http://www.reliefweb.int/
CONTENTS OF THE REPORT
I. Humanitarian situation of the country (1-2).
II. Humanitarian Response.
* Humanitarian Response to flood affected communities (2)
* IDP/Protection Issues (2-3).
* Health Response (3)
* Disaster Preparedness (4)
* HIV/AIDS (4-5)
III. Coordination Issues
* Coordination mechanism in place (5)
* United Nations Transitional Plan for 2008 (5)
* Consolidated Appeal Process and priorities for humanitarian issues for 2008 (5-6).
* Aid Coordination (6)
* Surveys and Assessments (6-7)
* OCHA website for Somalia/Somaliland (7)
IV. Access Issues (7).
I. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
As reported by FSAU post Gu assessment, most areas received normal rain fall in the last Gu season except areas in Sool and Sanaag regions which are in alert situation and need follow up and monitoring. More rains continue to be received in several parts of Somaliland even after the assessment during Karan season. Improved access to water and pasture for most pastoral livelihoods was reported particularly in the northern and western parts of the country. More rains are also expected during the Deyr season (October-November 2007). Crop production was estimated 141% of the post war average (PWA1). Although crop production prospect is above PWA for most agro-pastoral areas, the bulk of harvest (74%) for this season is from Gabiley district of Hargeisa region followed by Awdal (16%).
Although no acute food security is reported, the livelihood situation of the country is predominantly food insecure according to FSAU food and livelihood phase classification with expected increase in livestock, mainly for shoats, following two consecutive relatively good seasons. However, due to prolonged droughts in the recent past that reduced their coping mechanisms, communities in rural areas require recovery interventions to improve restoring community assets and build up resilience to shocks.
Malnutrition condition of the under five children (U5) in the IDP settlements of Somaliland towns (Hargeisa, Berbera and Burao) is at emergency2 and critical3 levels and requires immediate attention of Somaliland authorities and humanitarian agencies. According the preliminary findings of a nutrition survey of the U5 children conducted in September 2007 by the nutrition cluster in the IDP settlements in the main towns of Somaliland, Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates for U5 children are 10.3%, 15.8%, and 16.3% for Hargeisa, Burao and Berbera IDP settlements respectively while Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) figures are 1.3%, 1.7% and 3.8% for the same IDP settlements respectively.
1 Post War Average is the period of 1998-2006. 2 Any GAM level within 10.0-14.9 like that of Hargeisa is considered emergency (serious). 3 Any GAM levels greater or equal to 15% is considered critical or alarming (e.g. Burao and Berbera). The report represents 70,000 IDPs/returnees for Hargeisa town (e.g. like Statehouse, Stadium, Dami, Sheik Nur, Mohamed Moge, etc.) and 1200 and 900 vulnerable households for Burao (e.g. Koosaar, Aden Suleiman, Yirowe, etc) and Berbera (Jamalaya, Findland, etc) respectively. The malnutrition figures reported for U5 children in 2007 are similar to those reported in 2005 and 2006 for the same settlements and even in 2001 which is a demonstration of delayed response or lack of appropriate response. In October 2005 and March 2006, the GAM rates for Burao and Berbera were 15.1% and 16.3% respectively. For U5 children of the most vulnerable groups including IDPs in Hargeisa town, the malnutrition has deteriorated from 7.6% in 2005 to 10.3% in 2007. In most cases correlation with diarrhea and ARI was reportedly significant as lack of safe drinking water and poor access to sanitation facilities are believed to be among the root causes of malnutrition. Food interventions for malnourished children, improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities and support to livelihood options such as income generation was recommended as important for addressing the malnutrition issues effectively. UNICEF and WFP are planning food interventions (supplementary feeding) to address the malnutrition of the children in the IDP settlements.
Some localized floods (e.g. Bali Abane and Gumar in Hargeisa region, Boon in Awdal region, and Yufle and Dagar in Sanaag region) were reported during this quarter.
Reporting fewer cases during this third quarter of the year (2007), the excessive Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) was slowing down with continued efforts to address this issue by the concerned authorities and humanitarian actors like UNICEF, WHO and many others. In this second quarter of this year, more than 1000 persons were hospitalized due to AWD in Hargeisa, Burao and Borama towns whereas about 30 deaths were reported. During lab tests, CHOLERA cases were confirmed. The outbreak of AWD in Somaliland was reported after such outbreaks were confirmed in Mogadishu and other neighboring countries like Djibouti. Unsafe drinking water and poor access to sanitation facilities (latrines) are widely believed to be among the major causes of such diarrhea outbreaks.
The increase of food prices within this quarter particularly in August is really a problem affecting the poor and destitute households the most. For instance; the prices of the basic food items like rice and wheat flour have gone up from $ 18-19 to $29-30 and $16-17 to $25-26 per 50 Kg respectively within two weeks in August 2007. This increased price of food can exacerbate the already poor conditions of the malnourished children for the u5 children in the poorest sectors of the community including IDPs.
Although Somaliland Shilling remained less fluctuating against the dollar for the last few years, the devaluation of the US dollar was obvious during this quarter. The inflation is highly affecting the eastern regions like Sanaag region which has trade relations with Puntland. The cause of inflation in Puntland and eastern regions was interpreted as the printing of fake Somali shilling which is widely reported in August 2007.
II. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Inter-Agency Emergency Response to flood affected communities Several emergency situations were reported as Karan rains (July-September) destroyed shelter and basic infrastructure (health posts, schools) in several locations throughout the country. In collaboration with the Ministry of National Planning and Coordination and NERAD, UN agencies and NGOs (both International and Local) have exerted coordinated efforts to response to the flood-affected communities in the various locations like Boon (Awdal Region), Bali Abane and Gumar (Hargeisa region) and Yufle and Dagar (Sanaag region) based on the inter-agency assessments made prior to the delivery of the assistance. The assistance delivered includes the rehabilitation of the damaged schools for Bali Abane, Gumar and Boon villages by NRC, Food for Assets for assisting the asset creation of the communities of Bali Abane, Gumar and Boon by WFP with Candlelight as implementing partner, and technical support to beehive owners by FAO (for Boon Communities). UNHCR supported in the provision of emergency shelter to affected households in Bali Abane and Gumar. UNICEF assisted the rehabilitation of the MCH at Gumar village. About 227 households (1362 persons) in Bali-Abane, Gumar and Boon benefited from this assistance.
According to an inter-agency assessment carried out from 6th to 11th September 2007 in flood affected areas of Sanaag region particularly Dagar and Yufle villages more than 1000 livestock herds (mainly shoats) died during stormy rains. To avoid falling into destitution, some of the households need restocking.
UNICEF delivered medical supplies including 150 ITNS and 2 health post kits to Yufle MCH right after the floods to strengthen local preparedness for any negative health hazards that may follow the rains. IDP and Projection Issues.
Emergency Response to displaced communities in Eegaag (Buhoodle district)
On 9th August 2007 joint humanitarian response assistance was started for about 600 households who were displaced due to intra-clan conflict within Buhoodle district of Togdheer region. Inhabited by people displaced from several villages in this district, Eegaag became a large displacement camp and after inter-agency assessment in August 2007, a desperate humanitarian condition was reported which triggered the humanitarian response. The assistance delivered included food (104 Mtns of assorted commodities—enough for 2 months), water trucking (3000 drums of water + installation of 2 water bladders), hygiene kits for 390 families, emergency shelter (400 plastic sheets) and 400 sleeping mats. Planned activities included construction of sanitation facilities (30-40 latrines), temporary school tents (3) and construction of a water source (1).
WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, and DRC were among the main actors that participated in responding to the humanitarian needs in Eegaag village. A local NGO called Haqsoor was active in the reconciliation process to restore peace in the area in collaboration with traditional elders and other actors like DRC.
Unfortunately the humanitarian assistance was slowed down after the withdrawal of most agencies that were operating in the area due to one insecurity incident involving the injury of a driver for a UNICEF-rented vehicle. After hospitalized and operated in Burao hospital, the wounded driver, Mr. Abdilahi Salan is in good condition and agencies are considering re-engaging their activities as the security situation allows. The perpetrator was reportedly captured by the local community condemning him as criminal element. Having differences on who represents who, some people in the community were not happy with the committee that was working with the humanitarian agencies. Hence, remaining on the principle of “do no harm” is very important for humanitarian actors in day-to-day activities and contacts with the community elders.
