Key Overall Developments
The largest in-patient facility in South/Central Somalia (278 beds) run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Xudur town, has been closed. In a press statement issued on 17 June, MSF said, "Given the immense needs in Bakool and beyond, we have continued to work under difficult circumstances, but unfortunately we have to concede that the risks here have reached unacceptable levels." The statement further said that following the abduction of two of its staff members in Bakool in April, and other serious incidents over the past year, they can no longer safely provide quality medical care to the people living in the area. MSF activities in Bakool include the Health Centre in Hudur which has provided 272,700 outpatient consultations since 2002, and four outlying health posts in Labatan Jerow, Ceel Garas, Ceel Berde and Rubdhure. This is a serious setback for the region as the International Medical Corps was forced by Al-Shabaab to suspend all their activities (mainly nutrition interventions) in the area in October 2008.
On 18 June, a suicide car bomb killed at least 34 people, including the Minister for Internal Security in Belet Weyne, Hiraan. Field sources indicate that more than 30 people were injured in the incident. A joint press release issued on 18 June, by the UN, the African Union, the European Union, the Inter-Governmental Agency on Development (IGAD), and the League of Arab States strongly condemned the incident. The security situation in Belet Weyne and surrounding areas has for months been tense and unpredictable.
During the week, there was more violence in Mogadishu's Karaan and Hodan districts between government forces and insurgents killing at least 30 people, including the Mogadishu police chief; more than 120 others were wounded. According to UNHCR, the total number of displaced from Mogadishu since 7 May, is nearly 126,000 people. In another incident on 16 June, the Principal of an SOS Hospital Nursery School in Mogadishu's Yaaqshiid district was reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen while on her way to the hospital. This incident brings the total number of humanitarian workers abducted to seven since January and 17 are still held in captivity in Somalia since January 2008.
The new wave of aggression and hostilities against humanitarian aid work in Somalia is putting the lives of children and women at great risk. A press statement issued by UNICEF on 17 June, said that it has been a month since the Jowhar compound in Middle Shabelle was attached and occupied by militiamen, rendering it inaccessible to its staff members. The looting and destruction of life-saving humanitarian supplies and equipment has enormously affected UNICEF's ability to deliver services to the most vulnerable children and women. The Acting UNICEF Representative, Hannan Sulieman said, "We strongly urge that humanitarian work not be impeded in anyway and demand the immediate return of our facilities in Jowhar town as well as the release of looted equipment and supplies."
Response
During the week, UNHCR and implementing partner Centre for Education and Democracy (CED) resumed the distribution of non-food items targeting 11,905 households in the Afgooye Corridor.
On 15 June, UNICEF and partner Jumbo launched the construction of a water piping system in Kax Shiiqaal as part of the water trucking phase-out strategy. Jumbo will build 10 water collection points to serve 10 IDP settlements, particularly those in Xoosh village in Dharkenley district. The project also includes hygiene promotion and chlorination interventions.
In Waajid, WFP and its partners distributed 159 metric tons of assorted food commodities to 9,602 beneficiaries under targeted general food distribution in Maternal Child Health centres.
In Gedo region, Veterinary Sans Frontieres (VSF Swiss) has completed a mass goat and sheep vaccination campaign against Peste des Petite Ruminante (PPT). According to VSF, a total 400,000 goats and sheep have been vaccinated. The organization also implemented treatment of common animal diseases for 208,000 goats, sheep, donkeys, cattle and camels. A total of 4,000 poor households in six districts of Gedo benefited from the free animal treatment.
Contact: For further information in English, contact: Rita Maingi on +254 734 800 120 – maingir@un.org. In Somali or English, contact Muna Mohamed on + 254 733 643 737 – mohamed26@un.org
