Halima*, "You find out very quickly who your friends are"

NAIROBI, 10 June 2010 (PLUSNEWS) - In Somalia's conservative Muslim society it is extremely rare for someone living with HIV to speak out about their status, and even more so for a woman. But Halima*, a Somali refugee in Kenya and a mother of four in her fifties, told IRIN her story, which is also part of a recent IRIN Radio Somali programme [http://www.irinnews.org/audiofiles/IRIN_Radio__Somali_Programme_Tuesday_8_June_2010_08062010.mp3].

"I found that I was HIV-positive in 2009. I was being treated for TB [tuberculosis] when I was advised that I should go to the VCT [voluntary counselling and testing] centre and get tested. The results came back and I was informed I was HIV-positive.

"At first I was devastated - all I knew about the disease was that it had no cure, and that anyone who contracts it dies. I suspect that my former husband passed it on to me. He is now in Somalia, and, I am told, sick.

"At First I did not tell anyone out of fear that my children and I will be ostracized. Thankfully, all my children have tested negative.

"When something like this happens you find out very quickly who your friends are. Everybody is afraid of you. I had to move house at least four times because I could not deal with the discrimination by others.

"People here think that if they talk to you they will catch the disease; there is so much ignorance.

"The worst part is that even those being treated for the disease will not acknowledge that they are being treated. I run into them at the VCT and everyone pretends they are there for something else. Instead of supporting each other, we run away from each other. It is sad.

"If you ask me, the biggest problem we face is ignorance and stigma. I am worried about discrimination, but I want to speak up.

"I would like to see awareness campaigns targeting young people and women. I want them to know how to protect themselves - we don't have to bury our heads in the sand like an ostrich.

"I am now on medication and doing fine, but need more help. Here [Dadaab refugee camp in northeastern Kenya] we only get the medication, nothing else. We need help in getting proper food.

"At first I honestly did not think I would live, but now I am here and I want to do what I can to help my children, and others like them, to stay safe. Maybe if people hear about my story, then others will benefit. That is why I am speaking out."

ah/he

ICRC assists record numbers of IDPs in 2009

Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Date: 09 Jun 2010

Geneva (ICRC) In 2009, some 4.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs) – 20% more than in 2008 – benefited from humanitarian assistance provided by the ICRC, in association with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in 33 countries all over the world. The ICRC devoted approximately 15% of its operational budget, or 150 million Swiss francs, to its efforts to alleviate the suffering and address the needs of people driven from their homes as a result of armed conflict and other violence.

"The hardship faced by millions of displaced men, women and children around the world, and by the relatives or communities that often take them in, is extreme and can continue for decades," said Anne Zeidan, head of the ICRC's IDP project. "In armed conflict, displacement is often caused by violations of international humanitarian law, so greater compliance by national authorities or armed groups controlling a territory would prevent this tragedy."

The ICRC increased its assistance to displaced people in response to greater needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia and Yemen and thanks to better access in Iraq. People driven from their homes have special needs at every stage of their displacement: as they flee, when they return and once they start to resettle. Communities hosting them also often have wide-ranging needs.

In total, the ICRC assisted 14.25 million civilians in 2009, 30% of whom were people displaced within their own countries. Its largest operations in terms of the budget devoted to the displaced were conducted in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

"When we left our homes, it was a tough time. We heard bazookas and I could only bring one child with me," said Tayan Mawgan, a displaced mother of four who lives in an evacuation centre in the Philippines. "The other villagers were running in all directions. Then we arrived at the town of Mamasapano. We stayed there but we had not been able to bring any belongings with us. We cannot return to our house because it has burned down."

The continent with the largest number of displaced people receiving ICRC aid, 1,942,000, was Asia, followed by Africa where 1,928,000 benefited from ICRC assistance. Around 584,000 displaced people received assistance in the Middle East and 115,000 in Europe and the Americas.

In 2009 it provided emergency assistance for sudden crises and upsurges in fighting such as those that occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. For people who have been displaced for extended periods as a result of long-standing conflicts or other violence, such as in Chad, Colombia, Iraq and Sudan, the ICRC stepped in to help them restore their livelihoods.

