UNICEF SITUATION REPORT- SOMALIA EXTERNAL 1-31 August 2009 MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS/HIGHLIGHTS An estimated 3.76 million people in Somalia are in need of humanitarian support according to UNICEF s partner FSNAU (Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia). With already half of the population in a humanitarian crisis, FSNAU warns that an escalation in fighting could deteriorate the humanitarian situation further. Several incidents of looting and direct attacks on UN and partner assets took place during the reporting period affecting the delivery of critical humanitarian support to thousands of Somalis. UNICEF s humanitarian appeal remains only 28% funded and the Somalia CAP only 53% funded, three quarters into 2009. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION Food Security and Nutrition Situation FAO s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit reported on 24 August that 3.76 million Somalis are in a humanitarian crisis projected until December 2009 18 per cent increase from Jan-Jun 2009 projections of 3.2 million in need of humanitarian support. Of the 3.76 million, some 75 per cent are located in Central South Zone in Somalia (CSZ) where fighting continues to shrink already limited humanitarian access. Today, one in five children in Somalia are acutely malnourished compared to one in six as assessed in early 2009; and one in 20 are severely malnourished (National Global Acute Malnutrition- GAM- 19 per cent, Severe Acute Malnutrition SAM- 4.6 per cent). In addition, more than two thirds of the 285,000 acutely malnourished children under five (of whom 70,000 are severely malnourished and at risk of death without appropriate nutritional support) are located in CSZ. IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) continue to be nutritionally very vulnerable with higher GAM rates, 20 per cent compared to non-idps at 18 per cent. As interview with UNICEF Somalia Representative is posted on UNICEF Website: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/somalia_50962.html Food insecurity in central south continues mainly due to lack of access. The epicentre of the drought crisis is in Mudug, Galgaduud, Hiran and Bakool regions caused by five consecutive seasons of drought. In these areas, 75 per cent of the total population are classified as being in Humanitarian Emergency. In the north, an emerging drought after two to three consecutive seasons of below normal rainfall is deteriorating food security and malnutrition rates have increased to emergency threshold levels of 15 per cent in some areas. In the north, an estimated 255,000 people are considered to be in an Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis, while another 25,000 are in Humanitarian Emergency. Violence in and around Mogadishu An estimated 106 people have died, and 128 injured, due to fierce fighting in CSZ during the last week in August. This follows fighting which erupted on 7 May between insurgent groups and government forces in and around Mogadishu and has spread to other areas in CSZ. Fighting continued in Mogadishu during the month of August. In Mogadishu alone, 59 people were killed and 119 injured during a six day period of clashes between pro-government and opposition forces. During the month of August, over 160 people were killed and more than 200 wounded (UNHCR, 25 August), with the majority being civilians. Those killed in the crossfire or as a direct result of the violence taking place in Mogadishu include children in and near schools. 1/5
Population Displacements The number of displacements in and around Mogadishu drastically reduced in July and August. UNHCR reports an additional 77,000 people displaced from 1 July to 4 September, while estimates during the months of May and June reached over 180,000. There are now 1.4 million Somalis internally displaced since 2007. SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN ACCESS Security situation in CSZ According to reports, Ethiopian forces (ENDF) supported by the Pro-TFG militia staged an attack and chased away Al Shabaab militants who were in control of the western half of BeletWeyn since 17 August. It is reported that the militia carried out massive looting of privately owned properties, residences and broke into shops. As of the end of the month, reports indicate that Ethiopian troops have vacated BeletWeyn. BeletWeyn is a strategic town close to the border of Ethiopia and thus a location of intense clashes due to its proximity to Ethiopia. In July 2008, fighting between Ethiopian troops supporting the TFG and AGE s (Anti Government Elements) resulted in the displacement of over 70,000 people. In Somaliland (Northwest Zone- NWZ), the security situation remained stable but tense and unpredictable during the reporting period due to organized demonstrations against the government s rejection of pressure from lawmakers to re-consider the upcoming presidential election and decisions to move forward without voter registration. Mediation is taking place between the government and opposition parties. In Puntland (Northeast Zone- NEZ), a curfew was imposed following a deterioration