Key Overall Developments
Mogadishu
On 12 April, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)/ African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces
clashed with insurgents in different areas in Mogadishu. More than 20 civilians were killed and another 76
were injured following heavy shelling. The clashes started when five mortar rounds were fired by the
insurgents in the direction of the airport and Villa Somalia (the presidential palace). The TFG/AMISOM
forces at Villa Somalia returned fire against insurgent positions in Hawlwadag and Yaqshid districts hitting
civilian residential areas.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, expressed dismay over the shelling. In a
press statement issued on 13 April, he stated "I am deeply disturbed by the plight facing civilians in
Mogadishu, who are caught amidst the warring parties. This latest incident follows on the heels of one of
the most injurious months for Mogadishu residents," said Mr. Bowden. In March, more than 900 civilians
were wounded as a direct result of the conflict in Mogadishu. More than 100 of the injuries were children
under the age of five. The HC reiterated the call for all parties to the conflict to comply with the
requirements clearly laid down in International Humanitarian Law to protect civilian populations against the
indiscriminate use of arms, particularly in densely populated areas.
As of 16 April, UNHCR estimated that 99,200 people had been displaced from Mogadishu, since 1
February, with a total of 59,200 people having left the city. Another 30,600 people have been displaced
within Mogadishu. The displacement figures of 7,600 people during the first two weeks of April indicate that
movements out of the city are slowing down.
Two INGO staff killed by a Mine in Somaliland
On 12 April, two national staff died and two other were injured when an Anti-Tank Mine detonated hitting a
vehicle belonging to HALO TRUST International (an INGO mine-clearing organization) in a mine field
approximately 160 kms southeast of Hargeysa in Togdheer region.
Good rains in many parts of Somalia
According Somalia Rain Watch report issued 15 April by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network,
early Gu 2010 rains have been received in parts of southern Somalia and pockets of the Northwest. From
1-10 April, Lower Juba, parts of Gedo and Bakool, Awdal, and Sanaag regions received initial light to
moderate rains (10-25mm) in several areas. In February and March good rains were also received in most
parts of Somalia. As a result of the good rains, water catchments and underground water storage facilities
have been replenished in many parts leading to a reduction in water prices (up to 80% in Sool region).
However, water scarcity persists in Galgaduud, Mudug and Sanaag regions.
During the last week, heavy rains were received in Hiraan, Lower Shabelle and Lower/Middle Juba
regions. Reports from the Juba and Shabelle river catchments in Ethiopia indicate heavy rains there as
well. This has consequently resulted into increased river levels along the two rivers in Somalia. However,
the levels are still below the flood risk. Field reports indicate flash floods in some parts of Gedo region.
Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases
In week 14 (5-11 April), Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu reported 100 cases of cholera, a slight increase
when compared with week 13 (96 cases). Of the 100 cases, 83 were children under five years, with one
related death. Since 4 January, 1,335 cases have been reported from the hospital. For the same period,
137 AWD cases were reported from seven districts in Lower and Middle Juba regions. Of the 137 cases,
78 percent (107) were children under five years, with no related deaths. WHO is calling on health partners
to respond to the current situation, in light of seasonal outbreaks in the past years.
Correction: In last week Humanitarian Bulletin dated 9 April, the timeframe for reported AWD cases was
incorrect. There were 526 AWD cases cumulatively for the first 12 weeks of the year and 660 cases by 13
weeks. It was not 660 cases during the week, up from 526 cases the previous week as was reported.
Response
Food aid
Since WFP suspended its operations in most parts of Southern Somalia in early January, the agency has
been trying to deliver food aid to Afgooye IDP Corridor. Last week, WFP succeeded in its third attempt and
four WFP trucks were allowed access to the area. A total of 55 metric tones of food commodities reached
Afgooye for the nutrition programme.This is the second successful delivery since January 2010.
WFP has agreed to provide UNICEF with 1,000 metric tones of corn soya blend (CSB) to support to
UNICEF's nutrition programmes in the south over a period of six months. The humanitarian community has
been concerned about the nutrition status of the most vulnerable population in Southern Somalia after
WFP pulled out.
WFP and partners distributed 133 metric tones of assorted food commodities to 18,846 beneficiaries (50%
women) under General Food Distribution in Caldera District, Galgaduud region.
WFP fielded a mission to South Mudug region for a site assessment to establish a new strategic food
delivery point. This point will provide storage facilities for food supplies intended for the central regions.
The agency intends to eventually create a beach port as an alternative entry point for food and other
humanitarian assistance into central Somalia. This is urgently needed since Central Somalia is the
epicentre of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia following six consecutive seasons of failed rains. Around 70
percent of populations in the two central regions of Galgaduud and Mudug are in need of humanitarian
assistance or livelihood support.
Health
WHO and Muslim Aid provided treatment to 12 suspected measles cases. This follows a joint investigation
after cases were reported in Kismayo district in Lower Juba region. Nearly al the cases were children
under five years. WHO is urging partners in the region, especially in the district of Kismayo and Jamaame,
to accelerate routine vaccination activities.
During the reporting period, monitoring activities continued along the Juba River after the water levels were
reported to have risen considerably. WHO and health partners are undertaking preparedness plans to
include preventive measures from vector and waterborne diseases.