Land preparation in Ayaha III, a new relocation site for Statehouse IDPs and Completion of 87 low cost houses in Ayaha II (UNHABITAT). UNHABITAT in collaboration with the Hargeisa Municipality, MRRR and Ministry of Interior has started site planning for Ayaha III as part of the proposed joint programme which intends to resettle more 3000 IDP household in Statehouse settlement in Hargeisa to Ayaha III provided that basic services and other necessary infrastructure are funded. However; initial assessments indicate that the Ayaha III site may not accommodate more than 2000 households when properly managed due to the existence of gullies, hills, graveyards, flood prone areas, and the allocation of public facilities. Therefore, there is a need to find other sites within Hargeisa town for accommodating more than 1000 households. According to a written notice which was widely disseminated to farmers and land owners in the Ayaha III area by the Municipality of Hargeisa, “The planning and re-adjustment exercise relates to land situated on the west side of Ayaha II in Ahmed Dhegeh District, South-West of Hargeisa. The purpose of this exercise is to plan the south west expansion of the city through the provision of urban services and infrastructure and the re-planning of land use to support mixed residential settlements including the integration of displaced communities. Accordingly, all new developments in the indicated area are hereby forbidden until the completion of this exercise”. This notice (written in Somali) was intended to inform the local community about the possible resettlement of IDPs and the need to collaborate with local authorities. This process involves the farmers and land owners in site planning whereby land owners are negotiated with and requested to be flexible to allow the reintegration of IDPs within them.
This is in connection with a joint programme worked out by both Somaliland authorities, UN agencies and INGOs that intends to find funds to improve living conditions of 3 IDP settlements (Dami, Statehouse and Stadium) in Hargeisa town and to help resettle the Statehouse IDP settlement as a pilot project. The joint programme is trying to address access to basic services, low cost shelter and land provision, support to livelihoods and protection of the concerned communities.
The Japanese-funded Shelter project in Ayaha II implemented by UNHABITAT through HAVOYOCO with the support of WFP is yielding promising results as the first patch of 87 houses are ready to be handed over to the beneficiaries after about two years of construction and vocational training for about 500 people. These people were equipped with construction skills (e.g. masonry, carpentry, etc.) and many of them are reportedly becoming competent in the local markets. The target for low cost housing was 340 units of which about 160 are expected to be finished this year (2007) including the 87 which are completed. The remaining half (53%) will be implemented next year (2008) provided the availability of funds.
UNHABITAT-implemented shelter project in Ayah II (Source: UNHABITAT). Some of the protection Activities in IDP settlements and towns generally.
With Haqsoor (LNGO) as a local implementing partner and in collaboration with MRRR, UNHCR has started community policing initiative in Statehouse IDP settlement as a pilot initiative and the activities will expand to other settlements in Hargeisa as well. This project will strengthen the links and communication between local communities in the IDP settlements and the local police to enhance protection of women and girls and the inhabitants of the settlements in general.
UNHCR has already installed security lights in certain strategic places in Statehouse to reduce risk of SGBV incidents in the night. Other ongoing protection activities in IDP settlements include case management of SGBV victims with referral mechanisms such as psycho-social support, legal clinic and medical care. Furthermore, child protection awareness, protection monitoring activities to report on human rights violations and its trends, tracking of population movement to highlight the level and trends of crisis induced movements (i.e. displacement from SC Somalia, Ogaden region of Ethiopia, tensions in Lasanod area of Sool region, Buhoodle district of Togdheer region, etc.) and women and child desks to support the women and children who are arrested by the police (mostly in conflict with law), and general support to judiciary system policies and police are among protection-related activities.
Child Protection Awareness raising by CCBRS in Laalays Village (Sahil Region).
IOM is leading a mixed migrant taskforce with to objective to reduce flow of irregular migrants and asylum seekers from Ethiopia and Somalia to Yemen via Somaliland (Togwajale, Burao, etc.) and Bossaso in collaboration with UNHCR and the local authorities. This includes outreach support and protection to vulnerable migrants and keeping them informed of the dangers awaiting them in their journeys as hundreds die across the Gulf of Aden due to use of unreliable boats or mistreatment during trafficking.
IDPs, refugees, minority groups and urban poor are mainly the victims of the human right abuses in the country. UNHCR, UNICEF, DRC, NRC, UNDP ROLS, IOM and Save the Children Alliance are among the major actors that either implement directly or provide technical and financial support to the protection activities which are implemented by local partners (LNGOs). Such LNGOs include Haqsoor, CCBRS, Legal Clinic, SHURO-NET, VOSOMWO, GAASHAAN, Deeqa, Heegan, and many others (the list is not inclusive).
Most of the actors interact through the protection working group that meets on monthly basis.
Furthermore the IDP working group provides another forum with more partners like WFP, UNHABITAT, Handicap International, DAN, and many others to addresses general cross sectoral issues (emergency response to IDPs, provision of basic services, addressing malnutrition, assessments/surveys, etc) while protection working group focuses on protection issues.
The concerned line ministries that coordinate protection activities include the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Development, SL-NHRC and the police. MRRR coordinate all issues related with IDPs.
Health Response
UNICEF was supporting ministry of health to contain spread of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD), implement child immunization activities in 4 regional capitals, the establishment of PMTCT services in Somaliland hospitals (2) and MHCS (2), the establishment of therapeutic feeding centers in Berbera and Burao towns to address the problem of malnourished children among the most vulnerable groups such as IDPs, returnees and urban poor. UNICEF is also planning to assist in the construction of 2 storey office space for the Ministry of Health. After assessments, WHO reported that more birth attendants in IDP settlements are not trained and may contribute to the spread of STIs (e.g. HIV/AIDs) and hence WHO is planning to conduct training for these birth attendants working in the IDP settlements in Somaliland. The training will start with 20 birth attendants in Dami settlement.
With HAVOYOCO as the implementing partner, Oxfam GB has recently started an emergency support project for CTCs for about 40,000 households in the poorest quarters of Hargeisa including the IDP settlements. The objective of the project is to contain and reduce the spread of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) in the target areas through improved sanitation and isolation procedures for AWD patients, improved access to clean water and improved public health awareness. This project started in August and is planned to continue until December 2007.
PSI in collaboration with the MOHL has recently started distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLITNS) to the general public and pregnant women and children under 5 in particular through behavior change communications and social marketing of insecticide treated bed nets. The objective is to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality through increased use of LLITNS.
UNFPA is planning to start reproductive health and SGBV response in 6 IDP settlements (e.g. Stadium, Dami, Ayaha I & II, Mohamed Moge and Sheik Nur). This project will deliver medical equipment and train health care workers on reproductive health in 6 MHCs in the 6 IDP settlements to reduce to level of birth-related deaths. As reported malnutrition figures are higher in the IDP settlements of Burao and Berbera, it also advisable to start such activities in these other settlements.
HIV/AIDS in Somaliland.
More people start announcing their HIV/AIDs status in Somaliland despite strong stigmatization associated with this situation. On 18th September 2007, a group of 20 persons (or even more) publicly announced their HIV/AIDS status as reported by the local media (Geeska Africa News Paper). According to this report, it is the first time that a group of people publicly announced their status in Somaliland. Few individuals who expressed their positive status openly suffered humiliating discrimination and stigma like Mr. Olad Dhore Warsame, 61 year old man who died while attempting to change the perceptions on HIV/AIDS. Normally the existence of strong stigmatization related with HIV/AIDs prevents many to announce their status publicly and leads to under-reporting of HIV/AIDS prevalence.
Provided the low awareness levels and the fact that the country is neighboring to countries with high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and significant movement to and from these countries, the risk of contraction of the virus is high.
In September 2005, the Somaliland authorities launched an AIDS Commission – Somaliland National AIDS Commission (SOLNAC) to coordinate activities related to prevention and respond to HIV/AIDs. The overall average prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Somaliland is estimated at 1.4%. In June 2005, the first anti-retroviral therapy (ART) project (implemented by the Ministry of Health) was started. About 200 people are receiving ART drugs freely at the moment with the support of health actors of the UN and NGOs.
UNAIDS funded the facilitation of a HIV/AID Training of Trainers that was conducted on 26th to 30th of August 2007 at Maansoor Hotel in Hargeisa with about 20 participants from all UN agencies (from Somaliland, Puntland and SC Somalia). Apart from delivering the basic practices and concepts in regard to prevention and response to HIV/AIDS, the facilitation skills needed for a trainer was also the main focus of this training. The objective of this training was to create pool of trainers in HIV/AIDS throughout Somalia/Somaliland to strengthen the capacity of the UN agencies to conduct more training on HIV/AIDS in the field.
