20 injuries. A WHO polio
eradication officer, Mr. Rob Mooser, was robbed and briefly detained
while travelling along Burao/Las Anod road on 30 July. In Sool region,
the road from Las Anod to Erigavo, in Sanaag region is still reported to
be unsafe and is still not recommended for use by international
organisations.

On 3 July, armed militia with two technical opened fire on unsuspecting
groups of people at market in Burao, killing six persons and wounding 21
others. The incident created panic forcing people to close their
business shops. The perpetrators reportedly crossed from the eastern
side of the town, which was a flashpoint of inter-clan wars. A recent UN
assessment mission to Burao recommended demining and demobilisation
projects. The Egal administration sent senior officials to Burao to
investigate and settle the potential inter-clan conflict. Meanwhile, a
joint committee consisting of humanitarian agencies and the 'Somaliland'
administration was recently appointed to draw up a plan of action on how
the agencies can contribute to the rehabilitation of social service
infrastructures in Burao.

An Eritrian delegation visited Hargeisa in the Northwest early August
reportedly for talks with Mr. Egal and his 'government' over peace
Initiatives in the Horn of Africa region. The delegation was led by the
Eritrean Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Girma Asmereom. On the other hand,
the 'Somaliland' administration led by Mr. Mohamed H. Ibrahim Egal
insisted that they will not participate in the forthcoming Somali
reconciliation conference scheduled for Bossaso on 1 November. Also, a
US government delegation visited Hargeisa from 17-20 August for talks on
possible repatriation of Somali refugees in camps in Ethiopia to
Northwest Somalia. During August, UN international staff ground travels
outside Las Anod, and particularly the Hargeisa/Las Anod/Erigavo road,
remained restricted.

II. HUMANITARIAN, REHABILITATION, AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

EMERGENCY HIGHLIGHTS

Food Security Update: The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on 29
July the completion of a two-month distribution of 3,240 MTs of food aid
in 78 locations in Bay, Bakool, Hiran, Lower Juba, Middle Juba and Lower
Shabelle regions, benefitting some 340,000 people. Despite security
problems, the June and July food aid distributions were targeted to
reach people at their most critical moments the months preceding the
arrival of the main harvest in August when food availability hits its
lowest levels. In a statement, the WFP said the urgent appeals made to
donors two months ago for food and transport costs for Somalia had been
sufficiently met, with US Agency for International Development (USAID)
and the Italian government providing the bulk of the requirements.

The Gu (main) season is progressing well, despite a disturbing break in
the rains in mid-May. According to the USAID supported Famine Early
Warning System (FEWS), field reports indicate that rains resumed in many
locations in late May and early June. Crop development is reportedly
good throughout the agricultural regions in southern Somalia, and the
Somalia Food Security Assessment Unit's (FSAU) preliminary estimates put
the Gu harvest at about 118,000 MTs of maize and 124,000 MTs of sorghum
-about 29 percent above the last Gu production However, not all areas
are expected to enjoy production increases. Bay and Bakool regions,
which are seriously affected by food shortages and hunger, are expected
to have serious production decreases, largely because many farmers are
too weak to work in the fields.

In the Northwest, harvesting is expected at the end of September and
early October. Due to the failure of early rains, early planted maize
could only be utilized for grazing and would produce little grains
suitable for human consumption. However, subsequently planted maize,
sorghum and to a lesser extent, millet and pulses, might lead to good
yields. The expected cereal production in the region was 20-25,00 MTs.

Reports from Lower Shabelle regional capital, Merka, indicated heavy
rains and flooding in the agricultural heartland surrounding the area
this week. Preliminary reports indicate both human and property losses
with the town's main hospital Operating theater which collapsed after
the heavy rains. These late Gu rains affected the area, which is
Somalia's primary maize producing region, and washed roads away as
Shabelle River overflowed its embankments in Sablale, Janale,
Kurtunwarey and Bulo Marer districts. The UN World Programme (WFP) and
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have carried out a
survey to assess the extent of flooding caused by the rains. The Red
Cross said about one-third of the area's agricultural land has been
affected but it is not yet known how much of the crop has been
destroyed.

As part of the household food security programme, UNICEF distributed
tools to 70 families living in Kulmisweyn village, five kilometers from
Mahaday, where Saacid, a local NGO, is implementing a canal
rehabilitation programme. The hand tools distribution was carried out by
the Jowhar women's group.