The ICRC provides displaced people with health care support, emergency household items, food, agricultural support, water and habitation services and other aid in response to specific needs. In 2009 it distributed food to 1 million displaced people in Asia and 600,000 in Africa. In addition, the agricultural aid it provided enabled approximately 405,000 displaced people in Africa to restore their livelihoods or otherwise regain self-sufficiency. Globally, close to 770,000 displaced people benefited from the ICRC's water and habitation services.

The ICRC worked with the authorities in many countries to help them better fulfil their obligation to protect civilians, including internally displaced people. In addition, the ICRC helped those displaced to restore and maintain contact with their families.

For more information concerning internally displaced people please go to

http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/refugees_displaced_persons?OpenDocument

For information concerning ICRC activities in 2009 please to to:

http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/section_annual_report_2009?OpenDocument

For further information, please contact:

Michelle Rockwell, ICRC Geneva, tel. +41 22 730 2412 or + 41 79 251 93 11

Florian Westphal, CICR Genève, tél. : +41 22 730 22 82 or + 41 79 217 32 80

Notes

1. The 4.6 million internally displaced people who received aid from the ICRC in 2009 do not include those who benefited from ICRC activities designed to restore family links.

2. In 2009, the ICRC provided assistance for internally displaced people in the following countries. In Africa: Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe. In Asia: Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka. In Europe and the Americas: Azerbaijan, Colombia, Georgia, Panama, Peru, Russian Federation (Chechnya), Serbia/Montenegro-Kosovo. In the Middle East: Iraq, Yemen.

If you would rather not receive future communications from International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), let us know by clicking here.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 19 avenue de la Paix Geneva CH 1202 Switzerland

Somalis suffering behind Islamist food blockade-UN

ource: Reuters - AlertNet

Date: 04 Jun 2010

Death rates to rise without return to U.N. distribution * Up to one million affected by rebels' rejection of aid

By Jeremy Clarke

NAIROBI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Somalis denied international aid in al Shabaab-controlled parts of the country face rising death rates from severe malnutrition and disease, the U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.

In January, WFP suspended food aid to much of southern Somalia, citing the threat to its staff there and the conditions imposed by al Shabaab, such as limiting the role of women in the distribution of aid.

The al Qaeda-linked group, which enforces its own strict interpretation of sharia law, has since called on WFP to leave Somalia entirely and accused the agency of handing out expired food and being politically linked to Ethiopia.

The U.N. estimates that nearly half of the Somali population needs humanitarian aid and the country has the world's highest malnutrition levels. Up to one million people were affected when WFP suspended aid in large parts of southern Somalia.

"Al Shabaab have been very categorical about WFP not coming in and even more categorical about food assistance not coming in," Amir Abdulla, WFP's Chief Operating Officer, told Reuters.

"In the Afgooye corridor about 400,000 people are trapped and the capacity for food production there is negligible. Whatever they owned, a goat or a chicken, they will have sold now. At best they are getting one meal per day," Abdulla said.

WFP has led the international response to Somalia's acute humanitarian crisis, currently reaching almost two million in the failed state, where at least 21,000 have died in fighting in the last three years and 1.5 million driven from their homes.

But those stuck in the Afgooye corridor just outside the capital face a grim future if aid is withheld from them much longer, said Peter Smerdon, a spokesman for WFP in Nairobi. "Most are women and children who fled Mogadishu with just the clothes on their back. The last aid we got to them was in November last year. Malnutrition will increase, they are now more prone to disease -- death rates will rise," he said.

Al Shabaab -- which means "the youth" in arabic -- have banned movies, musical ringtones, dancing at wedding ceremonies and watching soccer, and are accused of publically whipping women for wearing bras, which they say constitute a deception. (Editing by Richard Lough and Giles Elgood)

For more humanitarian news and analysis, please visit www.alertnet.org

UN-HABITAT assures Somalia of continued support

Source: United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT)

Date: 02 Jun 2010

Nairobi,Kenya, 2 Jun 10

The Executive Director recalled that the organization has been active in the Somali urban sector for more than 25 years and added that its activities in Somalia have been quite extensive. She noted that the UN-HABITAT's activities expanded rapidly during the past ten years under her leadership.

Mrs. Tibaijuka also informed the envoy that UN-HABITAT is currently active in Somalia in reconstruction; governance and service delivery; and in shelter delivery for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

With particular reference to IDPs, the Executive Director said that the organization is involved in the improvement of living conditions of IDPs in Jowhar and Baidoa in South-Central; improved shelter and basic services for IDPs also in Jowhar and Baidoa; and in protection, reintegration and resettlement of IDPs in Bossaso (Puntland) Other areas are peace building, integration of IDPs and returnees, shelter construction and employment generation in Hargeisa and Garowe in Somaliland and Puntland.

