A snapshot of the Consolidated Appeal for Somalia for 2000

How much is required?
Total of US$ 50.5 million for:

Food Security & Protection of Livelihoods: US$ 14.6 million; Health & Nutrition: US$ 12.5 million; Water & Environmental Sanitation: US$ 6.4 million; Education: US$ 9.9 million; Reintegration of refugees: US$ 32.1 million; Human Rights & Gender: US$ 1.9 million; Public Administration: US$ 9.3 million; Economic Development & Infrastructure

WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?

  • Somalia comprises two very distinct areas, (a) a relatively stable North comprised by "Somaliland" in the northwest and "Puntland" in the northeast, and (b) a volatile South comprised by eight main regions spanning south of the "green line" in the Mudug region. Northern Somalia with an estimated population of 1.7 million, is the recipient of more than 60% of donor contributions. Assistance activities in this part of Somalia are geared towards rehabilitation and economic recovery for these predominantly pastoral households. In complete contrast, there is evidence of a full blown humanitarian crisis in southern and central Somalia, estimated to have 4.3 million people (including one million in Mogadishu). Humanitarian organizations are trying to provide communities in these areas with life-saving support whilst assisting in the reestablishment of essential basic services such as health care and safe water. However, UN relief agencies estimate that they are unable to access some 1.6 million due to insecurity.
  • Somalia's neighbours include Kenya (Southwest) and Ethiopia (West).

WHAT IS OUR COMMON HUMANITARIAN ACTION PLAN?

  • To (a) gain access to and meet the emergency needs of vulnerable populations; (b) intervene in certain areas to prevent or mitigate a combination of man-made or naturally triggered disasters; (c) secure a safe operating environment; (d) provide assistance and protection to vulnerable groups; (e) improve mechanisms for coordination, security and support services for humanitarian organizations.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CONSTRAINTS WE FACE?

  • Access: limited by insecurity
  • Funding: lack of resources has resulted in lack of flexibility and preventive capacity to respond to arising emergencies, the absence of linkages to long-term recovery activities and a reduced presence in crises areas.

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

  • Develop a more area-based approach to the analysis and planning of humanitarian interventions in Somalia.
  • Strengthen current mechanisms for the safe and efficient deployment of humanitarian workers and aid supplies to ensure beneficiaries have access to relief aid.
  • Provide relief aid to vulnerable groups, internally displaced persons estimated at more than 300,000, and returnees attempting to reintegrate into their communities of origin.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOT GET THE RESOURCES?

  • More than 1.2 million people dependent on international food aid due to successive crop failures would lose their lifeline.
  • Close to 400,000 hungry poor would be deprived of life sustaining food aid during the hardest periods. In addition, some 90,000 vulnerable framers would be deprived from access to seeds and tools while close to 100,000 people would lose the opportunity of using local initiatives supported by relief agencies to regain self-sufficiency.
  • Civilians attempting to produce for their households would lose access to improved irrigation systems and flood prevention schemes.
  • Hundreds of thousands of women and children would lose the opportunity of continued access to immunization, health care, feeding centers, reproductive health services and assistance during epidemics.
  • Deterioration of the water systems installed during the last six years.
  • Somalia's youth would lose the opportunity to gain access to alternative forms of education. Enrollment rates for primary and secondary schools would continue to decrease increasing the number of children who remain uneducated, illiterate and unskilled. Current estimates indicate that on average, one in ten children of primary school age are enrolled and only one third of them are boys. Most of those between 14-18 are out on the streets.
  • Refugees returning to areas of origin in relatively safe areas of Somalia, namely the North would be deprived from assistance in their return and reintegration efforts. More than 80,000 refugees could be repatriated by UNHCR from Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen and Djibouti during the year 2000. Reintegration programmes would assist the communities of return as well as internally displaced persons as essential services would be reactivated to facilitate local recovery efforts.
  • Efforts to advocate for the respect of the rights of children, women (female genial mutilation) and the protection of civilians at risk in conflict areas would be jeopardized. This would encourage the disregard for basic human rights and the development of the rule of law.
  • Areas of Somalia crawling towards economic and social development would lose access to technical assistance essential to ensure the sustainability of local initiatives.

Please find more information on the Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals for 2000 at http://www.reliefweb.int/appeals