Somaliland Assistance Bulletin July September 2007

Transcription

1 CONTENTS OF THE REPORT (Pages). I. Humanitarian situation of the country (1-2). II. Humanitarian Response. Humanitarian Response to flood affected communities (2) IDP/Protection Issues (2-3). Health Response (3) Disaster Preparedness (4) HIV/AIDS (4-5) III. Coordination Issues Coordination mechanism in place (5) United Nations Transitional Plan for 2008 (5) Consolidated Appeal Process and priorities for humanitarian issues for 2008 (5-6). Aid Coordination (6) Surveys and Assessments (6-7) OCHA website for Somalia/Somaliland (7) IV. Access Issues (7). I. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION As reported by FSAU post Gu assessment, most areas received normal rain fall in the last Gu season except areas in Sool and Sanaag regions which are in alert situation and need follow up and monitoring. More rains continue to be received in several parts of Somaliland even after the assessment during Karan season. Improved access to water and pasture for most pastoral livelihoods was reported particularly in the northern and western parts of the country. More rains are also expected during the Deyr season (October-November 2007). Crop production was estimated 141% of the post war average (PWA 1 ). Although crop production prospect is above PWA for most agro-pastoral areas, the bulk of harvest (74%) for this season is from Gabiley district of Hargeisa region followed by Awdal (16%). Although no acute food security is reported, the livelihood situation of the country is predominantly food insecure according to FSAU food and livelihood phase classification with expected increase in livestock, mainly for shoats, following two consecutive relatively good seasons. However, due to prolonged droughts in the recent past that reduced their coping mechanisms, communities in rural areas require recovery interventions to improve restoring community assets and build up resilience to shocks. Malnutrition condition of the under five children (U5) in the IDP settlements of Somaliland towns (Hargeisa, Berbera and Burao) is at emergency 2 and critical 3 levels and requires immediate attention of Somaliland authorities and humanitarian agencies. According the preliminary findings 1 Post War Average is the period of Any GAM level within like that of Hargeisa is considered emergency (serious). 3 Any GAM levels greater or equal to 15% is considered critical or alarming (e.g. Burao and Berbera). of a nutrition survey of the U5 children conducted in September 2007 by the nutrition cluster in the IDP settlements in the main towns of Somaliland, Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates for U5 children are 10.3%, 15.8%, and 16.3% for Hargeisa, Burao and Berbera IDP settlements respectively while Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) figures are 1.3%, 1.7% and 3.8% for the same IDP settlements respectively. The report represents 70,000 IDPs/returnees for Hargeisa town (e.g. like Statehouse, Stadium, Dami, Sheik Nur, Mohamed Moge, etc.) and 1200 and 900 vulnerable households for Burao (e.g. Koosaar, Aden Suleiman, Yirowe, etc) and Berbera (Jamalaya, Findland, etc) respectively. The malnutrition figures reported for U5 children in 2007 are similar to those reported in 2005 and 2006 for the same settlements and even in 2001 which is a demonstration of delayed response or lack of appropriate response. In October 2005 and March 2006, the GAM rates for Burao and Berbera were 15.1% and 16.3% respectively. For U5 children of the most vulnerable groups including IDPs in Hargeisa town, the malnutrition has deteriorated from 7.6% in 2005 to 10.3% in In most cases correlation with diarrhea and ARI was reportedly significant as lack of safe drinking water and poor access to sanitation facilities are believed to be among the root causes of malnutrition. Food interventions for malnourished children, improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities and support to livelihood options such as income generation was recommended as important for addressing the malnutrition issues effectively. UNICEF and WFP are planning food interventions (supplementary feeding) to address the malnutrition of the children in the IDP settlements. Some localized floods (e.g. Bali Abane and Gumar in Hargeisa region, Boon in Awdal region, and Yufle and Dagar in Sanaag region) were reported during this quarter. Reporting fewer cases during this third quarter of the year (2007), the excessive Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) was slowing down with continued efforts to address this issue by the concerned authorities and humanitarian actors like UNICEF, WHO and many others. In this second quarter of this year, more than 1000 persons were hospitalized due to AWD in Hargeisa, Burao and Borama towns whereas about 30 deaths were reported. During lab tests, CHOLERA cases were confirmed. The outbreak of AWD in Somaliland was reported after such outbreaks were confirmed in Mogadishu and other neighboring countries like Djibouti. Unsafe drinking water and poor access to sanitation facilities (latrines) are widely believed to be among the major causes of such diarrhea outbreaks. The increase of food prices within this quarter particularly in August is really a problem affecting the poor and destitute households the most. For instance; the prices of the basic food items like rice and wheat flour have gone up from $ 18-1