Mrs. Tibaijuka stated that the organization was also involved in community-based district rehabilitation in all districts of Mogadishu (South-Central) and in municipal finance activities in Putland.

She noted that there are about 35 Somalis working in UN-HABITAT and expressed the hope that the country continues to stabilize, so that the people of Somalia can enjoy peace and happiness.

The Executive Director wished the Mr. Nur successful tenure and presented him with some flagship publications of UN-Habitat, including her personal book: "Building Prosperity." She said that she wrote the book as a capacity building tool when she discovered that many educational institutions neglect the teaching of housing finance.

Responding, Mr. Nur expressed appreciation to the Executive Director for the briefing and also for the good work that UN-HABITAT was doing in his country. He assured the Executive Director that he would help foster the organization's work in Somalia.

Appeal from Bacaadweyne community to relief agencies

Written By Elias

Elders and respected individuals from Bacadwayne village called for humanitarian agencies to intervene the long awaited permanent solution in water sources. Speaking to local media, Mr. Mohamud Cali, humanitarian affairs commissioner of Bacadwayne community raised their concerns over water issue in the area. Mr. Mohamud pinpointed that they heard rumors that they are no longer in need for sustainable and permanent water source. He emphasized that current shallow wells can't cover even villagers needs in the village rather than pastoralists along with their animals. Mr. Mohamud also said "the community of Bacaadwayne is in water insecurity situation as long as we are suffering from sand dunes that fill up our shallow wells and even some times cause sudden collapse at the bottom". Mr. Mohamud the humanitarian commissioner of Bacadwayne village urged relief organizations such as GSA to extend their reach to the area and help the destitute community get fresh and permanent borehole.  As For the security situation of the area, He affirmed that there are no insecurity problems and even fear to happen clan based conflict s and assured safety for any organization willing to aid and relief forgotten Qubeys community in South Mudug.

Bacadewyne is a populated village located about 200km south Galkacyo and is resided solely by Qubays sub clan of Great Dir Clan. It's apparent that the area had experienced at the beginning of this year deadly fighting between Salabeen and Qubays clans over mainly pasture and water at the climax of the droughts period.  Since March 2010, the hostilities and aggressions started getting down as a result of extensive efforts from religious groups, respected elders and chieftains that ended up the warfare to certain degree.

We can't turn our backs on the nine million people living in fear in 'failed' Somalia

Source: EastAfrican (EastAfrican)

Date: 31 May 2010

By Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra

Reading the daily news coming out of Somalia, one may be tempted to join those calling for disengagement from what many see as the "failed state" of Somalia.

After all, why support a country that for two decades now has failed to put its house in order? The answer to this somewhat baffling question lies in refocusing our attention on the people of Somalia.

While the debate continues as to whether or not Somalia is a failed state, the fact remains that nine million Somalis are living in that state.

This single fact must be the guiding force behind the world's policies on Somalia. It is certainly the single most important element informing the African Union's involvement in Somalia through its peacekeeping mission, Amisom.

We view all support to the Transitional Federal Government, which is part of our mandate, not as an end in itself, but as a means to assist the Somali people, the ultimate targets of our endeavours.

A partnership between the people of Somalia, the government of Somalia and the international community is really the most sustainable way to help Somalia. While the process continues of building the institutions that constitute the state, the Somali people must be assisted to live as normal a life as possible.

Why is this so critical?

The growing infiltration of foreign extremists into Somalia raises the spectre of an even more complex and more protracted conflict than at first appeared to be the case.

There is increasing evidence of the presence of foreign extremists in the country. Just this past week, a top al Qaeda commander was reported killed in Somalia.

There is rising concern that this phenomenon poses a threat to regional and international peace. But we need to understand that the bigger threat is first and foremost to the Somali people, who now live under constant threat to their lives.

The extremists' menu for the people of Somalia keeps unfolding like a horror film, except that this is real life: Threats against and assassination of anyone they think does not support their agenda; assassination of journalists as a way to intimidate them into either silence or collaboration; the murder of civilians at their most vulnerable moments, be it students at a graduation ceremony, patients waiting for treatment at a hospital or people praying at the mosque.

