Somalia Protection Cluster Protection Cluster Report Reporting Period 01 30 June UNHCR
General Overview During the month of June, the security situation remained unchanged from the previous month due to continued fighting between TFG/AMISOM and Al Shabaab forces. Al Shabaab continued losing control over a number of areas previously held with the exception of El Buur, Galgaduud region, where they retook control of the town after Ethiopian and Ahlu Sunnah Waljama a (ASWJ) troops left. The asymmetrical nature of the conflict throughout many parts of Somalia continues to have a negative impact on the civilian population. The Protection Movement Tracking (PMT) network recorded roughly 15,000 movements during the reporting period, of which insecurity contributed to around 10,000 movements. During the first two weeks of June, around 1,800 movements were recorded from Afgooye to Mogadishu following the takeover of Afgooye Corridor by the TFG/AMISOM forces in late May. Most of the IDPs moved to the Mogadishu districts of Hodan and Wadajir. Al-Shabaab relocation to the rural areas after the takeover of the Afgooye Corridor by the TFG prompted many people to relocate to urban areas fearing an outbreak of fighting between Al-Shabaab and the TFG / AMISOM forces in the country-side. 350 IDPs returned to Afmadow from Dhobley after the TFG took over the town in late May. Over all, during the reporting period roughly 2,000 IDP returned to areas under the control of the TFG and its allies. Reports indicate that a perceived return of peace in their respective areas following the takeover by the TFG is the reason why IDPs are returning. 1 Violence and violations not directly related to combat continued to take its toll on the civilian population throughout the country. On 27 June, after ransacking a number of houses in Balcad town, Lower Shabelle region, TFG forces arrested over 20 people suspected of being Al-Shabaab members. 2 On 11 June, Al-Shabaab beheaded ten men and women in Galgaduud region for allegedly supplying goods and services to Ethiopian and ASWJ forces 3 and on the same day executed two additional people for spying for ASWJ. 4 On 09 June, Al-Shabaab executed a man accused of spying in Ceel Buur, Galgaduud region. 5 The Protection Monitoring Network (PMN) recorded 215 incidences involving 336 victims. The most frequently violations reported in June by region were: Somaliland (159 victims) followed by closely by South Central (153 victims) and Puntland (24 victims). It is important to note that there can be more than one violation per incident. Top violations include physical assault/attack not resulting in death (119 victims), illegal arrest and detention (49 victims) and killing/manslaughter (47 victims). On June 8, a journalist working for Radio Bar-Kulan was seriously injured after an attack by two unidentified masked gunmen in Hamar-jajab district, Mogadishu. 6 On June 4, at least four people including women and children were killed and several others injured in Mudug region after gunmen shot at a civilian vehicle. 7 1 See: http://data.unhcr.org/horn-of-africa/somalia.php for additional information on population movement in Somalia. 2 Shabeelle Media Network website, June 27, 2012. 3 http://www.risaala.net/view.php?id=5450. 4 Shabeelle Media Network website, June 11, 2012. 5 Jowhar News portal, June 10, 2012. 6 Shabeelle Media Network website, June 9, 2012. 7 http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3420. Page 2 of 6
Snapshot of Protection Concerns A function of the Protection Cluster is to raise awareness of protection issues that either remain of concern or recently have come to light. The snapshot for June represents concerns that may not necessarily have occurred in June, but have been brought to the Cluster s attention, and therefore, efforts should be made to try and address those concerns. Finding and implementing protection solutions in Somalia is complex and not easily done. A first step in finding a solution is to make Members and the wider humanitarian community aware that a problem exists so that engagement can begin. South Central Zone The Cluster continues to receive unconfirmed reports that arbitrary arrests and detention of youth suspected by TFG forces / officials of being Al-Shabaab are taking place. Given the geographic locations and the nature of the allegations, it has been exceedingly difficult to obtain confirmation as to how widespread these sweeps and arrests are. That such incidents are occurring is, in part, corroborated by people on the move, who cite continued search operations by TFG forces and their allies as one of the reasons for not wanting to return to their place of origin just yet. 8 In June, the Cluster received reports that schools in a number of regions are being fully, or partially, used by various militia groups aligned to the TFG, by TFG troops themselves, or in one case by the Ethiopian Defence Forces. 