in the security situation in the region of Galkayo. On 12 August, unidentified gunmen in the town of Galkayo killed five foreigners (Islamic clerics) from Pakistan. In early August, the Minister of Information was killed. The former regional governor of Mudug was arrested on 25 August, associated with the assassination of the minister. Humanitarian Access Attacks against humanitarian aid work continued, mainly in South Somalia, during the reporting period. A Maternal and Child Health Centre run by UNICEF s partner, Muslim Aid, was raided and the cold chain looted on 28 August in Jamame. Earlier in the month on 4 August, AGE militias entered the compounds of six International NGOs in Jamame and confiscated humanitarian supplies, office equipment and vehicles. There are reports that most of the humanitarian supplies were taken to Kismayo market. NGO assets in East Jilib, Middle Juba were also occupied and looted. Reports indicate that UNICEF's supplies stored in the partner's warehouse in Jamame were also affected by the looting, including educational supplies that were sent in preparation for the start of the coming school year. As a result, UNICEF was forced to postpone the delivery of high volume supplies for 85,000 children in need of nutrition support. UNICEF issued a press release on 13 August on the postponement of the dispatch of hundreds of tons of high volume life saving nutritional and malaria prevention supplies in certain areas of CSZ. Interview with UNICEF Somalia Representative posted on UNICEF website: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/somalia_50780.html On 16 August, unidentified gunmen attempted to attack the WFP compound in Wajid but were repulsed by compound guards. This was the fourth targeting of UN compounds in the past two months. All UN staff are safe and international staff were immediately evacuated. The security situation is being assessed in order to resume operations. Four NGO aid workers and two Kenya pilots were released on 11 August after being kidnapped in Dhusamareb, Galgaduud region and held for nine months. To-date, 13 aid workers remain in captivity in Somalia. POLITICAL/REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS The TFG and Puntland administrations signed a cooperation agreement on 25 August on issues regarding security, social affairs, power distribution and the constitution. It was agreed that Puntland would participate in international conferences in Somalia alongside the transitional government. 2/5
In Somaliland, opposition parties to the upcoming presidential election have rejected a mediation process proposed by Ethiopian and African Union officials. US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton met with the Somalia TFG President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed during her visit to Kenya. In a press release on 6 August, the UN Special Representative for Somalia called for stronger support from the international community in order for Somalis to rebuild their wartorn society. UNICEF s HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE HEALTH & NUTRITION World Breast Week was commemorated throughout Somalia in August. The opportunity was seized to advocate for improved breastfeeding practices, especially exclusive breastfeeding for children under 6 months and continued breastfeeding for two years with appropriate complementary foods. In line with the global theme for 2009 WBW, communication and advocacy emphasized breastfeeding as a vital response to prevent morbidity and mortality as well as in promoting growth and development, in the emergency context of Somalia. Accelerated Child Survival and Development (ACSD): To date, UNICEF and partners have completed the first round of Child Health Days (CHDs) reaching over 1,072,179 children under-five and 819,862 women of child bearing age throughout Somalia, except in Benadir region and parts of Lower Shabelle region in CSZ. Child Health Days - a mass-campaign strategy to provide critical health services such as vaccination, vitamin A, deworming, diarrhea prevention, nutritional screening and health promotion - are conducted every six months, where access permits, in a phased approach. UNICEF, WHO and Government of Somaliland and partners launched the second round of CHDs in Northwest zone this month in all 19 districts. Approximately 448,130 under-five and 537,000 women of childbearing age (WCBA) were targeted. Campaign data analysis is currently underway and coverage data should be available soon. (Video posted on UNICEF website http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/somalia_51054.html ) In order to further address child and women health in Somaliland, the Ministry of Health and Labor (MoHL) with the support of UNICEF and WHO have embarked on plans to pilot the Reaching Every District (RED) strategy to Maternal and Child Health clinics (MCHs) in at least 10 districts. The RED strategy aims to improve the organization of routine immunization services while maximizing the use of available resources and guarantee sustainable and equitable immunization coverage for every eligible woman and child. The RED