To compound this, the extremists are denying the Somali people simple pleasures that other people around the world enjoy as a right, including music and dance, which the extremists say is taboo.

Their desecration of Somali shrines violates the people's right to pay respect to their dead. Claiming to be the defenders of Islam, the extremists are committing acts that are totally against Islam and against Somali culture.

Their agenda? To make sure that Somalia degenerates into total disorder, the more easily to serve as a base for their international terrorist agenda. If we disengage from Somalia, we shall be leaving the people of Somalia to fight this international war on our behalf.

This is not the time to distance ourselves from Somalia. On the contrary, it is exactly the time to rally behind the people of that country who are faced with a double threat: from Somali extremists fighting to take power through terror and from international extremists bent on using Somalia to carry out an international terrorist agenda.

We owe it to the Somali people to help them deal with these challenges. So we must make them close partners in whatever we do, recognising that progress in Somalia will come only if the Somali people participate in the process to rebuild Somalia.

Issues of security constitute a major challenge to life especially in the capital, Mogadishu. Amisom recognises this.

One of the Mission's major tasks is to assist in the provision of national security by strengthening the pillars of the state, which comprise the transitional government, the military and the police.

First, by providing support to the Transitional Federal Institutions in their efforts to stabilise Somalia and promote dialogue and reconciliation. Second, by providing training to both the police and the military.

Additionally, the Mission interacts directly with the Somali people by providing free purified drinking water as well as free medical services, treating around 12000 outpatients monthly.

All these activities complement Amisom's support to the Djibouti peace process, an aspect of which is to encourage the TFG to reach out to other political players in Somalia. Earlier this year, Amisom was instrumental in the signing of the agreement between the TFG and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jammah in Addis Ababa.

These activities constitute the essence of the partnership between Amisom, the transitional government, and the people of Somalia.

Last week's conference in Istanbul, focusing on development and reconstruction, was an opportunity for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to help the people of Somalia.

Let us not entertain calls for disengagement of whatever type. For disengagement today will mean re-engagement tomorrow.

Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra is the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia

Yemen: Two Young Somalis Become Role Models In Their Community

Source: Yemen Times (YCPMI)

Date: 24 May 2010

Khaled Al-Hilaly

Published:24-05-2010

Depending on who he's speaking to, 29-year-old Abdulsalam Ismail Abubaker, will switch between fluent Somali, English and Arabic, impressing listeners with his convincing arguments.

In a meeting about the media coverage of refugee issues, he explained how stigmatizing Somali refugees with crimes and diseases like Aids, can affect their lives.

He started his speech by first expressing appreciation for Yemen giving Somalis refuge.

"We thank the Yemeni people for hosting us," he said in a calm and tactful way, "Yemen is the only country in the area that welcomes us and we will never forget this fact."

Sitting among members of the Horseed Somali Student Union in Aden, Abubaker, in his black suit, looks like a leader. In fact, that is what the other members of the union and the Somali community call him. When he speaks, they listen carefully and nod their heads in agreement.

He is there for them when they need help. If he sees someone struggling to express their opinion in Arabic or English, he intervenes, talks to them in Somali, and translates for those listening.

Along with a group of Somali university students, he started a monthly newspaper in 2007. It's written in the Somali language and its vision is to preserve the Somali heritage and language among Somalis living in Aden and other Yemeni governorates. The newspaper, funded by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), is distributed for free.

He is known as an activist in his Somali community in Aden, especially in Al-Bassateen, where he lives.

Abubaker points to some Somali stories from the new issue of the Horseed Times newspaper and translates the headlines to English.

Abdulsalam Ismail Abubaker, 29, started a monthly newspaper in Somali with other students in 2007.

"Through the Horseed Times, we try to keep Somalis connected to their culture and language," he said.

Although Abubaker had a dream to study computer engineering, he is studying economics instead. He considers himself lucky because he received a scholarship from the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI), to study at Aden University.

"I wouldn't have gone to university without this scholarship," he said "It is difficult for a Somali student to enter university in Yemen on his own, he has to pay the same tuition as a foreigner."

The current unstable situation in Somalia has not made him give up his dream of eventually returning to his homeland and rebuilding his country after over 20 years of war.