Disaster Preparedness.
NERAD officially shoulders the responsibility of leading the coordination of emergency response and disaster preparedness in Somaliland during this quarter. On 19th September 2007, a short ceremony was organized at NERAD compound whereby UNICEF and Oxfam GB handed over a well-furnished conference hall to NERAD. As part of capacity building support, OXFAM GB constructed the conference hall whereas UNICEF furnished it fully as standard conference hall.
In the same ceremony, the Minister of Planning and Coordination, Hon. Ali Ibrahim, handed over the emergency/humanitarian coordination issues to NERAD as this is the government institution mandated to coordinate and manage emergency response and disaster preparedness.
Approved through parliamentary vote in August 2007, NERAD (the National Environmental Research and Disaster Preparedness) appealed for humanitarian actors in Somaliland in supporting the capacity of this institution to be able coordinate effectively the emergency preparedness and response due to meager resources of Somaliland authorities. Following are some of the priority areas this institution asks for support. 1) The Establishment of Emergency Response Plans at National, regional and district levels (for 6 months), 2) Training NERAD staff in Emergency Preparedness and development of contingency plans at all levels, 3) The establishment of an Emergency Response Fund (cash or kind), 4) The establishment of nationally owned early warning and information management system (a pilot project to be initiated), 5) Support in operational costs (staff mobility, communications, etc) and staffing (e.g. secondment of qualified staff, etc.), 6) Fire fighting interventions. No firefighting mechanism in place in the whole country and 7) Establishment of Diploma level training and research institute on dry-lands to prevent and mitigate desertification.
III. COORDINATION ISSUES
Coordination Mechanisms in Place.
The current coordination mechanisms in place consist of sectoral coordination forums such as education, health and water which are led by the line Ministries like the Ministry of Education, Min. of Health and Water respectively. Cross-sectoral coordination forums include the emergency/humanitarian coordination forum led by NERAD, the IDP forum led by MRRR, and protection by the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Family and Social Development. Most meetings occur on monthly basis. Each line Ministry is supported by key lead agencies/organizations (UN agencies and INGOs) in each of the sectors indicated. For instance, OCHA supports MRRR and NERAD (formerly Ministry of Planning) in coordination of delivering coordinated humanitarian response to IDPs and to communities affected by the disasters (floods, droughts, etc).
United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office Established in Hargeisa. During this reporting period, the United Nations Coordinator’s Office was established in Hargeisa to coordinate the activities of UN agencies in collaboration with Somaliland authorities (mainly with the Ministry of Planning) in development and recovery issues especially the implementation of United Nations Transitional Plan (UNTP) for 2008-2009 while the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will be focusing on humanitarian issues in coordination with humanitarian actors and Somaliland authorities (mainly with NERAD and MRRR).
A Workshop for Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) 2008 organized in Hargeisa and priority needs for major humanitarian issues identified for Somaliland.
Organized by OCHA on 20th August 2007, the participation of 2008 CAP4 consultation workshop in Hargeisa was considerably high as 67 persons attended including UN (33), INGOs (9), Somaliland Authorities (12), LNGOs (10) and EC (1). As humanitarian needs and priorities are discussed in detail in the CAP 2008 consultations, 3 pre-consultation meetings were held before the workshop to allow enough participation of Somaliland line ministries, NGOs and UN agencies. The specific objectives of such consultation was to agree on most likely context and humanitarian consequence for Somaliland in 2008, define priorities for humanitarian needs and maintain a long-term perspective on humanitarian objectives including building of local capacities in responding to emergencies.
Following are among the priority humanitarian needs for major thematic areas which CAP 2008 should focus:- Protection Priorities –protection response mechanisms improved; increased Community Mobilization on prevention of SGBV and other human rights violations; increased community participation in planning and implementation of protection-related projects using bottom-up approaches; improved coordination of stakeholders and groups working in protection, gender, FGM, etc; improved linkages and synergies (gender, FGM, etc. groups); establish emergency strategy (contingency planning) with clear roles and responsibilities (for floods, fire outbreaks, etc.)
Health priorities – improve capacity of MOHL to respond to health emergencies; improve sanitation and hygiene conditions of urban areas; increase assistance/attention to mental health; Flexibility needed in resource allocation in emergencies by SL government; increase resource allocation to respond to disease outbreaks; assist MOHL in creating new generation of doctors to prevent future crisis in health sector. Education priorities - CAP to support education for most marginalized groups (eg, IDPs, urban poor, minority groups,rural communities); increase emergency education (alternative basic education in IDP and minority settlements, mobile schools in pastoral communities); increase resources for teacher motivation (incentives); integrated approaches to improve access to education; income-generating activities (e.g. skills training and livelihood support) can increase access to education; increase education activities in eastern regions (e.g. Sool and Sanaag Region).
4 CAP, as a fund raising tool, provides a framework for donor funding for the humanitarian issues and Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP). Water/Sanitation priorities – improve access to safe drinking water for IDPs, minority groups and urban poor through construction of more water points; improve hygiene of water sources (esp. open water sources such as dams); increase community awareness on water born diseases; government to show commitment to implement Public Private Partnership (PPP) to improve service delivery for water supply systems; improve capacity of water agencies and Water Ministry to implement PPP systems; nutrition cluster to conduct nutrition assessments in the IDP settlements (nutrition assessment was done).
Shelter/housing – land provision for IDPs to be accelerated; UNHABITAT, Municipality and MRRR to continue negotiating with land owners on behalf of landless IDPs; improve harmonization of permanent shelter design to avoid confusion of beneficiaries; improve layout of crowded IDP settlements to reduce fire outbreaks.
Livelihoods and environmental conservation – Livelihood support for IDPs, minority groups, urban poor and drought-weakened pastoralists (e.g. restocking for pastoral destitute households, micro-credit, skills/vocational training for urban poor, IDPs, minority groups); early recovery and disaster risk reduction projects to address environmental degradation instead of waiting to respond to frequent disasters (community-based grazing reserves, water harvesting interventions, rehabilitating flood-prevention structures); improved coordination by agencies and government institutions and joint programming to be encouraged as impact of individual agencies/organizations will have extremely limited impact; Land Tenure Policies/Laws to be established to address the increasing environmental problems/issues; awareness rising of local communities and more training on environmental issues (water harvesting, environmental management, etc.)
Disaster preparedness - Coherent/joint efforts to address the capacity of NERAD; implementing agencies/ organizations to build capacity of relevant line ministries to respond to emergencies; build up a national cross-cutting emergency and contingency planning. United Nations Transitional Plan for 2008-2009.
On 20th August 2007, UNITED NATIONS with all its mandated agencies launched a common two- year development plan called UNITED NATIONS TRANSITIONAL PLAN (UNTP) for 2008-2009 to address the development and recovery needs of Somaliland as outlined in the Recovery and Development Programme (RDP), a five year development plan (2007—2011), which was developed through the Joint Needs Assessment Consultations conducted by the UN, World Bank and Somaliland Partners. The UNTP for 2008-2009 addresses the following five overall strategic outcomes: -
1. Key Somaliland institutions administer and manage core government functions.
2. Local governance contributes to peace and equitable priority service delivery.
3. Improved security and protection under the law for all.
4. Children, youth and vulnerable groups have increased and more equitable access to quality education and health services.
5. Vulnerable and marginalized groups have improved sustainable food security and economic opportunities.
These strategic outcomes prioritized in the UNTP are intended to contribute to the realization of the overall objectives outlined in the RDP which are: - (i) Deepening peace, improving security and establishing good governance; (ii) Investing in people through improved social services; and (iii) Creating an enabling environment for private sector-led growth to expand employment and reduce poverty. The RDP provides a framework for donor funding for the period of 2007-2011.
The UNTP was prepared through consultations with international agencies/organizations including NGOs, Somaliland authorities and other local partners. The last consultation workshop was conducted on 8th and 9th September 2007. However, there are still further consultations to be carried out between Somaliland authorities and UN agencies to complete the annual work plan for 2008.
Aid Coordination in Somaliland.