approach strengthens national routine immunization programs. The Reach Every District (RED) approach has been introduced in CSZ and Puntland. UNICEF continues to utilize small windows of opportunity to train NGO partners. During the reporting period, two EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization)/RED trainings for 15 partners, total of 21 health workers from areas such as Dhusamareb, Mogadishu, BeletWeyn, Merka, Galkayo and Jowhar took place and included training of trainers (TOT) on RED approach, TOT for vaccinators and communication plan for ACSD. RED will start in Dhusamareb through partner Somalia Red Crescent Society (SRCS) and will be implemented in all regions of Central Zone by October ultimately benefiting all children under five in the targeted areas. The planned TOT for South Zone had to be postponed due to insecurity in Wajid. In addition, a two week regional Cold Chain Technician Training was conducted for six partners (eight cold chain technicians) as part of developing the capacity of NGOs operating regional cold chains in order to a functional cold chain at all times in 10 regions. Trainings of additional 14 cold chain technicians from various partners will be conducted in October. This is part of UNICEF s efforts to decentralize the cold chain infrastructure, which was previously primarily housed within UNICEF compounds and maintained by UNICEF cold chain technicians. Nutrition: Through a local partner, approximately 7,500 IDP children under five in 32 camps in Baidoa are being provided with high energy biscuits as a one-time supplement to their regular diet. With Baidoa town hosting some of the destitute and long-residing IDPs in CSZ, this is a key intervention. In Afgooye and Mogadishu IDP camps, the distribution of the ready-to-use-food supplement, Plumpydoz, oral rehydration salts (ORS) and aqua tabs to all children 6-36 months in an effort to prevent malnutrition, was discontinued following the looting of UNICEF supplies in Jowhar. As a fall 3/5
back mechanism, UNICEF has replaced the supplementation with fortified blended food UNIMIX. 65,000 children are benefiting from the distribution, which began in late August. The third round of Plumpy doz distribution has been completed in all targeted areas in Somaliland-NWZ reaching 14,568 children in Zeila, Borame, Baki, Lughaya, Berbera, Erigavo and Burao districts. In Puntland, 9,973 children under-five in Bosasso IDPs were screened for malnutrition. Screening of all under five children and distribution of UNIMIX for the SFP (Supplementary Feeding Programme) in Galkayo took place during the reporting period. Malaria Prevention: During the month of August, the delivery of over 100,000 treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria to benefit women and children in Jowhar, Balad and Adale in CSZ was delayed due to incidents of looting of aid supplies. However the shipment and distribution is currently underway, with 21,000 bed nets already distributed in Adale, and 90,000 bed nets en route for distribution in Balad and Jowhar. WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE (WASH) In CSZ, about 32,750 people gained access to safe drinking water through UNICEF and partner support during the reporting period. Approximately 23,250 persons acquired access to safe drinking water through the construction of 33 new shallow wells in Mogadishu (12 wells), Elbarde (7), Dolo (7) and Buale (7); and the completion of 15 solar powered water supply systems, in Middle Shabelle (10) and Hiran (5). Rehabilitation of 39 shallow wells in Elbarde (9 wells), Buale (5) and Middle Shabelle (25) has restored access to safe drinking water to 9,500 people in Bakol, Middle Juba and Middle Shabelle Regions. Over 6,500 IDPs were provided with 216 latrines in north Mogadishu (200 latrines) and Garbaharey (16). 270 household latrines were constructed in Elbarde (150 latrines) and Buale (120) benefiting 1,620 settled communities. UNICEF continues to support operations and maintenance of 10 water systems for IDP camps along Afgooye corridor with beneficiaries being more than 200,000 IDPs and host communities. Operations and maintenance support especially chlorination to water systems is continuing, serving more than 900,000 people in CSZ (including those of the Afgooye corridor). The continuous drought in Puntland has devastating effects on population and the situation remains critical, calling for additional humanitarian supports. Efforts are underway to engage local NGO SORSO to reactivate hygiene and sanitation promotion in the 23 IDP camps in Bosasso. SORSO will also promote construction of 14 pit latrines and chlorinate 106 water reservoir and water sources in those camps. The aim is to prevent reoccurrences of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD). Since the beginning of this year, UNICEF and partners have successfully prevented AWD in Bosasso IDP camps where IDPs used to suffer from outbreaks on a yearly basis. There is a move to rehabilitate a water supply near Galkayo town, which will benefit 14,000 people, including 2,700 IDPs staying in Tawakel IDP camp. The rehabilitation work will increase