This report was written in cooperation with the cluster leads for Somalia
OVERVIEW
Amidst alarming malnutrition rates from most parts of the South and Central regions of Somalia, there is growing concern among the humanitarian community over restricted access to people in most need. Humanitarian organisations working in the sectors of food aid, education, health and protection all reported limitations in access, while civilians experienced limitations in access to basic needs such as food, shelter and water as well as to education and markets.
The deteriorating humanitarian situation in South and Central Somalia, among other issues was addressed by the Somalia UN Country Team in a joint mission to Mogadishu when meeting with the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) on 20 September. The severe ongoing nutrition crisis in the Shabelle regions, normally Somalia's 'bread basket', where malnutrition rates are currently between 17% - 19%, was stressed. Severe acute malnutrition is more than 4%. At least 500,000 people (including IDPs) are in need of assistance. While the poor rains have contributed to crop failure, the civil insecurity in the capital that has caused some 300,000 people to flee is the driving factor for the current humanitarian emergency.
Insecurity in Mogadishu during the reporting month persisted, causing an additional 25,000 people to flee the city. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR's) Population Movement Tracking (PMT) estimates that everyday, at least 1,000 people move out of Mogadishu. Worrying statistics from one of the main hospitals in Mogadishu in September recorded about 120 gun shot and shell wounded casualties admitted. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), in a report on Mine Action Assessment released in June 2007, reported 466 people died of mine-related incidents since January. This indicates that Somalia has the highest rate, relative to any other African country.
A moderate flood alert in South Central regions was raised to high in the first week of October by the Somali Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM). Flooding could exacerbate an already precarious situation as the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a warning on the imminent risk of a cholera outbreak in the South and Central regions, endorsed by the Ministry of Health.
Aid distributions in Mogadishu have not resumed since suspension in June, due to security incidents at distribution points which injured and killed some civilians and aid staff present. Reports say in Mogadishu the enrolment rate for registered students dropped by more than 50% when schools opened in August, compared to the previous academic year. The first week of October, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) announced it would deploy more soldiers in Mogadishu, intensifying arms searches in an effort to restore peace and order. Although the TFG lifted the curfew in the city to allow free movement during Ramadan, the number of assassinations of government officials and attacks on police stations increased during September. The number of humanitarian workers' vehicle carjacking incidents increased with at least five incidents reported during the third week.
Humanitarian aid workers are gearing up for emergencies as well as dialoguing with the TFG for support to reach the vulnerable people in South Central regions. Additional emergency resources are needed now more than ever, but combined also with longer term funding for risk reduction.
On the disputed border of Somaliland and Puntland in Lasanod (Sool region), fighting erupted on 17 September between troops from Puntland and Somaliland. A long-standing and unresolved boundary dispute over the western regions of Sool and Sanag, results in sporadic clashes from time to time. The Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator (HC/RC) jointly with the Coordination of International Support to Somalia (CISS) sent out a public statement the first week of October deploring the increasing tensions in the area and possible humanitarian consequences. Almost six thousand people crossed the Gulf of Aden from Bossaso (Puntland) during the month. While the mixed migration crossings used to be comprised primarily of Ethiopians seeking better economic opportunities, Somali's now make up the vast majority of migrants. Somalis are both fleeing the violence and are seeking better economic activities abroad, due to the continued insecurity plaguing Mogadishu. As of the end of September this year, compared to the total of people being smuggled in 2006, nearly double the numbers of dead and missing people have been reported.