9 Currently, a few schools in Gedo and Hiraan regions are occupied by military and/or militia forces. Though apparently not a new phenomenon, the Cluster is particularly concerned that this issue seems not yet to have been resolved. Such spaces should never be used by a military; however, engaging with the actors responsible for such occupations has not been successful even though efforts have been made. In June, the Mayor of Mogadishu renewed his intention to close Majo and Al Adala IDP settlements where roughly 20,000 IDPs live. The reason given for the need to close these two settlements is that they pose a security risk, as both sites effectively buttress the international airport and AMISOM s perimeter. The IDPs are to be relocated to a site called Al Jazeera in W district, which unlike the current location is quite a number of kilometers from the city center. IDPs as well as the humanitarian community are concerned that the new site is remote, lack basic services, and as a result may pose protection problems for the IDPs. Somaliland Somaliland continues to be a major transit point for smugglers and/or traffickers. In previous months, the issue of child smuggling/trafficking has already been reported. There remains no clarity whether there is an increase in the number of cases or the authorities are more vigilant. In June, Somaliland immigration police again intercepted children that were about to be smuggled or trafficked abroad. 12 girls aged between 10 and 15 years who are from Bay region were placed under the protection of Somaliland authorities and the smugglers/traffickers arrested. Cluster members in Hargeisa provided for their basic needs, while at the same time trying to trace family members. Somaliland authorities want to remove the children to Mogadishu post-haste; however, the Child Protection Working Group and Mixed Migration Task Force Members, in particular, are undertaking best efforts to encourage the Somaliland authorities to halt their removal pending locating family 8 http://data.unhcr.org/horn-of-africa/somalia.php. 9 June 2012 Access Report, OCHA Somalia, page. Page 3 of 6
members and ensuring that the children are returning to a safe environment. The nine children reported in last month s Report were handed over to Ethiopian authorities by the Somaliland government. Puntland GBV cases dominate a key protection concern being reported, especially from Galkayo. Cluster Members in Galkayo are aware of at least ten rape cases and one case of domestic violence, as these survivors were identified by humanitarian actors and were able to receive treatment. Five of the cases were minors and three cases were as a result of being abducted and gang raped. Members noted that most of the GBV cases reported occurred in Mustaqbal, Bulo Ba ley, Qorahey and Bulo Kontrol settlements in Galkayo, which host mostly minority clans, though the host community is not immune. One such example was a woman who was in the process of being kidnapped by pirates in broad day light in front of her house. Only through the immediate intervention of her neighbours was the abduction foiled. Out of the 11 cases, eight were reported to the police and three suspects currently are under investigation. Cluster Members state that increased reporting is partially due to an increase in awareness, but also that there is a marked increase in actual GBV cases, particularly rape. Galkayo is home to a number of pirate groups but as their activities on the high seas are being severely curbed, many remain in Galkayo and are idle, which coupled with a high level of impunity, means that women and girls become targets. On the other hand, a ransom payment for a ship has taken place, violence against women is more pronounced as money is readily available as are drugs and alcohol. In outlying areas of Galkayo women tend to flee when they see a Toyota Landcruiser approaching, a pirate s choice of vehicle. Protection Cluster Response Highlights 10 Service Provision (CAP Indicator 1) 15,167 children attended child friendly spaces in Bari, Banadir, Gedo, Hiraan and Nugaal regions during the reporting period. Child friendly spaces (CFS) provided recreation activities, psychosocial support, basic literacy, and Quranic schooling. Currently, Child Protection WG Members maintain over 100 CFS throughout South and Central Somalia. Due to insufficient funds, most schools supported by UNICEF in South Central Somalia will no longer receive funding for the balance of 2012, which will have a direct impact on child protection concerns. The Education Cluster estimates that as many as 300,000 children may drop out of school, exposing many children to possible recruitment, exploitation, and child labour. 1287 survivors of GBV (including two FGM) and physical abuse received medical, legal aid, psychosocial assistance, and nutritional referrals. Among the survivors, were three who were gang-raped and taken to isolated locations for their safety, and two were provided with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Unfortunately for one survivor, a young girl, after being raped her mother took her to a traditional birth attendant for re-infibulation in an attempt to regain her virginity. 10 NB: Much of the data presented under this section can be disaggregated by sex. Should this information be required, please contact the Protection Cluster Page 4 of 6