Mogadishu
On 12 April, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)/ African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces
clashed with insurgents in different areas in Mogadishu. More than 20 civilians were killed and another 76
were injured following heavy shelling. The clashes started when five mortar rounds were fired by the
insurgents in the direction of the airport and Villa Somalia (the presidential palace). The TFG/AMISOM
forces at Villa Somalia returned fire against insurgent positions in Hawlwadag and Yaqshid districts hitting
civilian residential areas.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, expressed dismay over the shelling. In a
press statement issued on 13 April, he stated "I am deeply disturbed by the plight facing civilians in
Mogadishu, who are caught amidst the warring parties. This latest incident follows on the heels of one of
the most injurious months for Mogadishu residents," said Mr. Bowden. In March, more than 900 civilians
were wounded as a direct result of the conflict in Mogadishu. More than 100 of the injuries were children
under the age of five. The HC reiterated the call for all parties to the conflict to comply with the
requirements clearly laid down in International Humanitarian Law to protect civilian populations against the
indiscriminate use of arms, particularly in densely populated areas.
As of 16 April, UNHCR estimated that 99,200 people had been displaced from Mogadishu, since 1
February, with a total of 59,200 people having left the city. Another 30,600 people have been displaced
within Mogadishu. The displacement figures of 7,600 people during the first two weeks of April indicate that
movements out of the city are slowing down.
Two INGO staff killed by a Mine in Somaliland
On 12 April, two national staff died and two other were injured when an Anti-Tank Mine detonated hitting a
vehicle belonging to HALO TRUST International (an INGO mine-clearing organization) in a mine field
approximately 160 kms southeast of Hargeysa in Togdheer region.
Good rains in many parts of Somalia
According Somalia Rain Watch report issued 15 April by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network,
early Gu 2010 rains have been received in parts of southern Somalia and pockets of the Northwest. From
1-10 April, Lower Juba, parts of Gedo and Bakool, Awdal, and Sanaag regions received initial light to
moderate rains (10-25mm) in several areas. In February and March good rains were also received in most
parts of Somalia. As a result of the good rains, water catchments and underground water storage facilities
have been replenished in many parts leading to a reduction in water prices (up to 80% in Sool region).
However, water scarcity persists in Galgaduud, Mudug and Sanaag regions.
During the last week, heavy rains were received in Hiraan, Lower Shabelle and Lower/Middle Juba
regions. Reports from the Juba and Shabelle river catchments in Ethiopia indicate heavy rains there as
well. This has consequently resulted into increased river levels along the two rivers in Somalia. However,
the levels are still below the flood risk. Field reports indicate flash floods in some parts of Gedo region.
Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases
In week 14 (5-11 April), Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu reported 100 cases of cholera, a slight increase
when compared with week 13 (96 cases). Of the 100 cases, 83 were children under five years, with one
related death. Since 4 January, 1,335 cases have been reported from the hospital. For the same period,
137 AWD cases were reported from seven districts in Lower and Middle Juba regions. Of the 137 cases,
78 percent (107) were children under five years, with no related deaths. WHO is calling on health partners
to respond to the current situation, in light of seasonal outbreaks in the past years.
Correction: In last week Humanitarian Bulletin dated 9 April, the timeframe for reported AWD cases was
incorrect. There were 526 AWD cases cumulatively for the first 12 weeks of the year and 660 cases by 13
weeks. It was not 660 cases during the week, up from 526 cases the previous week as was reported.
Response
Food aid
Since WFP suspended its operations in most parts of Southern Somalia in early January, the agency has
been trying to deliver food aid to Afgooye IDP Corridor. Last week, WFP succeeded in its third attempt and
four WFP trucks were allowed access to the area. A total of 55 metric tones of food commodities reached
Afgooye for the nutrition programme.This is the second successful delivery since January 2010.
WFP has agreed to provide UNICEF with 1,000 metric tones of corn soya blend (CSB) to support to
UNICEF's nutrition programmes in the south over a period of six months. The humanitarian community has
been concerned about the nutrition status of the most vulnerable population in Southern Somalia after
WFP pulled out.
WFP and partners distributed 133 metric tones of assorted food commodities to 18,846 beneficiaries (50%
women) under General Food Distribution in Caldera District, Galgaduud region.
WFP fielded a mission to South Mudug region for a site assessment to establish a new strategic food
delivery point. This point will provide storage facilities for food supplies intended for the central regions.
The agency intends to eventually create a beach port as an alternative entry point for food and other
humanitarian assistance into central Somalia. This is urgently needed since Central Somalia is the
epicentre of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia following six consecutive seasons of failed rains. Around 70
percent of populations in the two central regions of Galgaduud and Mudug are in need of humanitarian
assistance or livelihood support.
Health
WHO and Muslim Aid provided treatment to 12 suspected measles cases. This follows a joint investigation
after cases were reported in Kismayo district in Lower Juba region. Nearly al the cases were children
under five years. WHO is urging partners in the region, especially in the district of Kismayo and Jamaame,
to accelerate routine vaccination activities.
During the reporting period, monitoring activities continued along the Juba River after the water levels were
reported to have risen considerably. WHO and health partners are undertaking preparedness plans to
include preventive measures from vector and waterborne diseases.
No comments:
Post a Comment