2 19 to $29-30 and $16-17 to $25-26 per 50 Kg respectively within two weeks in August This increased price of food can exacerbate the already poor conditions of the malnourished children for the u5 children in the poorest sectors of the community including IDPs. Although Somaliland Shilling remained less fluctuating against the dollar for the last few years, the devaluation of the US dollar was obvious during this quarter. The inflation is highly affecting the eastern regions like Sanaag region which has trade relations with Puntland. The cause of inflation in Puntland and eastern regions was interpreted as the printing of fake Somali shilling which is widely reported in August II. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE Inter-Agency Emergency Response to flood affected communities Several emergency situations were reported as Karan rains (July-September) destroyed shelter and basic infrastructure (health posts, schools) in several locations throughout the country. In collaboration with the Ministry of National Planning and Coordination and NERAD, UN agencies and NGOs (both International and Local) have exerted coordinated efforts to response to the flood-affected communities in the various locations like Boon (Awdal Region), Bali Abane and Gumar (Hargeisa region) and Yufle and Dagar (Sanaag region) based on the inter-agency assessments made prior to the delivery of the assistance. The assistance delivered includes the rehabilitation of the damaged schools for Bali Abane, Gumar and Boon villages by NRC, Food for Assets for assisting the asset creation of the communities of Bali Abane, Gumar and Boon by WFP with Candlelight as implementing partner, and technical support to beehive owners by FAO (for Boon Communities). UNHCR supported in the provision of emergency shelter to affected households in Bali Abane and Gumar. UNICEF assisted the rehabilitation of the MCH at Gumar village. About 227 households (1362 persons) in Bali-Abane, Gumar and Boon benefited from this assistance. According to an inter-agency assessment carried out from 6 th to 11 th September 2007 in flood affected areas of Sanaag region particularly Dagar and Yufle villages more than 1000 livestock herds (mainly shoats) died during stormy rains. To avoid falling into destitution, some of the households need restocking. UNICEF delivered medical supplies including 150 ITNS and 2 health post kits to Yufle MCH right after the floods to strengthen local preparedness for any negative health hazards that may follow the rains. IDP and Projection Issues. Emergency Response to displaced communities in Eegaag (Buhoodle district) On 9th August 2007 joint humanitarian response assistance was started for about 600 households who were displaced due to intra-clan conflict within Buhoodle district of Togdheer region. Inhabited by people displaced from several villages in this district, Eegaag became a large displacement camp and after inter-agency assessment in August 2007, a desperate humanitarian condition was reported which triggered the humanitarian response. The assistance delivered included food (104 Mtns of assorted commodities enough for 2 months), water trucking (3000 drums of water + installation of 2 water bladders), hygiene kits for 390 families, emergency shelter (400 plastic sheets) and 400 sleeping mats. Planned activities included construction of sanitation facilities (30-40 latrines), temporary school tents (3) and construction of a water source (1). WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, and DRC were among the main actors that participated in responding to the humanitarian needs in Eegaag village. A local NGO called Haqsoor was active in the reconciliation process to restore peace in the area in collaboration with traditional elders and other actors like DRC. Unfortunately the humanitarian assistance was slowed down after the withdrawal of most agencies that were operating in the area due to one insecurity incident involving the injury of a driver for a UNICEF-rented vehicle. After hospitalized and operated in Burao hospital, the wounded driver, Mr. Abdilahi Salan is in good condition and agencies are considering re-engaging their activities as the security situation allows. The perpetrator was reportedly captured by the local community condemning him as criminal element. Having differences on who represents who, some people in the community were not happy with the committee that was working with the humanitarian agencies. Hence, remaining