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Somalia – Complex Emergency

June 17, 2009

Situation Report #6, Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 (PDF, 50kb)

Background

Since 1991, widespread violence, endemic poverty, recurrent droughts, and floods have generated a complex emergency in Somalia. From December 2006 to January 2009, fighting between the Somalia Transitional Federal Government (TFG), backed by Ethiopian forces, and armed militias opposed to the TFG led to a further deterioration in humanitarian conditions. Following January 2009 Ethiopian troop withdrawals, conflict between armed militia groups in Somalia continues to displace populations and limit access to affected areas. As a result, nearly 500,000 Somali refugees have fled the country and more than 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), including long-term IDPs and individuals displaced by increased fighting since February 2007, remain uprooted within Somalia.

In January 2009, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) reported that 3.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Somalia, representing 43 percent of the total population and a 77 percent increase since January 2008. The combined effects of consecutive seasons of failed or poor rainfall, continuing conflict, rising inflation, massive displacement, and diarrheal disease outbreaks have severely exacerbated food insecurity and resulted in a significant increase in acute malnutrition rates, according to the 2009 U.N. Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for Somalia. U.N. and partner agencies are coordinating efforts to improve access, but insecurity and targeted attacks against relief staff hinder the provision of emergency assistance to affected populations.

On October 31, 2008, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Michael E. Ranneberger redeclared a disaster in Somalia due to the complex emergency. To date in FY 2009, the U.S. Government (USG) has provided more than $149 million for humanitarian assistance programs in Somalia, including more than $9 million in USAID/OFDA funding to support agriculture and food security, economy and market systems, health, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.

Current Situation

An escalation in fighting between TFG forces and armed militia groups in Mogadishu since May 7 has resulted in significant population displacement and disruptions to trade and market activities, further exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that recent assessments project the continuation of widespread food insecurity in many parts of the country through November 2009. Currently 3.2 million people, representing 43 percent of the country’s population, require humanitarian assistance and livelihood support, according to FSNAU. In addition, in agro-pastoralist areas of Hiran Region, FSNAU reports an escalation in global acute malnutrition (GAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rates exceeding 27 percent and 8 percent, respectively, significantly above the GAM and SAM emergency thresholds of 15 and 1 percent.

To date, the intermittent and sporadic performance of the April to July gu rains have resulted in predominantly below normal rainfall countrywide, according to the USAID-supported Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). Despite normal rainfall levels in parts of Bay, Bakool, Middle Shabelle, and Lower Shabelle regions, drought conditions persist in Mudug, Galgadud, Nugal, Sool, Sanag, and Togdher regions in central and northern Somalia.

USAID/OFDA staff continue to monitor conditions and address evolving needs resulting from the drought and food security crisis, in addition to facilitating coordination and information sharing among international relief organizations.

Security and Access

Insecurity and targeted attacks against aid workers continue to hinder humanitarian access and the delivery of assistance and services to displaced and conflictaffected populations. OCHA reports that increased fighting in recent weeks has extended beyond the capital of Mogadishu, including the major towns of Jowhar and Mahaday, Middle Shabelle Region, currently under the control of armed opposition groups following May 17 and 18 attacks, respectively.

During the May 17 attack on Jowhar, armed militias raided and looted the U.N Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warehouse, resulting in significant property loss and the destruction of most of UNICEF’s immunization cold chain for central and south Somalia, as well as the theft of food and nutrition commodities. In a May 20 report, UNICEF highlighted the disruption of countrywide services due to losses associated with the Jowhar site that served as the main hub for service delivery to central and south Somalia, including interruptions in the treatment of approximately 50,000 severely malnourished and more than 85,000 moderately malnourished children in central and south Somalia and delays in the implementation of the second round of the Child Health Days campaign. The Child Health Days campaign provides health services to children and to women of child-bearing age.

Between January 1 and April 30, the U.N reported the abduction and subsequent release of six aid workers in Somalia. However, 16 of the 26 aid workers abducted during 2008 remain in captivity. In addition, unidentified gunmen killed three local nongovernmental organization (NGO) staff in an April 10 attack in Bakool Region.

In response to ongoing security concerns, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution extending the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to January 31, 2010. The May 22 resolution also condemned the recent resurgence in fighting and emphasized the need for all parties’ cooperation to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations.

Population Movements

An escalation in fighting since May 7 has reversed a previously UNHCR-reported trend of increased IDP returns to the capital in 2009 that had reached nearly 75,000 people between January 1 and early May. However, between May 7 and June 10, conflict between TFG forces and armed militias resulted in the displacement of more than 122,000 people from Mogadishu, including recently returned IDPs, according to UNHCR. Of the total, approximately 34,000 IDPs moved to areas along the Afgooye corridor adjacent to the capital, which accommodates an estimated 400,000 previously displaced individuals. Conflict displaced an additional 37,000 individuals within Mogadishu and another 51,000 people to more distant locations in Galgadud, Middle Shabelle, and Lower Shabelle regions. OCHA reports shelter and health assistance as priority needs among the newly displaced.

In addition to internal displacement, insecurity continues to contribute to increased population movement across international borders. According to a June 12 OCHA report, the number of Somali refugees arriving in Kenya has recently doubled from an average of 100 refugees a day to nearly 200 new arrivals a day. Since January 1, nearly 32,000 Somalia refugees have arrived in Kenya, increasing the total number of Somali refugees in Kenya to more than 297,000 to date.