"We live in the hope that one day peace will come to Somalia," said Abubaker.

As a young Somali living and studying outside his war-torn country, he believes that the solution to the conflict is education.

"Somalia needs educated people to rule the country, and that's it," he said.

He hasn't been able to find a part-time job to help his father, a school principal in Kharaz refugee camp, the sole breadwinner for his family of 12. All the jobs he has found are in the morning and he has college.

He's looking forward to completing his studies and he hopes to find a job soon after.

He doesn't like linking Somalia's Shabab militia with Islam because "it is just a movement that is feed on chaos."

He thinks that many Yemenis are aware that not all Somalis are Shabab and he doesn't like to hear generalizations about his community.

He urges Somalis living around the world to help bring peace to their country by participating in elections in order to have the right kind of leadership for the country.

Although he has lived in Aden since he was 3 years old, he thinks that Somalis living away from their home shouldn't be deceived by life in other countries.

"There is nothing that can replace home," he said.

In Sana'a, another educated Somali helps his community far from home.

Abdilkadir Sheikh is 26 years old. After coming from Kenya, where he studied English, he worked as an English teacher in an institute owned by a Yemeni. He then decided to establish his own institute to help his community by teaching English and the principles of using computers and the internet. The fees are affordable for Somalis.

"I am a refugee and I know that other refugees cannot afford to pay more," he said.

Sheikh doesn't reject students who have no money to pay for classes. He even gives some students a textbook for free. One third of students in his classrooms do not pay. He has a mixture of students in his classes, Somalis directly from Somalia, Yemeni-born Somalis, half Yemeni Somalis, and Yemenis.

"I feel happy when I help, at least I'm doing something," he said.

In his 16-student, mixed English classroom, Sheikh explains new vocabulary to his students in English. When they demonstrate that they don't understand the meaning, he gives them the equivalent word in Somali. Bursts of laughter are often heard coming from his class. His class is for studying and also for fun. His teaching includes making funny comments and jokes.

Sheikh takes every opportunity to integrate with the Yemeni community in Al-Safiya, a district to the south of Sana'a, where the biggest community of Somalis live. His Yemeni friends and students come to his institute and some of them have started speaking Somali.

He tells a joke about a Somali woman who has trouble with her Arabic. One day, she takes the bus and a man sits next to her. Instead of telling him "Ib'id", "Get away from me" in Arabic, she says "Iqrub", or "Come closer!"

"The situation in Somalia is deteriorating every day and hope is very slim there," he said.

Sheikh said that the Somalis don't know why they are fighting and that he finds this ridiculous. On a visit to Somalia coming from Kenya, he said that he asked a member of the militia why he was fighting.

"I don't know why I am fighting," was the answer.

He feels good because his family lives far from Mogadishu city, the most dangerous area in Somalia.

He said that he always remembers that Yemenis have done whatever they can for Somalis.

"Yemen welcomes Somalis to live wherever they want to, just like Yemenis," he said "There is no other country like Yemen."