on the principle of do no harm is very important for humanitarian actors in day-to-day activities and contacts with the community elders. Land preparation in Ayaha III, a new relocation site for Statehouse IDPs and Completion of 87 low cost houses in Ayaha II (UNHABITAT). UNHABITAT in collaboration with the Hargeisa Municipality, MRRR and Ministry of Interior has started site planning for Ayaha III as part of the proposed joint programme which intends to resettle more 3000 IDP household in Statehouse settlement in Hargeisa to Ayaha III provided that basic services and other necessary infrastructure are funded. However; initial assessments indicate that the Ayaha III site may not accommodate more than 2000 households when properly managed due to the existence of gullies, hills, graveyards, flood prone areas, and the allocation of public facilities. Therefore, there is a need to find other sites within Hargeisa town for 2

3 accommodating more than 1000 households. According to a written notice which was widely disseminated to farmers and land owners in the Ayaha III area by the Municipality of Hargeisa, The planning and re-adjustment exercise relates to land situated on the west side of Ayaha II in Ahmed Dhegeh District, South-West of Hargeisa. The purpose of this exercise is to plan the south west expansion of the city through the provision of urban services and infrastructure and the replanning of land use to support mixed residential settlements including the integration of displaced communities. Accordingly, all new developments in the indicated area are hereby forbidden until the completion of this exercise. This notice (written in Somali) was intended to inform the local community about the possible resettlement of IDPs and the need to collaborate with local authorities. This process involves the farmers and land owners in site planning whereby land owners are negotiated with and requested to be flexible to allow the reintegration of IDPs within them. This is in connection with a joint programme worked out by both Somaliland authorities, UN agencies and INGOs that intends to find funds to improve living conditions of 3 IDP settlements (Dami, Statehouse and Stadium) in Hargeisa town and to help resettle the Statehouse IDP settlement as a pilot project. The joint programme is trying to address access to basic services, low cost shelter and land provision, support to livelihoods and protection of the concerned communities. The Japanese-funded Shelter project in Ayaha II implemented by UNHABITAT through HAVOYOCO with the support of WFP is yielding promising results as the first patch of 87 houses are ready to be handed over to the beneficiaries after about two years of construction and vocational training for about 500 people. These people were equipped with construction skills (e.g. masonry, carpentry, etc.) and many of them are reportedly becoming competent in the local markets. The target for low cost housing was 340 units of which about 160 are expected to be finished this year (2007) including the 87 which are completed. The remaining half (53%) will be implemented next year (2008) provided the availability of funds. UNHABITAT-implemented shelter project in Ayah II (Source: UNHABITAT). Some of the protection Activities in IDP settlements and towns generally. With Haqsoor (LNGO) as a local implementing partner and in collaboration with MRRR, UNHCR has started community policing initiative in Statehouse IDP settlement as a pilot initiative and the activities will expand to other settlements in Hargeisa as well. This project will strengthen the links and communication between local communities in the IDP settlements and the local police to enhance protection of women and girls and the inhabitants of the settlements in general. UNHCR has already installed security lights in certain strategic places in Statehouse to reduce risk of SGBV incidents in the night. Other ongoing protection activities in IDP settlements include case management of SGBV victims with referral mechanisms such as psycho-social support, legal clinic and medical care. Furthermore, child protection awareness, protection monitoring activities to report on human rights violations and its trends, tracking of population movement to highlight the level and trends of crisis induced movements (i.e. displacement from SC Somalia, Ogaden region of Ethiopia, tensions in Lasanod area of Sool region, Buhoodle district of Togdheer region, etc.) and women and child desks to support the women and children who are arrested by the police (mostly in conflict with law), and general support to judiciary system policies and police are among protection-related activities. Child Protection Awareness raising by CCBRS in Laalays Village (Sahil Region). IOM is leading a mixed migrant taskforce with to objective to reduce flow of irregular migrants and asylum seekers from Ethiopia and Somalia to Yemen via Somaliland (Togwajale, Burao, etc.) and Bossaso in collaboration with UNHCR and the local authorities. This includes outreach support and protection to vulnerable migrants and keeping them informed of the dangers awaiting them in their journeys as hundreds die across the Gulf of Aden due to use of unreliable boats or mistreatment during trafficking. IDPs, refugees, minority groups and urban poor are mainly the victims of the human right abuses in the country. UNHCR, UNICEF, DRC, NRC, UNDP ROLS, IOM and Save the Children Alliance are among the major actors that either implement directly or provide technical and financial 3

