Somalia Situation Report, 13 Aug 2024

Highlights

• Armed inter-clan violence has displaced nearly 150,000 people in different parts of Somalia, especially in Galmudug and Jubaland States. Partners are assisting those affected.
• The Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia and the OCHA Head of Office visited Somaliland to meet the cash coordination committee, ministers and partners.
• A joint UN mission visited Dhuusamarreeb to discuss with authorities emerging humanitarian issues, funding, prioritization, advocacy, aid diversion and security.
• Somalia joined the global community to celebrate World Hepatitis Day, highlighting the significant health burden of hepatitis. Action is needed to improve prevention and treatment.
• A project supported by Somalia Humanitarian Fund is providing clean water to more than 1,000 families in Qurdubey Village in Gedo region, Jubaland State.

Analysis

Monthly Humanitarian Update July 2024

Armed inter-clan violence displaces thousands from their homes

42,000 displaced in Luuq area, Gedo region

Armed inter-clan violence in Luuq area of Gedo region between 5 and 7 July displaced about 42,000 people, including 12,000 people who were forced to flee to hard-to-reach locations outside Luuq town such as Yurkud, Ceel Boon, and Bashiiro. Some of those displaced moved towards Wajid in South West State. The violence is believed to have been triggered by a dispute over land ownership.

On 27 July, OCHA coordinated an inter-agency mission to assess the impact of the violence in which four civilians died. About one third of those affected were found to have been displaced to hard-to-reach locations and are not able to return home. Mediation efforts are ongoing to allow civilians to return. Those newly displaced include communities that were already displaced by floods and are now experiencing secondary displacement. About 1,5000 hygiene kits have been distributed by the Water, Hygiene and Sanitation Cluster and some ongoing activities have been reprogrammed to meet new needs. However, most humanitarian agencies are at the planning stage and have not started providing assistance.

Over 26,000 displaced in Mudug region

Clan conflicts in Mudug region from 26 June to 2 July forced over 26,000 people to abandon their homes in the remote areas of Galdogob and Jariiban districts, according to an assessment conducted by humanitarian partners between 14 and 19 July. The affected area borders Galmudug and Puntland States. Disruption of nutrition activities, including a mobile team and closure of health facilities were reported in Buq Qalooc village, Jariiban district. Those displaced are particularly vulnerable, with women, children, and the elderly people making up the majority. The clashes also resulted in significant casualties; over 35 people, including civilians, were reportedly killed. An estimated 30 per cent of the displaced people are livestock herders who managed to flee with their livestock. The assessment team observed an estimated 15 to 20 per cent increase in food prices in affected locations.

In response, International Medical Corps has reached 288 affected people with health and nutrition interventions in Saaxqurun and Qoryaweyn villages and International Rescue Committee is providing emergency water trucking services and hygiene kits to 1,050 people in Bandiradlay and Saddex Higlo. It is also providing comprehensive case management services to women and children affected by serious violations; facilitating referrals, as required – including mental health and psychosocial support, alternative care, and medical services in Bandiredly and Sadeh Higlo in Galdogob.

Humanitarian Coordinator visits Hargeisa, Somaliland

During a two-day visit to Somaliland from 16 to 17 July, the Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) for Somalia George Conway, accompanied by the Head of OCHA Somalia Crispen Rukasha, visited Hargeisa to meet the cash coordination committee, ministers and partners. The mission was a follow-up to an earlier mission in May that discussed the Somaliland cash decree and how it could be implemented without infringing humanitarian principles and hindering the smooth operation of humanitarian partners.

It was agreed that cash programming activities continue without change, pending final resolution of points of contention. Other agreed issues include joint prioritisation, monitoring of cash transfer projects and establishment of a joint Government/UN/NGO group. The RC/HC acknowledged the need for durable solutions for people affected by humanitarian crises in Somalia, noting that a costed plan with the Somalia Federal Government is being worked on to support durable solutions for around 1 million displaced people.

Joint mission reaches Xudur town in Bakool region

A joint Government and UN mission visited Xudur district in Bakool region on 20 July to assess the humanitarian situation and ongoing response in Daryeel and Horseed displacement sites, which host close to 30,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), most of whom arrived in the last 6 months from neighbouring villages and districts. The IDPs require food, cash assistance, WASH services, basic health and education assistance. During the visit, the Somalia Disaster Management Agency distributed assorted food assistance to 641 vulnerable households. Community leaders expressed concerns over high prices of commodities and the challenges of accessing basic needs, including food, water, shelter, and health. Additionally, they highlighted the lack of livelihood opportunities.

Xudur has been under siege for the past 10 years and the main supply routes were blocked and controlled by non-state armed groups. Food and other commodities were largely smuggled by donkey carts while humanitarians had to airlift emergency supplies due to access constraints.

OCHA leads inter-agency mission to Dhuusamarreeb, Galmudug State

The OCHA Somalia Head of Office (HoO), Crispen Rukasha, led a three-day inter-agency mission to Dhuusamarreeb and Xerale, Galmudug State, from 29 to 31 July. The mission, comprising OCHA, FAO and WHO, met with authorities including the State Deputy President and humanitarian partners to discuss emerging humanitarian issues, funding, prioritization, advocacy, aid diversion, and security. The mission visited Xerale, which is hosting IDPs affected by recent inter-clan violence. Authorities informed that Galmudug State plans to develop Dhuusamarreeb airport and Hobyo port through a public-private partnership and called for investments in durable solutions and the opening of a UN office in Dhuusamarreeb to improve field presence and advocacy.