Fire gusts 145 homes at Marsario IDP camp in Bossaso: On the night of 31
August, fire gutted some 145 homes for internally displaced people at
Marsario WP camp in Biyo Kulule area in the outskirts of Bossaso. The
fire rendered 1050 people, including 200 women and 650 children,
homeless. UN/NGOs operating in the area visited the scene and organised
an emergency response assistance consisting resettlement kits, food
rations, plastic sheeting and tents. UNICEF distributed 145 plastic
containers, 20 resettlement kits, and 200 blankets while WFP agreed to
release a one-week food ration for 145 families. UNHCR office provided
20 tents; WHO distributed 50 blankets. The local community contributed
food assistance, including -, dates, mea, etc. for one day and two
tankers of water for one week

Health and Nutrition Update: The overall nutrition situation in the
country has not improved During July, hundreds of moderately to severely
malnourished in two villages in Bay region have been receiving emergency
food aid through ICRC ed programme being run by the Somali Red Crescent
Society. 120 Children were assisted during the first three days of the
operation in Berdale district. A further 348 children received rations
of high protein porridge in Qansahdhere district.

In Mogadishu, the majority of malnourished children admitted into
therapeutic feeding centres (TFCs) come from IDP camps in the city and
the surrounding areas. Lack of purchasing power and an increase in
prices of commodities has also contributed to the decline in nutrition
status. Nutritional status information suggests that malnutrition
reached higher levels than last year for the same period in areas such
as Bay, Bakool, Middle Juba and south Mogadishu.

The ICRC has delivered a consignment of basic medical supplies, such as
anti-malarial drugs, dispensary and dressing kits, to the community of
El Bur in the Galgudud region of central Somalia, benefitting about
7,000 families living in El Bur and surrounding villages. Assistance to
the health post was suspended in early 1996 after a consignment of
medical supplies was looted. Also in Galgudud, the ICRC is providing
basic medical supplies to the hospital and out-patient department (OPD)
in Dusamareb.

In Mogadishu, UNICEF organised a 10-day training course on Expanded
Programme of Immunization (EPI) activities for 12 vaccinators from two
local NOGs, Shahmad and Ardo. A similar refresher training course on
vaccine management and immunization techniques was given to some 20
vaccinators in Hargeisa. EPI campaigns in Galbeed, Awdal, Sool, and
Sanag regions in the Northwest resulted in the immunization of 17,860
children under five years during the past two months. In an effort to
upgrade the skills and knowledge of midwives, UNICEF and the local
administration in Northwest Somalia held a refresher training course for
seven midwives and nurses in Borama.

In the Northeast zone, apart from its routine EPI activities, MCF/ USA
carried out a vaccination safari in which health teams immunized a total
of 418 children and 164 pregnant and lactating mothers in 13 villages
around Bossaso during July.

Cholera Update: During June, the cholera epidemic appears to have been
brought under control with the main cholera camp at Forlanini hospital
in North Mogadishu being officially closed on 5 July. The achievements
were realized through effective coordination, preparedness among UN/NGO
activities in terms of treatment, supply stocking and public awareness
as WHO reports. Meanwhile, a workshop on cholera held at UNDOS in July
emphasized greater reliance on household water safety and a shift in
emphasis from logistics support to training and epidemiological support.

>From 15 - 16 July, UNICEF organised a workshop for staff of UN /
International NGOs, local NGOs and local authorities. The workshop
focused on drought preparedness, cholera and coordination between
agencies in their activities. UNICEF was nominated the lead agency in
water development and environmental sanitation. Organisations
represented in the zonal coordination body include UNDP, Care
International, WHO, WFP, the local administration and two local NGOs
actives in the area.

REINTEGRATION HIGHLIGHTS

UNHCR repatriation programme for Somali refugees continues: With
improving security situation on the ground, UNHCR continues repatriating
willing refugees back to their homelands in Northwest and Northeast
regions of Somalia. By the end of June, UNHCR repatriated 4,872 Somali
refugees to the Northwest region from Hartasheikh camps in Ethiopia.
Also, a total of 10 Somalis were assisted to return home from camps in
Kenya last month.

The total number of registered refugees in Kenyan camps receiving
assistance stood at 131,730 as of 30 June 1997. In Ethiopia, UNHCR
reported that some 280,268 assisted Somalis in their refugee camps by
the end of June.