4 support to the protection activities which are implemented by local partners (LNGOs). Such LNGOs include Haqsoor, CCBRS, Legal Clinic, SHURO-NET, VOSOMWO, GAASHAAN, Deeqa, Heegan, and many others (the list is not inclusive). Most of the actors interact through the protection working group that meets on monthly basis. Furthermore the IDP working group provides another forum with more partners like WFP, UNHABITAT, Handicap International, DAN, and many others to addresses general cross sectoral issues (emergency response to IDPs, provision of basic services, addressing malnutrition, assessments/surveys, etc) while protection working group focuses on protection issues. The concerned line ministries that coordinate protection activities include the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Development, SL-NHRC and the police. MRRR coordinate all issues related with IDPs. Health Response UNICEF was supporting ministry of health to contain spread of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD), implement child immunization activities in 4 regional capitals, the establishment of PMTCT services in Somaliland hospitals (2) and MHCS (2), the establishment of therapeutic feeding centers in Berbera and Burao towns to address the problem of malnourished children among the most vulnerable groups such as IDPs, returnees and urban poor. UNICEF is also planning to assist in the construction of 2 storey office space for the Ministry of Health. After assessments, WHO reported that more birth attendants in IDP settlements are not trained and may contribute to the spread of STIs (e.g. HIV/AIDs) and hence WHO is planning to conduct training for these birth attendants working in the IDP settlements in The training will start with 20 birth attendants in Dami settlement. With HAVOYOCO as the implementing partner, Oxfam GB has recently started an emergency support project for CTCs for about 40,000 households in the poorest quarters of Hargeisa including the IDP settlements. The objective of the project is to contain and reduce the spread of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) in the target areas through improved sanitation and isolation procedures for AWD patients, improved access to clean water and improved public health awareness. This project started in August and is planned to continue until December PSI in collaboration with the MOHL has recently started distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLITNS) to the general public and pregnant women and children under 5 in particular through behavior change communications and social marketing of insecticide treated bed nets. The objective is to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality through increased use of LLITNS. UNFPA is planning to start reproductive health and SGBV response in 6 IDP settlements (e.g. Stadium, Dami, Ayaha I & II, Mohamed Moge and Sheik Nur). This project will deliver medical equipment and train health care workers on reproductive health in 6 MHCs in the 6 IDP settlements to reduce to level of birth-related deaths. As reported malnutrition figures are higher in the IDP settlements of Burao and Berbera, it also advisable to start such activities in these other settlements. HIV/AIDS in More people start announcing their HIV/AIDs status in Somaliland despite strong stigmatization associated with this situation. On 18 th September 2007, a group of 20 persons (or even more) publicly announced their HIV/AIDS status as reported by the local media (Geeska Africa News Paper). According to this report, it is the first time that a group of people publicly announced their status in Few individuals who expressed their positive status openly suffered humiliating discrimination and stigma like Mr. Olad Dhore Warsame, 61 year old man who died while attempting to change the perceptions on HIV/AIDS. Normally the existence of strong stigmatization related with HIV/AIDs prevents many to announce their status publicly and leads to under-reporting of HIV/AIDS prevalence. Provided the low awareness levels and the fact that the country is neighboring to countries with high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and significant movement to and from these countries, the risk of contraction of the virus is high. In September 2005, the Somaliland authorities launched an AIDS Commission Somaliland National AIDS Commission (SOLNAC) to coordinate activities related to prevention and respond to HIV/AIDs. The overall average prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Somaliland is estimated at 1.4%. In June 2005, the first anti-retroviral therapy (ART) project (implemented by the Ministry of Health) was started. About 200 people are receiving ART drugs freely at the moment with the support of health actors of the UN and NGOs. UNAIDS funded the facilitation of a HIV/AID Training of Trainers that was conducted on 26 th to 30 th of August 2007 at Maansoor Hotel in Hargeisa with about 20 participants from all UN agencies (from Somaliland, Puntland and SC Somalia). Apart from delivering the basic practices and concepts in regard to prevention and response to HIV/AIDS, the facilitation skills needed for a trainer was also the main focus of this training. The objective of this training was to create pool of trainers in HIV/AIDS throughout Somalia/Somaliland to strengthen the capacity of the UN agencies to conduct more training on HIV/AIDS in the field. Disaster Preparedness. NERAD officially shoulders the responsibility of leading the coordination of emergency response and disaster 4

5 preparedness in Somaliland during this quarter. On 19 th September 2007, a short ceremony was organized at NERAD compound whereby UNICEF and Oxfam GB handed over a well-furnished conference hall to NERAD. As part of capacity building support, OXFAM GB constructed the conference hall whereas UNICEF furnished it fully as standard conference hall. In the same ceremony, the Minister of Planning and Coordination, Hon. Ali Ibrahim, handed over the emergency/humanitarian coordination issues to NERAD as this is the government institution mandated to coordinate and manage emergency response and disaster preparedness. Approved through parliamentary vote in August 2007, NERAD (the National Environmental Research and Disaster Preparedness) appealed for humanitarian actors in Somaliland in supporting the capacity of this institution to be able coordinate effectively the emergency preparedness and response due to meager resources of Somaliland authorities. Following are some of the priority areas this institution asks for support. 1) The Establishment of Emergency Response Plans at National, regional and district levels (for 6 months), 2) Training NERAD staff in Emergency Preparedness and development of contingency plans at all levels, 3) The establishment of an Emergency Response Fund (cash or kind), 4) The establishment of nationally owned early warning and information management system (a pilot project to be initiated), 5) Support in operational costs (staff mobility, communications, etc) and staffing (e.g. secondment of qualified staff, etc.), 6) Fire fighting interventions. No firefighting mechanism in place in the whole country and 7) Establishment of Diploma level training and research institute on dry-lands to prevent and mitigate desertification. III. COORDINATION ISSUES Coordination Mechanisms in Place. The current coordination mechanisms in place consist of sectoral coordination forums such as education, health and water which are led by the line Ministries like the Ministry of Education, Min. of Health and Water respectively. Crosssectoral coordination forums include the emergency/humanitarian coordination forum led by NERAD, the IDP forum led by MRRR, and protection by the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Family and Social Development. Most meetings occur on monthly basis. Each line Ministry is supported by key lead agencies/organizations (UN agencies and INGOs) in each of the sectors indicated. For instance, OCHA supports MRRR and NERAD (formerly Ministry of Planning) in coordination of delivering coordinated humanitarian response to IDPs and to communities affected by the disasters (floods, droughts, etc). United Nations Resident Coordinator s Office Established in Hargeisa. During this reporting period, the United Nations Coordinator s Office was established in Hargeisa to coordinate the activities of UN agencies in collaboration with Somaliland authorities (mainly with the Ministry of Planning) in development and recovery issues especially the implementation of United Nations Transitional Plan (UNTP) for while the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will be focusing on humanitarian issues in coordination with humanitarian actors and Somaliland authorities (mainly with NERAD and MRRR). A Workshop for Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) 2008 organized in Hargeisa and priority needs for major humanitarian issues identified for Organized by OCHA on 20 th August 2007, the participation of 2008 CAP 4 consultation workshop in Hargeisa was considerably high as 67 persons attended including UN (33), INGOs (9), Somaliland Authorities (12), LNGOs (10) and EC (1). As humanitarian needs and priorities are discussed in detail in the CAP 2008 consultations, 3 pre-consultation meetings were