Ministry of National Planning and Coordination was leading the establishment of better Aid Coordination in Somaliland. On 3rd July 2007, a team consisting of IASC (represented by UNOCHA), UN agencies (UNICEF, UNESCO PEER and RC Office) , Donors (represented by EC), NGO Consortium (represented by DRC) and Ministry of Planning & Coordination discussed on Aid Coordination Issues between Somaliland and International Community at Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa. The main issue of discussion was the Aid Coordination Mechanisms and Structures (principles, structures and mechanisms for Somaliland AID Coordination) proposed by the Minister of Planning and Coordination, Ali Ibrahim and his team.
Surveys and Assessments.
During this quarter the inter-agency post-Gu assessment lead by FSAU/FAO in collaboration with Somaliland authorities was finalized and presented to the end users including the Somaliland authorities, UN agencies and NGOs. Apart from the determination of the food security status of the country, the assessment includes useful information on nutrition trends and useful recommendation on most likely interventions that will assist these communities recover better from the droughts in the recent past.
The nutrition cluster finalized a nutrition assessment in IDP settlements and the most vulnerable groups in major towns of Somaliland. The report of the assessment is expected to be disseminated soon. The preliminary findings of the survey were presented to the humanitarian actors.
FAO has finalized a baseline assessment on gums and resins in eastern regions of Somaliland and final report is expected to be shared in the coming weeks.
In collaboration with UNAIDs and local partners (LNGOs), International Organization for Migration (IOM) is conducting HIV Hot-Spot Mapping targeting the most vulnerable sectors of the community including transactional sex workers/clients, truck drivers, seafarers, IDPs, refugees, etc. Collecting data at strategic locations throughout the country including Hargeisa, Berbera, and Togwajale (both sides of the border), the expected output is a summary report (both in Somali and English) with recommendations for WHO HIV/AIDs surveillance survey planned for 2008. At the end of this mapping exercise in December 2007 (as planned), there will be a validation workshop in order to finalize the findings and recommendations in this report. OCHA WEBSITE for Somalia.
In late 2006, OCHA Somalia/Somaliland launched a website (http://ochaonline.un.org/somalia) for the sake of information sharing and networking for the different humanitarian actors. This website provides a medium in which different humanitarian actors can post and reflect their activities (situational reports, 3Ws, cluster updates, plans, etc).
IV. HUMANITARIAN ACCESS (POLITICAL/SECURITY)
Somaliland has been stable and peaceful during this reporting period despite the political unrest in the South. However, for the second time some clashes and tensions that started in September 2007 are reported in Lasanod areas of Sool region between Puntland and Somaliland administrations. In mid April 2007, armed clashes were also reported in Dahar area of Sanaag region.
Contested areas of Sool and Sanaag regions provide source for tensions and potential unrest for Somaliland and Puntland which can lead to humanitarian crisis for the civilians. Access problems were reported by major humanitarian actors including the UN and INGOs although both administrations agreed on unimpeded access to the people in need of humanitarian assistance.
Due to these tensions between Puntland and Somaliland, the security phase of these regions remained phase IV as all other regions of Somaliland are in phase III according to a circular from UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL issued on 26th April 2007.
This quarterly bulletin is compiled by UNOCHA Hargeisa in collaboration with humanitarian actors operating in Somaliland. For further information, inputs or comments please contact Abdulkarim H. Ali at husseinali@un.org, or abdulkarim.ali@undp.org. All references to Somaliland pertain to the self-declared but unrecognized Republic of Somaliland.
I. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Finalized on January 2007, FAO/FSAU led Post- Deyr assessment indicated above normal rains in most parts of Somaliland leading to improved livelihoods through increased availability of water and pasture. Improved body conditions combined with Haji (pilgrimage) season improved livestock prices enhancing the purchasing power. However, due to reported rift valley, meat and livestock export has been stopped right after the Haj by Arab countries. Unknown camel disease has significantly reduced herd sizes of many families throughout the country with no indication of containing it. The disease was a cross-border disease, as the same disease was reported in Ethiopian Somali region before it was patterned in Somaliland.
According to FSAU, crop assessment in Somaliland indicated higher crop harvest; about 147% of the Post War Average (PWA: 1998-2006) and the highest after 2003 and 2005 with sorghum being the dominant cereal crop (88%). Maize the second cereal crop cultivated.
FSAU Post Deyr nutrition survey also indicated alert malnutrition rates for under 5 children with Severe Acute Malnutrition of 0.7% in Nugal valley to 1.9% in Hawd livelihood zone. The Global malnutrition ranges from 8.1% in Hawd livelihood zone (South of Hargeisa) to 9% in Sool Plateau. All malnutrition figures showed improvement compared to the 2002 figures. Although from alert to serious nutrition conditions are reported, the condition is far better than the nutritional situation in the South and Central Somalia. In most cases, considerable correlation of malnutrition with ART and diarrhea diseases was reported.
Water born Diarrhea outbreaks was widely reported in many parts of the country (see the health section for details) after the Deyr rains. Root causes of water born diseases are believed to be related with poor quality of the drinking water which is mainly open water sources.
The good Deyr season (November-December 2006) allowed rural communities (both pastoral and agropastoral) smooth transition to the next rainy (Gu) season (April-June 2007) without drought symptoms in the long dry (Jilaal) season (December 06-March 07).
In March 2007, Gu rains started earlier than expected in Somaliland but shortly lived. These rains, most of which were received in western parts of the country (Awdal and Hargeisa regions), have improved pasture and water resources. If such good to normal rains are received in this Gu season, the rural livelihoods particularly pastoral communities are expected to have better post-drought recovery including building up of assets and improved resilience to shocks.
According to Somalia Food Security Emergency Release of FEWSNET released on 23rd March 2007, the recent climate outlook for the Greater Horn of Africa including Somalia predict the likelihood of near normal Gu rains (April to June 2007) which is expected to sustain further livelihood recovery. FSAU Post-Deyr forecast better livestock build up as there is high kidding rate expected for sheep/goats in April and May 2007 due to high conception in October-December 2006 while medium to low calving is expected for the camels due to low conception during October-December 2006.
The FEWSNET release, however, estimated possible floods in the riverine areas of the Southern Somalia. There are reports of widespread locust in some parts of Awdal Region in March 2007 due to recent rains. Larva infestation of the locust was widely reported in the coastal areas and now the flying stage of the locust has reached Borama town crossing the Ethiopian border. Due to lack of local capacity and preparedness to deal with locust outbreaks, there is a need to develop networks with the regional locust bodies/companies that can assist Somaliland during the time of infestation.
As chronic food insecurity is pre-dominant problem in most rural livelihoods, assistance targeting at improving resilience to shocks and supporting the productive assets and infrastructure can contribute to further livelihood recovery of the communities. Building the local capacities in preparedness and responsiveness to disasters like droughts and floods can assist in coping with natural shocks which are becoming more frequent in the recent years.
II. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
There is a strong presence of humanitarian actors in Somaliland. This allows relatively good coverage of assistance to those in need except some areas contested between Somaliland and Puntland in Sool and Sanaag regions.
Emergency Response to flood affected communities.
Flood response was coordinated to affected communities in early January 2007 as late December rains caused floods that damaged and disrupted the water system for Zeila and Tokoshi, two coastal towns which are about 7 Kms apart from each other. The road between Zeila and Tokhoshi, Asha Ado to Zeila were badly damaged due to the heavy downpours. Ministry of National Planning and Coordination with the support of OCHA organized two missions to the area. The first mission including Minister of planning, minister of water, Minister of Interior, WFP, DRC, UNICEF went to Zeila in the late December in order provide emergency assistance to the affected households and to assess the general situation. About 625 households in Zeila and Tokoshi received emergency assistance including food, water, and non-food items from Government, WFP, UNICEF and DRC.
The other mission consisting of technical experts in water and roads from UNICEF, UNDP, UNDP went in January in order to come up with technical report on the damage on water and road infrastructure with recommendations on how best to rehabilitate the damaged infrastructure. UNICEF will address the damages on the water system while UNHCR is planning to support the road infrastructure in the area since these roads are used for the repatriation of the refugees from Djibouti. UNHCR announced the allocation of about $ 100,000 for road rehabilitations in the area. Lack of local implementing partners is reportedly contributing to delays of the rehabilitation.
Furthermore, efforts to rehabilitate infrastructure (schools, MCHs, Hospitals, etc.) destroyed by floods have been ongoing in Burao town. Rehabilitation of the infrastructure particularly the flood protection dykes is an important remedial and protective support as Gu rains are approaching and can inflict similar damages.
