(Medeshi) 15 Aug, 2008Somalia : Situation Report No. 32 Main developments
Insecurity continues to threaten humanitarian workers operating in Somalia. A World Vision International (WVI) local staff member was killed on 12 August in Waajid, Bakool region, following a shootout between Al-Shabaab and Waajid airstrip guards near the WVI and United Nations compounds. The guards were reportedly asked to hand over their weapons, which they refused to do, prompting the shootout. Two women were wounded during the incident, bringing the total number of aid-related workers killed in Somalia since January to 22.
Civilians still bear the brunt of the conflict between Ethiopian/Transitional Federal Government forces and insurgents. In Wanla Weyn, Lower Shabelle, it is estimated that six civilians were killed on 11 August when Ethiopian forces opened fire indiscriminately. The shooting was triggered by a roadside bomb explosion that killed two Ethiopian soldiers as the forces were travelling to Baidoa. On 14 August, it is reported that Ethiopian forces shot at a mini bus travelling from Mogadishu to Wanla Weyn, alleging it was carrying insurgents who had attacked them earlier. Six more civilians were killed and seven others wounded.
In another incident involving WVI staff in Salagle, Middle Juba region, 10 local staff members were arrested by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) during a food distribution on 10 August. The distribution targeting was allegedly the reason for the arrests. Following negotiations by elders, the staff members were released the next day, and the food distribution was completed.
NGO SAACID reported on 10 August that one of the food kitchens in Mogadishu's Heliwaa district was closed on 2 August following a food riot due to the absence of sufficient security personnel to ensure order at the distribution site. Some site staff members were badly beaten and the food for the day was looted. Following closure of the site, SAACID and local authorities met to discuss possibilities for a new location. The ability to better manage security will be one of the criteria for site selection.
In Gaalkacyo, where tensions have been high, elders met on 10 August to settle differences between the northern and southern communities, but failed to come to an agreement. In the past month, the two communities have been attacking each other. Assassinations, a bomb explosion and grenade attacks have been reported.
Visit to Puntland by Humanitarian Coordinator
A joint mission, led by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, OCHA, UNHCR and DSS, visited Garoowe and Bossaso in Puntland this week. The mission met with Government officials to discuss how to increase access for humanitarian workers. The security situation in Puntland was also discussed. The mission met with local partners and visited IDPs to discuss their needs and the increased response to the emerging drought, food crisis and scaling up assistance to the displaced populations.
Interagency Assessment of Belet Weyne
An interagency assessment in and around Belet Weyne, Hiraan region, started on 13 August to assess the humanitarian needs of more than 70,000 Internally Displaced Persons who were displaced following heavy fighting between Ethiopian forces and insurgents during July. The INGO Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is leading the assessment and the results will be shared next week.
Humanitarian Response
Although no fighting was reported in Belet Weyne during the week, WFP convoys of approximately 1,500 metric tones of food for 148,000 beneficiaries in Hiraan region were delayed due to tensions in the area. WFP have also experienced difficulties reaching displaced populations who have moved into rural villages, due to limited resources and insecurity.
CARE distributed 1,410 metric tons of food to 17,474 beneficiaries in Belet Weyne, Bulo Burto, Jalalaqsi, Matabaan and Maxaas districts in Hiraan region this week. In Bossaso, Puntland, WFP, working with DRC, completed a second round of general food distribution for 39,210 IDPs from 22 settlements. Another 3,558 residents also benefited from the distribution.
Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) 2009
The process for the CAP 2009 has begun. Consultations were held during the week in Hargeysa, Somaliland. For South/Central, due to security constraints, the workshop will be held on 21 August in Nairobi. Consultations for Puntland, will take place on 28 August in Garowe. The Nairobi workshop will be on 4 and 5 September, primarily for sector/cluster participants to work on response plans. Information from the field workshops will be consolidated in the 2009 CAP document.