held before the workshop to allow enough participation of Somaliland line ministries, NGOs and UN agencies. The specific objectives of such consultation was to agree on most likely context and humanitarian consequence for Somaliland in 2008, define priorities for humanitarian needs and maintain a long-term perspective on humanitarian objectives including building of local capacities in responding to emergencies. Following are among the priority humanitarian needs for major thematic areas which CAP 2008 should focus:- Protection Priorities protection response mechanisms improved; increased Community Mobilization on prevention of SGBV and other human rights violations; increased community participation in planning and implementation of protection-related projects using bottom-up approaches; improved coordination of stakeholders and groups working in protection, gender, FGM, etc; improved linkages and synergies (gender, FGM, etc. groups); establish emergency strategy (contingency planning) with clear roles and responsibilities (for floods, fire outbreaks, etc.) Health priorities improve capacity of MOHL to respond to health emergencies; improve sanitation and hygiene conditions of urban areas; increase assistance/attention to mental health; Flexibility needed in resource allocation in emergencies by SL government; increase resource allocation to respond to disease outbreaks; assist MOHL in creating new generation of doctors to prevent future crisis in health sector. Education priorities - CAP to support education for most marginalized groups (eg, IDPs, urban poor, minority groups, 4 CAP, as a fund raising tool, provides a framework for donor funding for the humanitarian issues and Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP). 5

6 rural communities); increase emergency education (alternative basic education in IDP and minority settlements, mobile schools in pastoral communities); increase resources for teacher motivation (incentives); integrated approaches to improve access to education; income-generating activities (e.g. skills training and livelihood support) can increase access to education; increase education activities in eastern regions (e.g. Sool and Sanaag Region). Water/Sanitation priorities improve access to safe drinking water for IDPs, minority groups and urban poor through construction of more water points; improve hygiene of water sources (esp. open water sources such as dams); increase community awareness on water born diseases; government to show commitment to implement Public Private Partnership (PPP) to improve service delivery for water supply systems; improve capacity of water agencies and Water Ministry to implement PPP systems; nutrition cluster to conduct nutrition assessments in the IDP settlements (nutrition assessment was done). Shelter/housing land provision for IDPs to be accelerated; UNHABITAT, Municipality and MRRR to continue negotiating with land owners on behalf of landless IDPs; improve harmonization of permanent shelter design to avoid confusion of beneficiaries; improve layout of crowded IDP settlements to reduce fire outbreaks. Livelihoods and environmental conservation Livelihood support for IDPs, minority groups, urban poor and droughtweakened pastoralists (e.g. restocking for pastoral destitute households, micro-credit, skills/vocational training for urban poor, IDPs, minority groups); early recovery and disaster risk reduction projects to address environmental degradation instead of waiting to respond to frequent disasters (community-based grazing reserves, water harvesting interventions, rehabilitating flood-prevention structures); improved coordination by agencies and government institutions and joint programming to be encouraged as impact of individual agencies/organizations will have extremely limited impact; Land Tenure Policies/Laws to be established to address the increasing environmental problems/issues; awareness rising of local communities and more training on environmental issues (water harvesting, environmental management, etc.) Disaster preparedness - Coherent/joint efforts to address the capacity of NERAD; implementing agencies/ organizations to build capacity of relevant line ministries to respond to emergencies; build up a national cross-cutting emergency and contingency planning. United Nations Transitional Plan for On 20 th August 2007, UNITED NATIONS with all its mandated agencies launched a common two- year development plan called UNITED NATIONS TRANSITIONAL PLAN (UNTP) for to address the development and recovery needs of Somaliland as outlined in the Recovery and Development Programme (RDP), a five year development plan ( ), which was developed through the Joint Needs Assessment Consultations conducted by the UN, World Bank and Somaliland Partners. The UNTP for addresses the following five overall strategic outcomes: - 1. Key Somaliland institutions administer and manage core government functions. 