Main Developments
According to the now completed FAO/FSAU post-Deyr 2006/07 assessment, many parts of Somalia – mainly in the north and central regions – are experiencing an improvement in livelihoods and food security in spite of recent conflict and flooding. The rains, although exacerbating floods, resulted in exceptionally good crop production in some areas and a continuation of pastoral recovery due to widespread water and pasture availability. According to FAO/FSAU, around 1 million people (including 400,000 IDPs) are now in Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis or Humanitarian Emergency, mostly in Gedo and Middle and Lower Juba. This represents a drop from the August 2006 overall figure of 1.8 million (which also included 400,000 IDPs). Of the 1 million, approximately 230,000 people are in Humanitarian Emergency (down from 425,000 in August 2006) and 360,000 in Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis (down from 880,000 in August). Hiran, Bay and Bakool are – apart from some pockets – now out of Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis, as are the north and central regions of Somalia. However, the riverine areas of the Jubas and Gedo remain in Humanitarian Emergency, while the riverine areas of Hiran have seen a deterioration in livelihood and food security. Despite the overall improvement, the humanitarian situation in Somalia is critical and precarious. The need for immediate assistance remains, as does the need to address the chronic problems that underpin the situation.
Security in Mogadishu has remained unpredictable over the past week. Two police stations (Wardhigley and Hawlwadag) were attacked by unidentified gunmen on 27 January and civilian injuries reported. At least two civilians were killed and five wounded in a gunfight between unknown gunmen and Somali policemen in North Mogadishu. Hospitals in Mogadishu have reported that they are seeing people with gun shot wounds on a daily basis. Medina Hospital, in the South of Mogadishu, is said to have admitted at least 34 gunshot victims within a 48-hour period. Two mortar bombs fired by unknown assailants hit the Medina neighbourhood in northern Mogadishu. Meanwhile, prices of weapons in Mogadishu markets have soared, reportedly due to residents’ perception of rising insecurity.
Displacement
Localized clan conflict has continued to cause displacement in various parts of south/central Somalia. Seventy-six families moved from Biyo Cado (Jowhar district, Middle Shabelle) to Jowhar town due to fighting during the third week of January that resulted in at least 5 dead and 20 wounded. Approximately 400 people have reportedly been displaced by fighting in Jiiro (Afmadow district, Lower Juba) and have fled to Billis Qoqani and Xaayo (Middle Juba).
There are unverified reports of 900 households having moved from coastal areas in Badhadhe (Lower Juba) to the border town of Kulbio. These people reportedly tried to enter Kenya via Kiunga, but were turned back by the Kenyan authorities. Another 500 families from areas surrounding Kulbio are said to have shifted to Kulbio town, possibly waiting for the border to open in order to seek refuge in Kenya. Verification of these reports is difficult due to lack of access to the region.
It has only recently been reported that on 7 January, 1,900 IDPs fled Beletweyne and moved to Buhodle district of Somaliland. This is the first report of large movements of conflict-related IDPs going to Somaliland.
More reports have been received of conflict-displaced IDPs returning to their places of origin. At the end of January, 638 IDPs returned to Sakow, while 300 IDPs returned to their homes at Daynunay (Bay), an area which saw intense fighting during the recent conflict. The IDPs who returned to Daynunay have reported that dead bodies from the recent conflict have not yet been disposed of. The same is being reported from Idale (Bay), the scene of fighting before Christmas, where there is fear of disease due to the presence of these bodies.
Access
Despite ongoing discussions with the Government of Kenya, the situation is unchanged along the Kenya-Somali border with regard to overland cross-border movement of humanitarian staff and goods. Three-thousand mt of food remain stuck at the border, along with other humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, because of the closure, children living in border areas who have for years been attending school in Kenya have been unable to continue their schooling. The border closure could also begin to seriously impact livelihoods in south/central Somalia, as commercial and livestock trade will be affected.
Beletweyne airstrip is now open for passengers and cargo. Luuq airstrip in Gedo is now accessible with special permission only, as is Dolo on the Somali/Ethiopian border.
The TFG has reportedly removed most of the checkpoints on the Mogadishu – Merka – Brava road. In Mogadishu, the road from Martini hospital past the port towards the police academy is now closed at night.