Weekly Humanitarian Bulletin 21-28 may 2010

Issue # 20     21 -28 May 2010
Key Overall Developments
Puntland Storm and Floods update
A storm which hit parts of the Puntland coastline on 21 May, accompanied by heavy rains that caused floods, left a trail of
destruction mostly affecting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and poor communities in Bossaso town as most shelters
are susceptible to environmental hazards. A rapid assessment was conducted by Puntland authorities, the United Nations
and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on 23 May, establishing that nearly 2,100 households (approximately
12,000 people) were affected by the floods loosing their shelter and livelihoods. The most urgent needs were identified as
shelter material, food aid and latrine rehabilitation as most of the existing ones were flooded raising concerns of waterborne
diseases outbreak.
Belet Weyne, Hiraan
Following heavy rains in Belet Weyne, during the reporting week, the Shabelle River which passes through the town broke
its banks and flooded parts of the town. Many area residents, (an estimated 900 households), were evacuated to higher
grounds in Ceeljaale, an area 5km east of the town. On 26 May, a coordination meeting was organised by OCHA and
identified shelter, food and medical care as the most urgent needs of those affected.
Islamist groups lifts ban on humanitarian activities in Hiraan
On 23 May, Hizbul Islam ordered all humanitarian organizations operating in Hiraan region to stop operations and close
down offices in 24 hours, accusing them of doing nothing to assist people in need. However, following a coordination
meeting on flood response in the area, the Islamist group allowed the organisations to resume operations.
Incidents involving journalists
On 25 May, Hizbul Islam arrested three journalists in Afgooye, Lower Shabelle, for unclear reasons. According to media
sources, the three were released the following day. Last week, a radio station based in Boondheere district in Mogadishu
was looted forcing it to go off air. The National Union of Somali Journalists says attacks on the press have increased
recently.
Conflict and Displacement
Mogadishu
During the week, almost daily fighting continued in Mogadishu between insurgents and the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) forces affecting civilian neighbourhoods in northern Mogadishu. On 22-23 May, at least 30 people
were killed and more than 50 others were wounded with major displacements reported from several districts. WHO
reports that between 20 March and 24 May, 1,025 casualties including 262 children under five were reported from the two
main hospitals in Mogadishu.
UNHCR says an estimated 17,100 have been displaced from Mogadishu since 1 April, with 10,200 having moved to
relatively calmer parts of the city while 6,900 have moved out of Mogadishu. UNHCR notes that the last two weeks (13-27
May) have registered a significant number of displacements with 14,300 (84 percent) having been displaced from
Mogadishu alone.
On 21 May, UNHCR issued an urgent appeal to governments worldwide not to forcibly return Somalis seeking refuge
back to the country, citing a deteriorating situation in Somalia. Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, the UNHCR
spokesperson said inconsistencies in the way that countries are dealing with people fleeing Somalia were allowing returns
to happen and putting lives at risk. "Today, we are appealing to all states to uphold their international obligations with
regard to non-refoulement," she said. "In recent months there have been incidents of returns . . . These have included a
further reported deportation of over 100 Somalis from Saudi Arabia to Mogadishu in mid May."
Ethiopian soldiers clash with locals in Buuhoodle, Togdheer
On 21 May, reports indicate that fighting erupted between Ethiopian soldiers and Buuhoodle locals when the former
refused access to Somali trucks entering Ethiopia. At least 17 people were killed in the skirmishes while more than 20
others were wounded with unconfirmed numbers of people fleeing the area.
Clashes in Sool & Sanaag regions
There was fighting between Somaliland forces and a clan militia group called Sool, Sanaag, Cayn (SSC) in Widhwidth
town, 65 km north of Buuhoodle, triggering displacement of an estimated 2,000 people. Heavy rains have been reported
in the area hampering mobility for both the IDPs and humanitarian agencies.
Response
Water Sanitation & Hygiene
In response to the damage caused by the storm in Puntland, and in collaboration with the local council, UNICEF and
partners supported garbage collection, started the rehabilitation of 12 damaged latrines, hygiene promotion activities
through the provision of soap and water chlorination.
Shelter and Non-Food Items
UNHCR distributed 3,000 blankets, 2,000 plastic sheets to those affected by the storm in Bossaso.
Food Aid
In Somaliland, WFP and partners distributed 570 metric tons of assorted food commodities to 53,910 beneficiaries under
general food distribution (GFD) in Sool and Togdheer regions. In Central Somalia, 164,250 beneficiaries received 2,425
metric tons of assorted food commodities under GFD in Cadaado, Guri Ceel and Dhuusamarreeb districts for the month of
May. In Puntland, 12 metric tons of food was distributed to 4,212 beneficiaries under the blanket supplementary feeding
programme in Gaalkacyo district. Some 200 IDP households affected by the recent floods in Gardo district received 14
metric tons of assorted food commodities under the immediate response option of the sub office.
Food aid partners also distributed food to 10,500 people affected by the floods and 4,000 urban poor in Bossaso.
Health
WHO provided one basic health kit and 3,500 courses of erythromycin syrup to partners to respond to the outbreak of
suspected whooping cough in Hiraan. Partners have also intensified vaccination activities for the disease.
WHO in collaboration with health partner COSV conducted a one-day technical training for 70 traditional birth attendants
and community health workers from seven districts of Lower Shabelle region. The training provided guidelines on risk
signs to the mother and child during delivery and the referral of delivery complications. The guidelines which were
translated in Somali were distributed.

Contact: For further information in English, contact: Rita Maingi on +254 734 800 120 – maingir@un.org In Somali,
contact Abdi Yussuf Noor on +254 732 391 040 – nooryussuf@un.org