Issue # 7 12-19 February 2010
Key Overall Developments
Concern over civilian casualties in Mogadishu
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, expressed grave concern about the latest civilian
casualties and displacement in Mogadishu as a result of recent fighting. In a press statement issued on 15
February, Mr. Bowden said, "I am alarmed by the large number of casualties emanating from recent fighting in
Mogadishu over the last two weeks. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflict and insecurity in the country."
Mr. Bowden believes that the high number of civilian casualties and continuing displacement in Mogadishu
suggests the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against civilians by all parties to the conflict. Mr.
Bowden appealed to all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and to minimize the risks to civilians by
respecting and implementing their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.
During the reporting period, UNHCR continued to record high numbers of Somalis being displaced from
Mogadishu. Approximately 19,400 people have been displaced since 1 February.
Press Briefing
On 17 February, the UN humanitarian agencies held an informal press session with key international media
houses based in Nairobi. Media interest was primarily focused on two key issues: funding constraint and
indiscriminate shelling of civilians. The Humanitarian Coordinator took the opportunity to stress the urgent need
to secure donor funding to assist 3.2 million Somalis.
Assets seized from aid organisations in Baidoa and Waajid
During the reporting period, the Al Shabaab administration seized and looted assets from humanitarian
organisations in Baidoa and Waajid. On 9 February, they stormed a national NGO office in Baidoa and looted
assets. On 10 February, Al Shabaab in Waajid, Bakool region, seized a UN vehicle at the Waajid airstrip. They
also entered the UN compound in Waajid and confiscated a list of assets. On 18 February, Al Shabaab
reportedly took furniture from the UN compound in Baidoa, Bay region.
Clashes in Dhobley, Lower Juba
Field reports indicate that Al Shabaab and Hisbul Islam clashed in Dhobley, a border town between Somalia
and Kenya, on 18 January. There were few casualties of fighters reported and none from the civilian population.
Unconfirmed numbers of civilians were displaced from the town.
Adjustments to Food Aid Allocations
WFP has revised its beneficiary numbers from 2.8 million to 2.5 million, while food allocations for the next six
months have been reduced from 30,000 metric tons to 29,000 metric tons. This follows findings from the
recently completed interagency assessment, which indicated an improving overall food security situation in
Somalia.
Meanwhile, food delivery to the Afgooye Corridor remains challenging. Except for the successful test deliveries
that were carried out three weeks ago, no further deliveries have reached the final distribution points in Afgooye
due to threats from Al Shabaab to WFP contracted transporters.
Response
Health
Following rumours of an outbreak of Diphtheria in Ceel Waaq district, Gedo region, WHO conducted a joint
investigation with a local NGO. It was established that 10 people had died from the disease, while 36 other
people had been affected, presenting symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection and skin lacerations. The
number of affected people has since decreased following treatment. Despite difficult access to the affected
During the reporting period, health partners conducted targeted measles vaccination in Rab Dhuure district,
Bakool region, for children between nine months and 5 years of age. The children were also vaccinated against
other antigens. As of 15 February, 500 children had been vaccinated. The vaccination programme is ongoing.
Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs)
UNHCR, this week commenced an NFI distribution to 18,000 displaced people in villages surrounding
Dhuusamarreeb town, Galgaduud region. In total, 29,100 people were displaced following clashes at the end of
January. The NFI kit comprises of blankets, a plastic sheet, a sleeping mat and a kitchen set. The distribution is
ongoing.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
A local NGO in Bardera town, Gedo region, distributed chlorine sachets and water treatment tablets to 6,000
households during the reporting period. The training of 300 community hygiene promoters was also conducted.
The NGO also rehabilitated some water retention equipment which will benefit 5,000 households, including
2,000 IDPs in Bardera town.
During the reporting week, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Puntland, completed the
implementation of a five-day Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) reaching 3,200 children under oneyear
in Bossaso town.
The Danish Refugee Council completed several activities in Bossaso during the reporting period. Some 500
IDPs recently displaced from Gaalkacyo, Mudug region, benefited from 40 trucks of water. A hundred and forty
two shelters in Shambelle IDP camp were upgraded. The construction of 50 latrines in eight IDP camps was
completed benefiting 600 IDPs.
Nutrition
UNICEF provided plumpy nuts to 306 severely malnourished children in 10 sites (eight in IDP settlements and
two in the vulnerable host communities) under the Outreach Therapeutic Feeding programme in Bossaso,
Puntland.
Food Aid
WFP distributed 405 metric tons of assorted food commodities to 131,625 beneficiaries through general food
distribution, institutional feeding and supplementary feeding programmes. The beneficiaries included IDPs,
Tuberculosis and HIV patients, malnourished children, pregnant and lactating women in South Central regions
and Somaliland.
Contact
English, contact Muna Mohamed on + 254 733 643 737 –
mohamed26@un.org
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