Coordination on IDPs
Although controversial due to lack of IDP profiling in Somaliland, about 40,000 displaced persons are found in within poor living conditions—often in urban areas with inadequate water and sanitation and lacking income opportunities and access to basic social service. Due to unrest in the South and Central Somalia, the above number may not be in the context since there is a new influx of displaced people coming to Hargeisa and other towns of Somaliland.
Emergency support to IDPs from South and Central Somalia
Based on the assessment report presented jointly by UNHCR, MRRR and group of LNGOs (CCBRS, VOSOMWO, GASHAN & SOYDA) on 26th February to IDP Working Group, 160 newly displaced households of whom 58% are children while more 50% are females, arrived Hargeisa from December 2006 to February 2007 following renewed fighting in the South and Central Somalia. The survey was concerned with only poor households from South and Central Somalia and not hundreds who flee through commercial airlines as these were better off households. Originating from Mogadishu, Hiiraan, Merca, Baidao and other areas in SC Somalia, most of these displaced people are found in Dami, Statehouse, Stadium, Sheikh Nur and Mohamed Moge settlements. Other reports indicate more new arrivals even after this report not only in Hargeisa but in other major towns (e.g. Burao and Berbera). Reason for migration was combination of factors including general conflict, inter clan conflict and floods. Reportedly these people are in desperate conditions with no means of access to income and lack of clan support and protection which resulted in ending up in begging and child labor activities. As recommended in the reports, these people needed emergency assistance such as food, shelter, utensils and other types of humanitarian assistance like protection, sanitation, and water. 16 households who were recently displaced by intra/inter fighting within Somaliland or on Ethio-Somali border were also identified during the assessment. Including these 16 households, 176 households were reported to be in dire of assistance.
After several consultations between Humanitarian Agencies and Somaliland Authorities, finally the 176 households received the intended assistance on 25th March 2007 successfully. There was a government concern that host communities may be hostile against these displaced if only the displaced are targeted, however; after community mobilization, host communities was hospitable to the process. WFP, UNICEF, and UNHCR provided food, family kits (utensils, blankets, plastic sheets, etc.) and emergency shelter (plastic sheets) respectively. The delivery of the assistance was supported by MRRR, Somaliland Police and 5 national NGOs that were operational in the 5 distribution sites.
Nevertheless, apart from addressing immediate humanitarian needs, finding durable solutions for such people will remain a challenge to the government and humanitarian actors in the country. Now IDP working group should assess the IDP needs in the other towns (Burao, Berbera, etc) as more displaced people from South and Central Somalia are coming to those areas. These people will need humanitarian assistance as well.
The Joint Programming for Displaced Communities.
Established in October 2006, and co-chaired by OCHA and MRRR1, Taskforce for Joint Programming for Displaced Communities in Hargeisa meets on weekly basis. The taskforce consists of 4 clusters; namely, basic services, protection, livelihoods and land & infrastructure with UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP/RRIDP and UNHABITAT as the lead agencies respectively.
Each cluster forms a sub-group consisting of key UN and Government actors in the respective thematic sectors. The taskforce for joint programming was basically intended to response to the need of improving current conditions of the IDP settlements and of getting durable solutions particularly for the selected settlements (Statehouse, Stadium and Dami as some of them are temporary settlement like Statehouse and Stadium and government is planning to relocate to more permanent settlements in the near future) in order to jointly address and propose durable solutions for the displaced communities in Hargeisa as a pilot programme. Specifically the intends to achieve following strategic objectives: - Strategic Objective 1: Improved living conditions in the three selected settlements in Hargeisa (Statehouse Stadium and Dami with Statehouse being the priority for relocation).
Strategic Objective 2: Large-scale resettlement and reintegration of displaced in Hargeisa. Strategic Objective 2a: Develop Mechanisms to promote spontaneous resettlement of individual households within Hargeisa enhancing self-help decision making of the households Strategic Objective 2b: Guided Resettlement to areas outside Hargeisa Different clusters developed budgeted proposals for the three selected settlements in line with the above strategic objectives with capacity building for local authorities as cross-cutting theme across the above strategic objectives. However, to determine proportion of the target communities who will choose organised resettlement, return to areas of origin or integrate within Hargeisa town based on their individual household choices, a survey will be conducted in early April to enhance planning. The expected outcome of this joint programming exercise is to have joint strategy document for IDPs which will be shared with the wider stakeholders and finally be used for fund raising to implement to proposed interventions/activities.
However, since the process is ongoing, different cluster groups continue their inputs to finalize the pending issues in order to assist compilation of joint strategy paper.
Due to the fact that Hargeisa water supply system is already overstretched, the major constraints include lack of water availability in the new sites selected for the resettlement of IDPs who are now living in temporary sites like Statehouse and Stadium. Since land grabbing is a big problem and most land is claimed by private owners, finding land for IDPs is another head ache for the municipality. The combination of the above constraints results in lack of proper resettlement sites and delays in the joint programming process.
Protection/Rule of Law
Due to the peace and stability in Somaliland, there are good number of agencies and/or organizations that are operational in the humanitarian and development assistance for the local communities. Out of these agencies/organizations, UNHCHR, UNDP ROLs, UNICEF, ACTIONAID, DRC, and CARE are involved in the field of protection in collaboration with the relevant line ministries such Ministry of Justice, MRRR and Ministry of Family and Social Development and number of local nongovernmental actors (NGOs, CBOs, etc.). These actors are coordinated under the Protection Working Group (PWG) with UNHCR as the lead agency. Established in February 2006, the major areas of interventions of the PWG group include capacity building for local actors (both government—e.g. training police and judiciary personnel and nongovernment actors like NGOs and CBOs) in SGBV response, gender equality, HR principles, juvenile justice and protection of IDPs and refugees and policy development (e.g. gender policy focusing on FGC, juvenile justice bill, IDP policy, improving customary law responses to rape and sexual assault underway), and assistance to IDPs (legal assistance, profiling, and population movement tracking, etc). This major group consists of specialized sub-groups such Protection Monitoring Network and Population Tracking Movement in order to identify, document and report on the major protection issues and recommend appropriate solutions for future programming and to monitor crisis induced movements and displacements.
There is a growing concern on increased SGBV (The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence) in Somaliland particularly against women and girls in the settlements for displaced communities as recent reports indicated. According to last protection cluster report released in January 2007, which was based on systematic data collection by the members of the protection monitoring NGOs, rape is a common phenomena against women and girls and perpetrators are rewarded to marry to victims rather than punishing them as the rape issues are solved through soft traditional systems. The report indicates the traditional justice system encourages the continuation of the rape since perpetrators are either released with little compensations to the family of the victim or are released after a short term arrest. Both the traditional and state justice systems are soft but on the expense of the rape victims. Sharia rule is believed to be tougher on perpetrators compared to traditional and other secular laws in the country.
To address such problem, UNHCR provides technical and financial support to Hargeisa Legal Clinic in partnership with UNDP Rule of Law (ROLs) to provide legal representation to the victims of SGBV and other types of human rights abuse through the outreach service focusing on IDP settlements (Dami, Statehouse, and Stadium) in order to alleviate protection-related suffering for most vulnerable groups. Implemented by Comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation Services (CCBRS), the other components of the project include development of community-based SGBV prevention and response mechanisms and psychosocial support networks and medical referrals for the victims.
The Population Movement Tracking network monitors overall trends in population movement particularly the crisis-induced movements in order to document and report on the situation and the needs of the displaced.
UNICEF is advocating for the ratification of the child rights conventions by the Somaliland parliament. After approved by the parliament, it is expected to have positive impact on child rights provided that its implementation is reinforced within the national judiciary system.
UNHCR in collaboration with the MRRR and group of national NGOs started IDPs profiling exercise in Burao of which a preliminary assessment was done in early March 2007. This Profiling survey is expected to capture major information needed for the future programming of the IDPs in Burao town. A training for the participating actors will be held before the profiling exercise should start in order for them to be familiarized with formats and interviewing techniques in Burao most probably in the beginning of April 2007.
With the arrival of new UNHCR Protection Officer, Ms. Nyanjagi Ally, replacing the former PO Ms. Vicky Tennant, the meetings of Protection Working Group was re-started in March 2007 after some break of meetings for few months. Protection WG meetings are usually chaired by UNHCR with secretariat support of OCHA.