A mission from the government of Denmark visited Northwest Somalia to
assess the needs of the people. In a communique issued prior to their
departure, the mission said that Danish assistance to Northwest Somalia
targeted the needy people such as displaced persons, returnees and
women. Special consideration will be given to demobilisation activities
and programmes aimed at well rehabilitation, employment creation and
income generating activities. The programmes will be carried out in
collaboration with the local administration and organisation represented
in the region such as UN agencies, the European Union and
Non-governmental organisations. The five-member Danish mission also
visited Bossaso on 4 July, holding meetings with representatives of
international agencies and local authorities. Discussions focused on
development issues and repatriation of Somali refugees from Denmark.

In an exchange, the administration in the Northwest sent a delegation
for the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden for talks with representatives
of the respective governments regarding the presence of refugees from
the Northwest region in these countries.

Relocation of Somali refugees from Swaleh Nguru refugee camp completed: 
The relocation of Somali refugees from Swaleh Nguru camp in Mombasa was
completed on 15 July when the last convoy to Kakuma refugee camp
departed with some 497 Somali refugees. Since 28 February when the
relocation exercise started, a total of eighteen convoys have
transported 8,877 refugees to Kakuma and Dadaab with 7,394 people moving
to Kakuma while 1,483 people were moved to Dadaab. UNHCR also reported
that its field office in Mombasa finalized the registration for
repatriation in Jomvu camp where a total of 3,082 Somali refugees have
expressed their willingness to return home.

On 14 July, Cross-border operation staff accompanied refugee elders on a
mission to the Lower Juba region, to assess the general situation in the
areas of prospective refugee return. During the two-day mission, eight
refugee leaders including two female representatives from the Dadaab
camps visited Afmadow, Hagar and Bu'ale districts where they met with
the local community leaders.

REHABILITATION HIGHLIGHTS

Life Saving Skills Training for Midwives in Middle Shabelle region:
UNICEF in collaboration with InterSoS and MSF-Spain provided training
for seven midwives on life saving skills in July. The midwives are from
Galoley, Jowhar, Adale, Balad, Beled Weyn and Jalalaqsi towns. The
trainees are in charge of the ante and post-natal services supported by
MSF- Spain, Intersos, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA),
Somali Red Crescent Society, International Medical Corps (IMC), CEFA and
Joint Health Authority (JHA).

In the Northeast, AICF/USA held two training workshops benefitting a
total of 16 traditional birth attendants from Meleden, Hiriro, Dudhoyo,
Iskushuban, Gargore and Hurdiya villages in the Bari region. Also,
another workshop aimed at raising awareness on sanitation was conducted
in these villages with village sanitation committees being formed to
look after the health and sanitation issues of these locations.

Education rehabilitation programme in full swing in the Northeast and
Northwest regions of Somalia: Despite resistance from a section of
teachers, UNESCO Education Development Centre (EDC) in Garowe, Nugal
region, conducted examinations on 15-17 July for teachers to ascertain
the current standards, identify training needs and select teachers who
would be recognized and remunerated for teaching in primary schools. The
resistance was met by a strong stand taken by the regional authorities
and local community. The general population has been involved in the
discussion which can be counted also a positive outcome. In August,
despite some threats to UNESCO personnel, which the regional
administration and elders are decisively dealing with, the EDC in Garowe
has successfully screened and selected staff members and in
collaboration with UNICEF launched a massive training programme
involving over 200 teachers and tutors. Master trainers from UNESCO
Mogadishu office are currently conducting a three-week long training
which comprises one group of 168 teachers from Nugal region and two
trainee tutors from Bari, Nugal and Mudug regions.

At the beginning of the new school year, UNESCO distributed 8,500
textbooks to schools assisted by CISP in Eldher and Harardhere. Seven
other schools in the area were also given textbooks. Apart from textbook
distribution, UNESCO also conducted a school administration workshop for
12 head teachers and assistant head teachers of schools assisted by the
international NGO, CISP in Galgudud and Benadir regions. In Afgoye
district, a teaching methodology workshop was conducted while a SOMLU
(Somali Open Learning Unit Teacher Training Diploma Programme) course
was given to the teachers of schools assisted by the NGO, Water for
Life, in Merka town of Lower Shabelle region.