accessibility to safe water for the beneficiaries, as the system will have much better facilities with increased number of water points. EDUCATION The recent occupation of UNICEF partners warehouses in East Jamame, Lower Juba Region and West and East Jilib in Middle Juba Region by the local authorities has adversely affected the distribution of education supplies to emergency affected schools in these areas. This action comes just as the schools and Community Education Committees are preparing for the start of the upcoming 2009-2010 academic year in September. UNICEF provided education supplies are an essential input for a high quality, child-friendly teaching and learning environment, and are an incentive for student enrolment and retention. As a result, a total of16,286 primary school children in parts of Lower and Middle Juba Regions, 26% of them girls, will not have new learning materials available to them when their schools re-open. Rehabilitation of the Baidoa Teacher Resource Centre is well underway and completion is expected by mid September 2009. The centre will serve as a regional hub for teacher training and for reference and production of teaching aids. When completed, 960 teachers, 156 of them females, from an estimated 64 schools will benefit from the utilization of the resource centre. 4/5
Reconstruction of the Wajid Primary School is almost complete, with only minor finishing work and site clearing remaining. The school will be open on time for the up-coming school year and will benefit over 350 children (60% girls). UNICEF, through its partner Water for Life (WFL), provided student learning and teaching materials to 36 schools in Merka, Lower Shabelle Region, which will benefit 13,736 children, 7,407 of them girls. 32 primary schools (8 permanent and 24 emergency tented) in Bay Region received UNICEF provided school furniture benefiting 8,812 primary school children, 3,420 of them girls. COMMUNITY, HIV/AIDS, EMPOWERMENT & CHILD PROTECTION (CHEP) During the month, UNICEF s monitoring partners reported more then one hundred child rights violations. At least ten of these were cases of child recruitment. The UNICEF/UNHCR database is now generating detailed trends analysis on rights violations, to inform advocacy and response. Five Child Protection Networks (CPN s) are in the process of implementing advocacy and awareness raising activities on child protection in Galgadud, Hiran, Middle Shabelle, Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions. The Galgadud CPNs assisted with the referral of four children to hospitals, injured by a bomb explosion in a Qoranic school in Herale district, Galgadud region, on 16 August 2009. UNICEF partner SOCPD conducted a three-day training on psychosocial support skills and child friendly approaches for 100 teachers and 100 Community Education Committees with the aim to increase the knowledge and skills on psychosocial service for children in emergencies. In addition, partners have also selected 20 children in CSZ to share their stories of coping with adversity, for publication in the planned Heroes booklet. As part of youth participation in emergency preparedness and response, twenty youth members from Jubba Youth Development Organization conducted water quality monitoring activities in Baidoa town, benefiting some 70,000 people. The objective of this project is to improve hygiene and sanitation practices and prevent recurrent AWD/Cholera outbreaks. A number of HIV&AIDS awareness raising training as well as reduction of stigma were conducted reaching about 340 people including students in Mogadishu, Wajid and Baidoa. Through the Global Fund, in-kind support in the form of livestock was provided to 74 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Wajid. In addition, 20 OVCs completed vocational training on masonry, auto mechanic, electricity and carpenter courses to provide them with skills for employment. In NEZ, UNICEF-supported NGO partner Dandor provided refresher training on HIV/AIDS basic toolkit to 46 youth peer educators from 23 IDP camps. 345 people were ultimately reached which include 50 religious leaders from Bari and Karkaar who signed a declaration of anti-stigma and discrimination. GBV (Gender-Based Violenc) caseworkers from the NGO TASS in three main cities Garowe, Bosasso and Galkayo (NEZ) reported 71 cases ranging from domestic violence to rape to abandonment, among others. Survivors were provided with counseling, cash support and were referred to hospitals and legal systems. Psychosocial capacity of 18 community support structures in IDP camps of Garowe, Bosasso and Galkayo were enhanced to respond to the needs of vulnerable community members by identifying a number of social problems that affect them such as drug abuse, poverty, domestic violence, child neglect, etc. This month, 1,766 people were assisted to cope with various psychosocial stressors. Through school-based interventions 80 teachers from 10 schools in Galkayo and Garowe were trained on psychosocial awareness and now able to identify children with psychosocial problems and respond with care and support, ultimately benefiting over 2,000 children. 5/5