UBAX Social Development (Local NGO) is carrying out literacy and skills training for 250 women and girls in Dami B, 70% of these are from the minority clans of whom many are FGC practitioners. These women are expected to benefit from awareness rising on FGC, HIV/AIDS, literacy programme and skills training (e.g. cooking, etc.). According to the chair person of this NGO, WFP is expected to support this programme.
Education Response
Considerable inputs have been exerted into education sector as many actors (UN, NGOs, and government) reflect interventions that address education problems as their priorities. Current education interventions range from supporting primary education such as construction of school space, teachers training, provision of education/training materials, school feeding, and development of educational policies and curricula and to supporting initiatives regarding higher education (high schools, universities, vocational/technical schools, etc).. UNICEF, UNESCO-PEER, WFP, UNHCR, UNDP, NRC, SCD, SC-UK, Action AID, CARE, Candlelight, and HAVOYOCO are among the agencies/organizations which are involved in the education sector in collaboration with the Ministry of Education which coordinates educational activities of the country. Specifically, emergency alternative education and School Feeding Programme to disadvantaged groups like IDPs and minority groups is one of the important initiatives which have been appreciated by the communities. WFP and NRC implement such initiatives in the poorest quarters and IDP settlements such as Dami, Sheik Nur, Mohamed Moge (Hargeisa) and Kosar and Yirowe (Burao), Sheik Osman (Borama).
Due to low educational literacy rate in Somaliland/Somalia (about 17.1% for Somalia; 22.1% for males and 12% for females), the needed efforts towards improved access to all school age children are beyond the current capacities and resources.
Water & Sanitation Response
Water and Sanitation activities range from improving access to water for IDPs/returnees and the host communities through construction of water points (Berkads, shallow wells, water kiosks, etc.), improve sanitation of IDP settlements through provision of household latrines and public latrines ( such as school latrines), provision of garbage collection/transport facilities, construction of drainage systems, and capacity building (such as sanitation training to local communities and IDPs, training Water Ministry personnel on water systems management) including the introduction of public private partnership in collaboration with local authorities and business people. The organizations that are involved in this sector include UNICEF, UNHCR, UNHABITAT, ACTIONAID, DRC, and UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Mineral Resources and group of local NGOs specialized in this sector.
Assistance for IDP settlements include provision of piped water through construction of water kiosks and provision of sanitation facilities2 PT for Statehouse, Stadium, Ayah and Aden Suleiman settlements by UNDP, UNICEF with local partners. For instance, UNICEF provided 100 slabs to 100 hhs in Statehouse and is planning to provide more as the local committee have requested about 700 slabs. The same agency provided 48 households with slabs in Dami and is planning to provide 60 hhs with slabs according UBAX Social Development, the implementing partner of UNICEF in Dami B.
Although there are sanitation activities such as the provision of household latrines and community awareness in some of the IDP settlements, there are still many IDP households that need such services. For instance, 15 May is an IDP settlement in Burao town with IDP population from South and Central Somalia which did not receive such sanitation assistance while more IDP households in other settlements need such assistance.
Health and Nutrition Response
WHO and UNICEF are the main actors that support Somaliland authorities, particularly the Ministry of Health in health response and delivery of health services. Core activities include improve health service delivery, establish system of quality drug supplies and equipment, improving quality laboratory services, strengthening primary health care through capacity building and WHO BDN strategy. UNAIDS, UNHCR, WFP ad UNDP are among other actors in this sector. Current healthrelated interventions of these agencies includes establishment of improved HIV/AIDs surveillance, increase of health personnel, institutional feeding in order to improve the nutritional status of the most vulnerable groups (e.g. inpatients in TB and HIV/AIDs wards, children in orphanage centers, etc.) and support health infrastructure such as MCHs.
Apart from wide coverage of polio campaigns for 5U children, after reported cases of polio in Togdheer and Sool late last year, the health cluster responded to diarrhea outbreaks in wide areas including Togdheer and Awdal regions mostly after the Deyr rains. Diarrhea outbreak was widely reported in December and in early January in about 30 villages of Togdheer region while Tokoshi, Zeila and Lawyoado of Awdal region were among the affected areas. Excessive diarrhea was reported in Burao as well in March 2007, a time when diarrhea outbreaks were epidemic in South and Central Somalia. Due to availability of medical stocks and prevailing accessibility, the response to and control of diarrhea was timely and effective with few deaths reported (the highest death tall was 21 cases for u5 children in December 2006).
Repeated polio eradication campaigns were carried out in the country (e.g. National Immunization Day started on 18th February and ended on 25th February 2007) after reports of polio cases in Sool and Togdheer regions (about 112,000 children aged less than five years were immunized in Togdheer and Sool regions of Somaliland during campaigns carried out in January). WHO is planning to Save Motherhood Initiative jointly with UNFPA and UNICEF.
Due to reported high malnutrition rates in Burao and Berbera IDPs, supplementary feeding of undernourished children for Burao and Berbera (Jamalaye) IDPs by WFP and UNICEF is ongoing. Specifically for IDP settlements, UNICEF and WHO support MCHs in provision of medical supplies and training medical staff for displaced communities. Nutrition Cluster (FSAU, UNICEF, ICRC, etc) is planning to carry out nutrition assessments in the IDP settlements in the major towns (Burao, Berbera and Hargeisa)
Significant efforts are still needed to improve equitable access to health services for general public and the most vulnerable groups in particular.
Shelter Response for IDPs
As per the recommendation of IDP WG, UNHCR provided plastic sheets on 27/03/07 for 3 families whose shelter was burnt down in Statehouse settlement. Two more IDP femaleheaded households lost their shelter due to fire on 30th March 2007 in the same settlement. Similar assistance is needed for these two households.
UNHABITAT together with other partners like HAVAYOCO and WFP assists IDPs in Statehouse in the construction of permanent shelter (low cost housing) while UNHCR provides emergency shelter for IDPs in temporary settlements like Statehouse. UNHABITAT is completing 172 low cost houses in Ayaha IDP settlement in early April. This figure represents 51% of the target. Hence, UNHABIT is planning to rise funds to complete the target of the project which is to construct 340 house units. UNHCR is planning to provide emergency shelter to most vulnerable households among the IDP settlements including the newly displaced from South and Central Somalia. However, since it is the rainy season, the committees of the settlements Japanese-Funded Law Cost Housing Project implemented by UNHABITAT in collaboration with WFP and local partners in Ayah II (Hargeisa).
Major Gaps in the interventions for IDPs include: -Lack of IDP profiling to know the exact number and the priority needs of the displaced communities are considered major gaps. Other gaps include lack of livelihood support interventions like micro-credit, vocational/skills training, lack of collective garbage collection systems, and less hygiene and sanitation awareness activities. Good interventions, which need to be extended to more settlements, include school feeding programme and Alternative Basic Education Programme that are implemented by WFP and NRC respectively. Economic Recovery & Livelihoods.
Economic recovery activities range from support to agricultural sector (e.g. rehabilitation of irrigation canals, provision of farm inputs, capacity building to relevant line ministries such Ministry of Agriculture etc.), restocking drought-weakened pastoral households, environmental mitigation activities (e.g. soil and water conservation), rehabilitation of water sources and income generation activities (e.g. beekeeping, revolving fund to IDPs and returnee concentrated areas) to livestock health and vaccination activities. FAO, UNDP, UNHCR, PENHA, DRC, GAA, DRC, Candlelight, ADO and others are involved in this category of activities (refer for WWW3 matrix for further details)(3 WWW stands “Who What Where”.) UN-EU-Government Coordination JNA-Somaliland Partnership workshop in Hargeisa in January 2007.
JNA-Somaliland Partnership workshop started in Hargeisa on 19th of Jan 07 leading to 3 days discussions between donors, UN, EU and government. The issue of discussion was on the Country Strategy Paper. Local papers called it JNASomaliland Partnership and it has led to agreement on the Somali Reconstruction and Development Framework (RDF) in which the international community will support Somaliland administration in peace building and good governance, improvement of social services, and creation of poverty reduction environment with the support of UN, EU member states and Norway according agreed RDF.
UNTP Workshop Held in Hargeisa in March 2007.
With the participation of a UNCT delegated team, a
consultation workshop for the United Nations
Transitional Plan was held on 24th March 2007 at
Maansoor Hotel. Chaired by the Minister of National
Planning and Coordination, the issues discussed
included:-
* Presentation on the UN Transitional Plan
purpose, scope and process
* Presentation of key strategic priorities within
each outcome and
* Thematic issues such as
a) Institutional capacity-building,
b) Rule of law and security,
c) Education,
d) Local governance for service delivery,
e) Health,
f) Livelihoods and food security
This plan covers 2008-2009 in order to start a new phase of UN developmental engagement as per the recommendations of RDF.
