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Somalia

Somalia Weekly Humanitarian Bulletin #3, 14-21 January 2011

Attachments

Key Overall Developments

Worsening Drought Situation in Somalia

The drought situation is worsening in many parts of Somalia. According to field and media reports, regions including Hiraan, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Galgaduud, Gedo, Jubas, Bay and Bakool are reportedly the worst affected.

In Gedo, where the situation, is reportedly critical, water, food assistance and health are said to be the priority needs for the drought-affected population in the region. Media and field reports report animals have started dying. Many drought-affected families have moved nearer to urban centres including Belet Xaawo - Luuq and Bardheere. Some families have started selling their assets (particularly in Garbahareey District) to get money for transport to refugees camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Drought Displaced Populations

According to field and media reports many people displaced due to drought are arriving on the outskirts of Mogadishu every day mainly from Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. The exact number of people displaced is not yet available. Recent UNHCR reports indicate that at least 12,000 people have been displaced due to the unfolding drought situation in the country. Many people who fled parts of Lower Shabelle, Bay and Bakool regions have arrived in Xoosh area in Dharkenley district in Mogadishu and are also moving into Madina District. Some IDPs who were interviewed by a local television channel said that they came from various places in the country including Marka, Kismayo, Buur Hakaba and Baidoa in search of livelihoods.

The main driving force behind the movement of pastoralists into Mogadishu is the lack of pasture and water for their livestock as well as the lack of livelihoods for their families. According to field reports, this is the first time ever pastoralists moved with their livestock into Mogadishu, a situation that portrays the severity of the drought situation in the country.

Coordination

On 19 January, UN agencies held a coordination meeting in Mogadishu to discuss the drought situation and the needs of the affected population which moved into Mogadishu and the outlying areas. The meeting resolved to conduct an inter-agency assessment in the southwest part of the capital to assess needs. The assessment will ascertain the number of people affected and priority areas of interventions. It was also resolved that LNGOs be mobilized to conduct a rapid assessment to provide an alternative source of data regarding the scale of the drought effect, particularly in areas where UN agencies may not be able to access.

On 19 January, a second round of Gedo drought coordination meetings took place in Mandera, Kenya. The meeting discussed the current drought situation in Gedo and the possibility for an urgent response to the areas affected. It was reported that the entire Ceel Waaq district and western parts of Baardheere district were the hardest hit by the drought and are in need of urgent response. The two districts are also said to be experiencing gaps in health activities.

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