25 children with physical disabilities in Woqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer regions benefited from physiotherapy and received assorted equipment for their disabilities. 135 male children associated with armed forces and armed groups in Mogadishu and Galgaduud regions were reached through a program on release and reintegration. Capacity Building (CAP Indicator 2) 246,779 individuals benefited from various capacity building activities. 25 people from different sectors and regions attended a GBV mainstreaming training held between 17 and 18 June in Mogadishu. Also in Mogadishu, on 24 June, seven partners participated in a GBVIMS refresher training and received personal mentoring. In Bossasso, between 11 and 13 Jun, 24 individuals participated in a training session on clinical management of rape. Between 19 and 27 June, 13 staff from PMN/PMT partners participated in a training; while 7 other PMN/PMT partners in Puntland were mentored in order to improve their reporting skills. 87 participants from Hargeisa, Garowe and Bosaso participated in a training on Child Protection in emergencies. The Child Protection Working Group members in Galkayo participated in one training on coordination on 13 June. 121 people from 18 Child Protection Committees in Puntand and South Muduug benefited from a training on referrals facilitated by Child Protection advocates. 243 people from the Community Education Committees (CEC) and child right clubs in Somaliland participated in a training for service providers. Advocacy / Awareness Raising (CAP Indicator 3) On 16 June, Cluster Members in Bossasso and Galkayo commemorated the Day of the African Child. Following this year s theme, the event focused on the rights of children with disabilities. The Child Protection Committees raised awareness with over 18,000 people in Puntland and South Mudug on child protection issues. Another community mobilization activity was conducted for 819 people from IDP and host communities and duty bearers in Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool, Sanag and Awdal regions. 13 GBV awareness raising workshops were conducted for 640 people in Hargeisa and Burao. One FGM awareness raising session targeting sheiks, traditional healers, traditional birth attendants, FGM practitioners, and MCH staff was held in Puntland and South Mudug for 583 people. 54 community promoters in Mogadishu were trained on GBV and the making of fuel efficient stoves, following which they organized events for 40 people on the risk reductions arising from the use of fuel efficient stoves. One awareness-raising activity on GBV and HIV/AIDS was carried out for about 1,300 people from the IDP communities living in Yaqshid and Waberi districts, Mogadishu. One awareness-raising session on mine risk education was conducted in Hiraan region for 721 people. Family Tracing and Reunification Intersos Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) team registered 216 males and 293 females who are looking for their missing family members during the reporting period. The program is being expanded to Dollow, Dhobley, Baidoa, Bossasso, and Galkayo. Page 5 of 6
Assessments & Coordination Assessments At the end of May, Cluster Members in Hargeisa conducted a rapid assessment targeting conflict and drought affected IDP households in the Galbeed and Togdheer regions. The assessment found 10,080 people (6,048 drought and 4,032 conflict affected) in the assessed villages. Although there were no security issues in the assessed area, the conflict IDPs noted that they cannot return to their original homes due to unresolved conflicts. The drought-affected IDPs had lost their livestock and depend on the host community and very limited self-employment opportunities. In early June, a NGO conducted a needs assessment in Zona K, Hodan District, Mogadishu to assess the IDP influx from Afgooye after TFG/AMISOM forces launched their offensive in May. Their assessment found 5296 new arrivals from Afgooye Corridor. In early June, due to the growing number of the new IDP sites and population movement, a preliminary verification exercise was undertaken by humanitarian agencies and local authority representatives in both North and South Galkayo to ascertain whether they really are new IDP settlements, or settlements split from existing ones. Coordination The Protection Cluster in Nairobi and the field Protection Clusters, in addition to the Working Groups, held coordination meetings throughout the month of June. Minutes of those meetings are posted on the Protection Cluster s website. 11 11 http://www.unocha.org/somalia/coordination/clusters/protection Page 6 of 6