In July and August, two missions were fielded by UNESCO (one to the
Northwest and Northeast of Somalia and the other to Mogadishu) to
initiate preparatory activities for the launching of UNDP-UNESCO civic
education radio project. In all places, NGOs working with community
groups were identified, training and coordinating mechanisms for
listeners groups were worked out, candidates for radio production,
script writing and related activities were being interviewed during
August.

The ICRC agronomy team in Somalia launches a project to eradicate a
crop-attacking pest in Hiran region: The pilot programme, which involves
releasing thousands of tiny predatory wasps to encounter the destructive
stemborer insect, got underway in July in cooperation with the
International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), based in
Nairobi. The stemborer, a moth-like insect which lays its eggs on
cereals such as maize and sorghum - two of Somalia's most important
crops - can wreak havoc. The wasps can forestall the threat by laying
their eggs inside the stemborer larvae which, when they hatch, eat the
host from the inside! The wasps destined for Hiran are being released in
areas where the crop has been particularly badly affected. Each batch,
the first two of which were flown into Beledweyn in July, contains up to
12,000 wasps. Although deadly against the stemborer, the wasps are
harmless towards Humans as they do not carry a sting. The team became
aware of the magnitude of the problem while carrying out an assessment
for another ongoing ICRC project in the region involving the
rehabilitation of local irrigation schemes. The stemborer have been
prevalent in the region for years and before the outbreak of the
conflict in 1991, insecticides and crop rotation were used to minimize
its effect. Red Cross officials attribute the increased incidence of
stemborer to the unavailability of pesticides and lack of crop rotation
due to decline of certain crops in the market.

Vital water projects continue in the Northwest and Southern zones: As
part of the Italian government-funded water projects, UNICEF in
collaboration with local contractors, commenced implementing the seven
water projects in Las Anod, Oog, Yagoori, Tukaraq, Huddun, Godalo,
Ainabo, Odweine and Yarow in Sool and Togdher region of Northwest
Somalia.

Deep borehole rehabilitation programme continues in the southern zone
with the rehabilitation of Fandofar borehole in Hagar continuing at full
speed. The main focus of UNICEF remains the rehabilitation of old
boreholes in the zone. Kismayo Water Agency (KWA) will be given the
overall responsibility for the maintenance of 34 hand pumps already
installed in Kismayo and will be responsible for the installation of
more 20 handpumps.

In the education sector, UNHCR is rehabilitating Sheikh Madar primary
school in Hargeisa with the first eight classes, two offices and six pit
latrines costing at around USD 42,000. After completion, the classes are
expected to benefit some 640 pupils.

GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

UNCTAD ports project improves import/export system: UNCTAD project to
assist in the rehabilitation and sustainable operation of Somali ports
continues supporting establishment of viable port authorities at
Berbera, Bossaso and Kismayo. UNCTAD provides technical assistance and
equipment as well as training for port personnel where security permits.
In May, Bossaso port, a recipient of UNCTAD assistance, that serves
northeastern parts of Somalia recorded 4,586 MTs of imported foodstuff
and non-food items while livestock export though the port totalled
24,754 heads, consisted of sheep, goats, cattle and camels. Other
exports recorded during May also included 23 MTs of frankincense and
52,800 bundles of hides and skins.

Berbera port had a record high of import and export activity throughout
Somalia. A total of 17,258 MTs of both food and non-food items were
imported through Berbera port in June. Through Berbera port, a total of
163,054 heads of livestock were exported to various destinations around
the world, mainly to the Gulf countries.

Conflict Resolution Workshop concludes in Jowhar: A training of trainers
workshop on conflict resolution was held in Jowhar from 26-30 July. The
seminar, facilitated by the international NGO, ACCORD and a local women
group, IDA, was sponsored by UNIFEM and UNICEF. Some 25 women
representatives from districts in the Middle Shabelle region
participated in the workshop which aimed at training on conflict
resolution at the grassroots level and good governance. Also, in Jowhar,
UNDOS Technical Assistance Programme organised a two-day training
workshop on local governance from 23-24 August.


This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int

UN Humanitarian Coordinator and 
Resident Representative for Somalia Nairobi Office
Mr. Dominik Langenbacher
Tel.: (254 2) 226.408 - 222.060
Fax: (254 2) 217.483


Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) - Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Mr. Thierry Delbreuve
Tel.: (41 22) 788.6384
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org


Complex Emergencies Division (CED) - New York
Ms. Nancee Oku Bright
Tel.: (1 212) 963.2198
Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail : bright@un.org 


Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org



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