Surveys and Assessments.
A number of survey (assessment) reports are available and/or ongoing with different agencies and organizations ranging from FSAU Post Gu/Deyr assessments including nutrition updates, UNICEF MICS (Multiple Indicator Survey), ongoing HIV/AIDs Surveillance methodologies and partners(UNAIDS), feasibility study on child sponsorship, population tracking reports (UNHCR), Burao IDP profiling (ongoing by UNHCR), (refer WWW matrix for more information) and Nutrition Assessment of IDP settlements (FSAU) OCHA WEBSITE for Somalia.
In late 2006, OCHA Somalia launched a website (http://ochaonline2.un.org/somalia) for the sake of information sharing and networking for the different humanitarian actors. This websites provides a medium in which different humanitarian actors can post and reflect their activities (situational reports, 3Ws, cluster updates, plans, etc).
III. HUMANITARIAN ACCESS (POLITICAL/SECURITY)
Somaliland has been peaceful & stable despite dynamic political situations in the south and central Somalia during the reporting period. However, Humanitarian Access to contested areas in Sool and Sanaag is yet limited.
Intra clan fighting in the Ethio-Somaliland border involving high casualties was a concern for the government and general public as the same sub-clans that were fighting out there are living together in Somaliland. Public protests were held in Hargeisa against this sub-clan fighting on 20th February 2007 as the wounded were received in Buroa and Hargeisa hospitals for treatment. Government delegations, MPs, member of opposition parties and traditional elders went to the area of conflict to facilitate reconciliation. Now peace is expected to replace hostilities after a delegation of about 52 members from the two sub-clans signed a peace deal in Jijiga, the capital of Somali Region in Ethiopia, in late March 2007 with the mediation of Ethiopian government (Source: Local media and BBC). Mainly conflicts among pastoral and other rural communities groups are natural resource-based like competition for water, pasture and/or farmlands and are solved by agreements by traditional leaders. Car Accidents.
NOTES
1 MRRR stands for Ministry of Rehabilitation,
Reintegration and Reconstruction.
Beneficiary (left) being verified by the
distribution monitors of UNHCR (middle)
and MRRR (right)
Beneficiaries receive assistance package after
verification.
2 car accidents in 3 days (one on 11th February and
the other on 13th February 2007) were involved in
the injury of 3 UN staff, (one national and two
international) during a polio eradication campaign. 3
of them were medically evacuated, through airlifting,
to Djibouti (one of them was taken to Paris later on
for surgery). The two accidents were of similar
nature whereby the tires of the vehicles went off,
mainly due to lack of car maintenance. Safety
procedures regarding using rented cars needs to be
improved. UN department for Safety and Security
recommended adopting better safety standards for
renting private cars to ensure the condition of rented
cars is fit and road worthy before traveling.
Above normal Deyr (Oct-Nov) rains were reported in most parts of the country resulting in improved livelihoods of the rural communities through increased availability of water and pasture. Improved livestock conditions combined with Haj 1season led to improved livestock prices, which in turn is enhancing purchasing power. Milk availability was reportedly high in most parts of the country, which is supposed to have positive impact on nutrition of children. Nevertheless, without having enough good seasons in the recent past in order to recover from the effects of the previous droughts that reduced the assets of the community particularly livestock for pastoral groups, chronic food insecurity prevails in many pastoral livelihoods (e.g. eastern regions like Sool, Sanaag, and Togdheer). An intervention addressing the root causes of food insecurity, improving the stability and resilience of the livelihoods and reducing risk of future vulnerabilities will be important for such communities.
On the other hand, torrential rains caused emergency condition for many households in different parts of the country like Burao town and Odweine district of Togdheer region, Garadag, El-Afweine and Dararweine areas of Sanaag region, Sheik district of Sahil Region and Zeila and Tokoshi of Awdal region. Emergency assistance was delivered to such households in various areas (details of the response are covered under the title “Coordination on flood response”).
Apart from causing human death (about 15 death cases most of them in Sanaag region were reported), floods blocked roads impeding accessibility to the neighborhoods and markets, which, in turn, negatively affects food supplies. In addition, floods led to livestock death (e.g. 10,95 shoats were reportedly killed by rains in Sanaag region alone), destruction of farm yields and other agricultural assets (e.g. destruction of 112 farms and 1500 meters of irrigation canal, 12 water pumps, etc. were destroyed in Sheik district alone), and damages of water sources (e.g. Birkeds, Boreholes). Furthermore, destruction of infrastructure including the sanitation facilities was enormous in Burao town leading to high risk of disease outbreaks.
Rehabilitation of the damaged public infrastructure (schools, MCHs, Hospitals, Sanitation Facilities, etc), restoring/rehabilitating productive farms and restocking of the pastoral households that lost their livestock can be among appropriate responses after the rains. A Nutrition assessment in Burao town and other flood-affected areas was recommended to evaluate the impact of the floods in order to guide timely food security interventions.
Nutrition Cluster (UNICEF, WHO, WFP, FAO/FSAU, SRCS and Ministry of Health) conducted a nutrition survey (using 30x30, WT/HT, and MUAC for 6-59 months old) in Hawd livelihood (South of Hargeisa) with population of 33850 (WHO 2005) from 15th to 19th November. This nutrition assessment revealed a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) of 8.1% (some improvement compared to 8.8% in 2002) while Severe Acute Malnutrition is 1.9% which is in alert situation and no Odoema case was reported according to preliminary findings presented by FSAU and UNICEF on 29/11/06. The survey covered 945 children (6—59 months old) from 475 households from 30 different villages.
Considerable correlation of malnutrition with ART (17.1%) and diarrhea diseases (15.8%) was reported. Immunization coverage was 97.6% and 34.5% for Polio and Measles respectively while the vitamin A supplementation coverage was about 36.2% in the surveyed areas.
The FSAU led Post Deyr ‘06/’07 Food Security Assessment commenced in Somaliland on 13th December with 2 teams consisting of five government line ministries, WFP, VETAID, GAA, and PENHA, to evaluate the performance of Deyr rains and the situations of the pastoral livelihoods in the country. According to FSAU field staff, the situation seems to be above normal for areas visited with improved pastoral livelihoods. The analysis of data is going on and the preliminary results are expected in early January 2007.
FAO/FSAU-led Post Gu/Karan 06 crop harvest assessment was conducted in Somaliland from 21st Nov. to 5th Dec 2006 with the participation of FEWS NET, MoA, and ADO. Covering only agro-pastoral livelihood zones of the country—mainly Hargeisa, Awdal and Togdheer regions (e.g. Gabiley, Hargeisa, Borama, Baki, Dila, Odweine, Burao and Sheik districts), the objective of the assessment was to determine the overall performance of the Gu/Karan 2006 season in terms of cereal crop harvest estimate in Somaliland. According to the report, the area under cultivation for this year was estimated at 35,040ha—85% and 15% for sorghum and maize respectively. Gabiley district of Hargeisa region is the major area (72%) for cultivation followed by combined Borama and Baki districts of Awdal region (18%). Due to normal and above normal Gu/Karan rains in most agro-pastoral areas of Somaliland (mainly Awdal and Hargeisa region), the total cereal harvest in this year was estimated at 25020.4MT, which is 147% of the Post War Average (PWA: 1998 – 2005, 17,024MT) and the third highest in almost a decade after 2003 and 2005.
II. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
There is a strong presence of humanitarian actors in Somaliland. This allows relatively good coverage of assistance to those in need.
Coordination on Flood Response
Supported by UN OCHA, the Minister of National Planning and Coordination in collaboration with other line ministers like Minister of public works, Minister of Water & Mineral resources, and NERAD has been coordinating humanitarian response to the flood-affected communities in the country. (Coordination Meeting in Burao—City Plaza Hotel—right after the floods on 20th October 2006).