Severe overcrowding at the Dadaab refugee complex in the North Eastern Province of Kenya remains a critical concern among humanitarian agencies operating in the area. Intended to accommodate 90,000 people, the Dadaab complex currently hosts approximately 274,000 refugees, resulting in a lack of basic services and associated health risks. Negotiations remain ongoing between UNHCR and the Government of Kenya to secure land for additional camp construction. In addition, UNHCR plans to transfer up to 10,000 refugees to Kakuma camp in the Rift Valley Province in northwestern Kenya to help reduce overcrowding in Dadaab.

To date in FY 2009, State/PRM has contributed nearly $9 million earmarked to support Somali refugees in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Yemen, as well as $16 million for UNHCR and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operations within Somalia.

Food Security

As a result of the poor performance of the gu rains in the pastoral regions of Togdher, Sool, Nugal, and most of Bari, Mudug, and Galgadud regions, FEWS NET reports significant water and pasture shortages, leading to reduced livestock productivity and associated increases in food insecurity, as well as abnormal migration patterns as pastoralist attempt to locate alternative resources for their livestock. OCHA notes that poor livestock conditions in affected areas have contributed to a 20 to 35 percent decline below the five-year average in pastoralists’ purchasing power, further exacerbating food security concerns.

FEWS NET also reports the potential for inadequate rainfall in agricultural areas of Hiran Region, and parts of Bakool, Gedo, and Middle Juba regions to result in below-normal August crop production.

Despite a slight decrease in local staple food prices in April, price levels remain above the five-year average, according to FEWS NET. In addition, FEWS NET notes that disruptions to market activities resulting from increased conflict and insecurity in Mogadishu are expected to negatively impact the prices of food, fuel, and other commodities in the coming weeks.

To date in FY 2009, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $1.1 million to support agriculture and food security programs in Somalia, including animal health interventions intended to safeguard livelihood assets.

Health and Nutrition

Recent nutrition surveys confirm escalating levels of acute malnutrition throughout Somalia. According to FSNAU, seven nutrition assessments conducted between March and April 2009 identified GAM and SAM rates significantly above emergency thresholds in Hiran Region and among Somaliland IDP populations in Hargeisa, Burao, and Berbera. FSNAU confirmed the highest malnutrition levels among Hiran Region agro-pastoralists, with GAM and SAM rates averaging 25.5 percent and 8 percent, respectively, in children under five years of age.

The U.N. estimates that approximately 45 percent of the Somali population is moderately malnourished, in addition to 90,000 children identified as severely malnourished by UNICEF.

In response to increased malnutrition concerns, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) and partner organizations have extended blanket supplementary feeding programs to include nearly 90,000 targeted children between 6 and 59 months of age in Mudug and Galgadud regions, as well as nutrition interventions for 20,000 malnourished children in Gedo Region. In addition, OCHA reported that as of June 12, UNICEF and the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) Child Health Days campaign in southern Somalia had reached more than 1 million children under five years of age and more than 788,000 women of child-bearing age. The campaign consists of Vitamin A supplements, de-worming vaccinations, nutrition screening, referral services, and oral rehydration therapy.

To date in FY 2009, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $1.8 million to support health and nutrition activities in Somalia, including programs aimed at improving essential health service provision for vulnerable populations, as well as the continuation and expansion of nutrition assessments. In addition, FY 2008 USAID/OFDA funding supports ongoing nutrition and health programs, including the UNICEF and WHO Child Health Days campaign and programs aimed at mitigating acute malnutrition impacts on children under five years of age.

Emergency Food Assistance

In April, WFP distributed more than 38,000 metric tons (MT) of food to 2.9 million beneficiaries throughout Somalia, representing 83 percent of planned distributions. As a result of WFP road rehabilitation programs, WFP notes improved food deliveries typically impeded during the April to July rainy season due to poor road infrastructure. According to WFP, the WFP food assistance pipeline is projected to remain full through October 2009.

Sea piracy off the coast of Somalia continues to pose a significant security threat to the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to the region. As of June 12, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported 132 piracy incidents in 2009, exceeding the total number of 111 incidents in 2008. However, IMB reports indicate that despite an increase in the number of attempted hijackings, the number of successful hijackings has remained below 2008 levels, with only 29 to date.

Increased piracy incidents underscore the need for escorts to ensure delivery of critical humanitarian food assistance to affected populations in Somalia. Since December 2008, European Union naval escorts of WFP-contracted ships have safely delivered more than 176,000 MT of assorted food to Somalia.

To date in FY 2009, USAID/FFP has provided nearly 160,000 MT of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance, valued at more than $124 million, to WFP and CARE for distribution to vulnerable populations.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

The presence of waterborne diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene and a lack of safe drinking water presents significant health risks for populations throughout Somalia, particularly in drought-affected areas. WHO cautioned that recent confirmed cases of cholera in Mogadishu, Lower Juba, Lower Shabelle, and Bay regions indicate the potential for a widespread cholera outbreak.

To date in FY 2009, USAID/OFDA has provided nearly $1.2 million to support water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions countrywide, including programs designed to increase access to safe drinking water among IDP populations, as well as hygiene education programs aimed at reducing the spread of waterborne diseases.

For detailed information on U.S. Government humanitarian assistance to Somalia, please see Situation Report #6, Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 (PDF, 50kb)

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