Further Information in Somali or English, Contact: Rita Maingi on 254 734 800 120 – maingi@un.org Webiste address: http://ochaonline.un.org/somalia
Insecurity continues to threaten humanitarian workers operating in Somalia. A World Vision International (WVI) local staff member was killed on 12 August in Waajid, Bakool region, following a shootout between Al-Shabaab and Waajid airstrip guards near the WVI and United Nations compounds. The guards were reportedly asked to hand over their weapons, which they refused to do, prompting the shootout. Two women were wounded during the incident, bringing the total number of aid-related workers killed in Somalia since January to 22.
Civilians still bear the brunt of the conflict between Ethiopian/Transitional Federal Government forces and insurgents. In Wanla Weyn, Lower Shabelle, it is estimated that six civilians were killed on 11 August when Ethiopian forces opened fire indiscriminately. The shooting was triggered by a roadside bomb explosion that killed two Ethiopian soldiers as the forces were travelling to Baidoa. On 14 August, it is reported that Ethiopian forces shot at a mini bus travelling from Mogadishu to Wanla Weyn, alleging it was carrying insurgents who had attacked them earlier. Six more civilians were killed and seven others wounded.
In another incident involving WVI staff in Salagle, Middle Juba region, 10 local staff members were arrested by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) during a food distribution on 10 August. The distribution targeting was allegedly the reason for the arrests. Following negotiations by elders, the staff members were released the next day, and the food distribution was completed.
NGO SAACID reported on 10 August that one of the food kitchens in Mogadishu's Heliwaa district was closed on 2 August following a food riot due to the absence of sufficient security personnel to ensure order at the distribution site. Some site staff members were badly beaten and the food for the day was looted. Following closure of the site, SAACID and local authorities met to discuss possibilities for a new location. The ability to better manage security will be one of the criteria for site selection.
In Gaalkacyo, where tensions have been high, elders met on 10 August to settle differences between the northern and southern communities, but failed to come to an agreement. In the past month, the two communities have been attacking each other. Assassinations, a bomb explosion and grenade attacks have been reported.
Visit to Puntland by Humanitarian Coordinator
A joint mission, led by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, OCHA, UNHCR and DSS, visited Garoowe and Bossaso in Puntland this week. The mission met with Government officials to discuss how to increase access for humanitarian workers. The security situation in Puntland was also discussed. The mission met with local partners and visited IDPs to discuss their needs and the increased response to the emerging drought, food crisis and scaling up assistance to the displaced populations.
Interagency Assessment of Belet Weyne
An interagency assessment in and around Belet Weyne, Hiraan region, started on 13 August to assess the humanitarian needs of more than 70,000 Internally Displaced Persons who were displaced following heavy fighting between Ethiopian forces and insurgents during July. The INGO Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is leading the assessment and the results will be shared next week.
Humanitarian Response
Although no fighting was reported in Belet Weyne during the week, WFP convoys of approximately 1,500 metric tones of food for 148,000 beneficiaries in Hiraan region were delayed due to tensions in the area. WFP have also experienced difficulties reaching displaced populations who have moved into rural villages, due to limited resources and insecurity.
CARE distributed 1,410 metric tons of food to 17,474 beneficiaries in Belet Weyne, Bulo Burto, Jalalaqsi, Matabaan and Maxaas districts in Hiraan region this week. In Bossaso, Puntland, WFP, working with DRC, completed a second round of general food distribution for 39,210 IDPs from 22 settlements. Another 3,558 residents also benefited from the distribution.
Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) 2009
The process for the CAP 2009 has begun. Consultations were held during the week in Hargeysa, Somaliland. For South/Central, due to security constraints, the workshop will be held on 21 August in Nairobi. Consultations for Puntland, will take place on 28 August in Garowe. The Nairobi workshop will be on 4 and 5 September, primarily for sector/cluster participants to work on response plans. Information from the field workshops will be consolidated in the 2009 CAP document.
Further Information in Somali or English, Contact: Rita Maingi on 254 734 800 120 – maingi@un.org Webiste address: http://ochaonline.un.org/somalia