The OCHA HoO requested authorities to create a favorable environment for humanitarian operations and assured of the humanitarian community’s commitment to assist people in need. He asked authorities to strengthen mitigation measures against aid diversion. The mission informed that resources to address the growing needs due to upsurge of conflict-driven crisis and displacements in Cabudwaaq, Galdogob, and Jariiban districts, are limited.

According to the authorities, 96,000 families have been affected by recent armed conflict and climatic shocks in Galmudug State. The closure of several health facilities due to funding shortfalls has exacerbated the situation. The mission visited a hospital in Xerale town and noticed that the IDPs have access to basic health and nutrition services provided by Save the Children. Most IDPs are hosted by their relatives, but their influx has overstretched the capacity of existing shelters, water points, and the only health facility in the area. Three boreholes are functioning but four are not in Xerale. The priority needs of the IDPs include food, shelter, health and water. Authorities appealed for mine action services to clear unexploded remnants of war, which pose a threat to civilians.

Efforts to address Hepatitis B in Somalia

Somalia joined the global community to celebrate World Hepatitis Day 2024 on 28 July, under the theme ‘It is time for action.’’ The event highlighted the significant health burden of viral hepatitis in Somalia and called for urgent action to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

According to Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Health, less than 10 per cent of people with viral hepatitis in the country are aware of their status, and less than 2 per cent have access to treatment. During the commemoration, Somalia’s State Minister of Health, Marian Mohamed Hussein, stressed how viral hepatitis cases are posing a threat to the public and called for a collective action. “We are committed to strengthening our hepatitis response despite policy, funding, and capacity challenges,” she said. “Through collaboration and resource mobilisation, and with international support, we aim to implement our National Hepatitis Strategy and achieve our 2030 goals.”

Somalia’s prolonged conflicts, repeated climate shocks and resource constraints have crippled the health system, leaving communities vulnerable to infectious diseases like hepatitis. This highlights the critical need for improved healthcare infrastructure, preventative measures, and strategic public health interventions to address the high prevalence of viral hepatitis. Despite these challenges, there have been notable advancements in addressing Hepatitis. The country has implemented a national Hepatitis B vaccination program, aiming to protect newborns from infection. Additionally, efforts are underway to scale up screening programs for Hepatitis B and C, enabling early detection and treatment. These initiatives are crucial for reducing the long-term health consequences associated with chronic hepatitis infections, including liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Project provides access to life-saving water in Qurdubey, Gedo region

During the 2023 floods, the sole water source in the village was damaged. Consequently, the community resorted to using contaminated water from the Juba river, as there were no other sources for domestic use and for livestock. Collecting water from the river exposed women and girls to the dangers of sexual and gender-based violence and to the risk of crocodile attacks at the riverbanks. Recognizing the challenge, a local organization, Nomadic Assistance for Peace and Development (NAPAD), in partnership with the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF), initiated a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project in Qurdubey. The aim was to improve emergency access to water and provide sustained services for at-risk and flood-affected displaced and host communities in Qurdubey and Busle villages, located in the Doolow district. Project activities included the construction of a new shallow well, a water kiosk with eight taps, connection of pipework to the existing water storage tank in Qurdubey and installation of a solar-powered water pumping system. It now supplies clean and safe water to over 1,000 households.

Desperate search for water before new project

Suada Adow Ibrahim, a mother of five from the village, vividly remembers the desperate search for water before NAPAD stepped in. She and other women encountered numerous obstacles in obtaining water for their families, having to trek approximately four kilometers to and from the river twice daily. “It is over three months since we gained access to clean, safe, and affordable water for drinking and other household purposes,” Suada said. “The newly built water kiosk is conveniently located, a few minutes away from my home, at the heart of our IDP settlement. We now have water to meet our household needs, and there is an abundant supply for everyone. We are extremely thankful to NAPAD and SHF for their assistance. We no longer waste valuable energy and time in fetching water.”

NAPAD trained 14 community volunteers on water source chlorination and provided necessary supplies. The volunteers regularly chlorinate 20 strategic water sources in Ladan, Kaharey, Kabasa and Qansaxley IDP sites, as well as in the host communities of Doolow. Ongoing monitoring and treatment guarantee the quality of the water, which is especially important because water sources can get contaminated or infrastructure damaged.

Somalia Cash Working Group develops 2024/2025 workplan

The annual Somalia Cash Working Group (CWG) workshop held in Mogadishu from 17 to 18 July, convened participants from Somalia, Kenya and Geneva to engage in substantive discussions and knowledge exchange. The workshop facilitated peer-to-peer experience sharing and dissemination of best practices related to Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) programming in Somalia. Participants comprehensively reviewed previous activities, evaluating outcomes, successes, challenges and opportunities, and developed the 2024/2025 workplan for the CWG. The workshop strengthened partnerships among CWG members, donors, implementing agencies, and other key stakeholders to enhance the utilization of CVA approaches for humanitarian response and social protection initiatives in Somalia.

Wherever market conditions allow, coordinated multi-purpose cash programming is used as an effective multi-sector response modality, enabling households to meet their basic needs in a flexible manner. The CWG leads an effective inter-agency cash coordination mechanism and provides operational and technical guidance to cash actors while supporting the implementation of CVA throughout the response. CWG works closely with Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States to improve alignment of humanitarian cash programming with existing initiatives. The FGS and humanitarians have progressively increased the use of cash transfers to support emergency response. This includes integration in social safety net programming to address multiple needs. Between January and June 2024, at least 493,000 people (18 per cent of the target) were reached with multipurpose cash assistance.