2. Local governance contributes to peace and equitable priority service delivery. 3. Improved security and protection under the law for all. 4. Children, youth and vulnerable groups have increased and more equitable access to quality education and health services. 5. Vulnerable and marginalized groups have improved sustainable food security and economic opportunities. These strategic outcomes prioritized in the UNTP are intended to contribute to the realization of the overall objectives outlined in the RDP which are: - (i) Deepening peace, improving security and establishing good governance; (ii) Investing in people through improved social services; and (iii) Creating an enabling environment for private sector-led growth to expand employment and reduce poverty. The RDP provides a framework for donor funding for the period of The UNTP was prepared through consultations with international agencies/organizations including NGOs, Somaliland authorities and other local partners. The last consultation workshop was conducted on 8 th and 9 th September However, there are still further consultations to be carried out between Somaliland authorities and UN agencies to complete the annual work plan for Aid Coordination in Ministry of National Planning and Coordination was leading the establishment of better Aid Coordination in On 3 rd July 2007, a team consisting of IASC (represented by UNOCHA), UN agencies (UNICEF, UNESCO PEER and RC Office), Donors (represented by EC), NGO Consortium (represented by DRC) and Ministry of Planning & Coordination discussed on Aid Coordination Issues between Somaliland and International Community at Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa. The main issue of discussion was the Aid Coordination Mechanisms and Structures (principles, structures and mechanisms for Somaliland AID Coordination) proposed by the Minister of Planning and Coordination, Hon. Ali Ibrahim and his team. Surveys and Assessments. During this quarter the inter-agency post-gu assessment lead by FSAU/FAO in collaboration with Somaliland authorities was finalized and presented to the end users including the Somaliland authorities, UN agencies and NGOs. Apart from the determination of the food security status of the country, 6

7 the assessment includes useful information on nutrition trends and useful recommendation on most likely interventions that will assist these communities recover better from the droughts in the recent past. other regions of Somaliland are in phase III according to a circular from UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL issued on 26 th April The nutrition cluster finalized a nutrition assessment in IDP settlements and the most vulnerable groups in major towns of The report of the assessment is expected to be disseminated soon. The preliminary findings of the survey were presented to the humanitarian actors. FAO has finalized a baseline assessment on gums and resins in eastern regions of Somaliland and final report is expected to be shared in the coming weeks. In collaboration with UNAIDs and local partners (LNGOs), International Organization for Migration (IOM) is conducting HIV Hot-Spot Mapping targeting the most vulnerable sectors of the community including transactional sex workers/clients, truck drivers, seafarers, IDPs, refugees, etc. Collecting data at strategic locations throughout the country including Hargeisa, Berbera, and Togwajale (both sides of the border), the expected output is a summary report (both in Somali and English) with recommendations for WHO HIV/AIDs surveillance survey planned for At the end of this mapping exercise in December 2007 (as planned), there will be a validation workshop in order to finalize the findings and recommendations in this report. OCHA WEBSITE for Somalia. In late 2006, OCHA Somalia/Somaliland launched a website ( for the sake of information sharing and networking for the different humanitarian actors. This website provides a medium in which different humanitarian actors can post and reflect their activities (situational reports, 3Ws, cluster updates, plans, etc). IV. HUMANITARIAN ACCESS (POLITICAL/SECURITY) Somaliland has been stable and peaceful during this reporting period despite the political unrest in the South. However, for the second time some clashes and tensions that started in September 2007 are reported in Lasanod areas of Sool region between Puntland and Somaliland administrations. In mid April 2007, armed clashes were also reported in Dahar area of Sanaag region. Contested areas of Sool and Sanaag regions provide source for tensions and potential unrest for Somaliland and Puntland which can lead to humanitarian crisis for the civilians. Access problems were reported by major humanitarian actors including the UN and INGOs although both administrations agreed on unimpeded access to the people in need of humanitarian assistance. Due to these tensions between Puntland and Somaliland, the security phase of these regions remained phase IV as all 7