Different cluster groups are working together to address the humanitarian situation of the flood-affected communities and rehabilitate the destroyed and/or damaged basic infrastructure (health, sanitation, education facilities, roads, flood protection structures, etc.) particularly for Burao and Zeila towns in Togdheer and Awdal regions respectively, Such cluster groups include 1) Shelter/Infrastructure/NFI2 to provide emergency shelter (plastic sheets, blankets, etc) and Non-Food
2 NFI = Non-Food Items. items (utensils) for flood affected communities and to assess and rehabilitate flood protection dykes, damaged schools and roads with the Ministry of Public Works being the lead institution 2) Water/Sanitation/Health is another cluster group to assist the affected communities in Water, Sanitation and Health with UNICEF as the lead agency while 3) food security/Nutrition cluster group assist the flood victims with emergency food in the affected areas with WFP as the lead agency. Each of the groups consists of government authorities, UN agencies, and I/LNGOs. Periodic coordination meetings (weekly or sometimes monthly) are held at the Ministry of National Planning and Coordination. The emergency response carried out by different cluster groups can be summarized in the following sub-headings.
Emergency support to flood affected communities.
Thousands of households became acutely affected with their food supplies and makeshift shelters washed away by the floods. Humanitarian agencies provided emergency assistance to about 3241 households3 (approximately 19446 persons) mainly with the provision of emergency food (cereals, oil, pulses, wheat flour, etc.) and non-food items such as emergency shelter (plastic sheets), blankets and chicken utensils contributed by WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, DRC and Somaliland Authorities. (Food Distribution in Buroa town on 22nd October 2006).
Rehabilitation of Flood Damages on Infrastructure for Burao town. Public infrastructure including schools, roads, airport, and MCHs suffered heavy damages particularly Burao town. The infrastructure-working group with Ministry of public works as the lead institution estimated the damage on infrastructure for Burao town alone to be $ 298,800. After fund raising, about $197,825 (66%) has been contributed 3 These people are found in Burao town (about 1500 hhs), Odweine district in Togdheer region (about 324 hhs), Zeila and Tokoshi in Awdal region (about 750 hhs), Garadag, El-Afweine and Dararweine in Sanaag region (667 hhs), from the government ($71,825) while the remaining $ 102,000 from UN (mainly UNDP $ 45,000 and ILO $ 40,000) and a group of NGOs4 ($17,000). This money is mainly intended for the rehabilitation of 6.3 Km flood protection dyke, construction of water diversion way in the north of Burao town, and direct cash supply to Burao municipalities in order to assist the reconstruction of the flood protection dykes and runoff absorption dams.
The gap in funding for the infrastructure remains about $ 100, 975 (34%) mainly for the repairs of Burao airport (e.g. flood protection structures near the runway, compacting/cleaning the runway, etc.) and rehabilitation of the demolished R.C.C Box culvert near Titanic Hotel. Rehabilitation of Sanitation Facilities in Burao Town.
Some of the emergency water interventions included chlorination of the water sources and removal of stagnant water from public areas. However; there was considerable damage on both public and private sanitation facilities, which needed further attention.
According to assessment made by UNICEF and DRC in late November, the Water and Sanitation needs after flooding in Burao town was estimated to be 147,970 USD out of which 48,790 USD (33%) have been covered by UNICEF and DRC. UNICEF contributed bulk of this amount (43,390 USD).
The response of UNICEF and DRC will focus on rehabilitation of sanitation facilities for IDPs (about 60 households) and public areas (rehabilitation of public latrines for schools and Buroa main hospital).
92,680 US dollars are still needed for other sanitation needs including the emergency sanitation needs of Burao with high health risks for the prisoners after floods exposed sewage to surface. As was reported, UNDP had plans to rehabilitate the Burao prison. Nevertheless; there is emergency need to rehabilitate the latrines of this prison and for this emergency need, the funds need to be processed quicker. The destroyed latrines of Burao girls’ school are not covered so far. Many more IDP households in the three IDP settlements (Kosar, Ali Hussein and Aden Suleiman) of Buroa town will also need further support to rehabilitate their destroyed latrines or new ones. The rehabilitation of the damaged MCHs includes the gap areas in funding.
Coordination on IDPs
Although controversial due to lack of IDP profiling in Somaliland, about 40,000 displaced persons are found in with poor living conditions—often in urban areas with inadequate water and sanitation and lacking income opportunities and access to basic social service. Major current interventions in IDP settlements include: -
Education/Training/Shelter for IDP settlements.
- Provision of school space to all IDP settlements (Hargeisa, Burao and Berbera) including school tens in temporary settlements like Statehouse and Dami by MoE, UNICEF, UNHCR, and NRC.
- Supporting teacher training, provision of education materials, conduction of alternative basic primary education to school children of the most vulnerable households in IDP settlements by UNICEF, NRC, Save the children Alliance, Care International and other local actors. - Construction of permanent shelter (low cost housing) and provision of emergency shelter by UNHABITAT (Ayaha) and UNHCR (Statehouse) respectively.
Water, Sanitation, Nutrition and Health for IDP settlements.
- Provision of piped water through construction of water kiosks and provision of sanitation facilities5 for Statehouse, Stadium, Ayah and Aden Suleiman settlements by UNDP, UNICEF with local partners. One good example of sanitation project is the one implemented by UBAX Social Development (LNGO) with the financial and technical support from UNICEF. This project completed 12 twin latrines in Dami B in October 2006. Each 4 households will use one twin latrine, hence 48 households will benefit from this project in Dami B. For keeping the twin latrines functional and usable for all the time, one household will be responsible for each twin latrines.
- Supplementary feeding of under-nourished children for Burao and Berbera (Jamalaye) IDPs by MoE, WFP and UNICEF. On 7th October 2006, WFP and UNICEF finally started implementation of supplementary feeding programme for Burao and Berbera IDPs after some delays. With above-emergency threshold GAM rates (15.3% and 16.4% respectively for Burao and Berbera), these IDPs were living in very poor conditions and required nutrition interventions.
- School Feeding Programme for school children of IDP settlements and poor quarters of the towns like Dami, Sheik Nur, Mohamed Moge (Hargeisa) and Kosar and Yirowe (Burao), Sheik Osman (Borama) by WFP & MoE.
- Construction of MCHs and provision of medical supplies for displaced communities by UNICEF, WHO, MOH & L and other local partners.
- UNDP RRIDP is planning to carry out integrated interventions for IDPs and other vulnerable groups based on assessment on livelihood-integrated projects that was done earlier by UNDP RRIDP. Some of immediate activities for IDPs and other vulnerable groups will include revolving fund project in which certain vulnerable households will have cash loan to boost their income generation activities.
Major Gaps in the interventions for IDPs include: -Lack of IDP profiling to know the exact number and the priority needs of the displaced communities is considered a major gap. Other gaps include lack of livelihood support interventions like micro-credit, vocational/skills training, lack of collective garbage collection systems, and less hygiene and sanitation awareness activities. There is also a delay in operationalising the newly constructed basic services facilities like MCHs and schools. For instance, as reported, the MHC in Dami IDP settlement was constructed in late 2005 but it has not been functioning up to late 2006.
Good interventions, which need to be extended to more settlements, include school feeding programme and Alternative Basic Education Programme that are implemented by WFP and NRC respectively.
The Joint Programming for Displaced Communities.
As was agreed by the Working Group for displaced communities on 18th September, a Task Force for Joint Programme for displaced communities in Hargeisa has been jointly launched officially in early November during the initiation workshop (sponsored by UNHABITAT) for joint programming at Maansoor Hotel. This joint programme has been jointly launched by the Somaliland Authorities, represented by the Ministry of Repatriation, Resettlement and Reconstruction (RRR), Municipality of Hargeisa and Ministry of Public Works and International Agencies (UN and INGOs consisting of UNHABITAT, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, ILO, FAO, OCHA, WFP, and NRC) with the aim of exerting a joint effort to alleviate suffering and improve living conditions of the displaced communities in 3 settlements (Statehouse, Stadium and Dami) including durable resettlement solutions.
Co-chaired by MRRR and UNOCHA, the taskforce is expected to maximize impact of the humanitarian/recovery response to alleviate the conditions of the displaced/returnees in Hargeisa and to enable the involved humanitarian agencies and Somaliland Authorities mobilise the necessary funds to move towards more durable solutions (incl. durable resettlement with priority for State House and Stadium settlements). The joint programme for displaced communities in Hargeisa is basically guided by the following four strategic objectives;
1) Improved living conditions in 3 temporary selected settlements in Hargeisa. It means promoting living conditions of the displaced communities to certain minimum humanitarian standards (as agreed upon in the framework for engagement) after identification of gaps and priorities of the displaced communities of the 3 selected settlements6
2) Large-scale resettlement and reintegration of displaced in Hargeisa. UN, INGOs, government and local actors will develop integrated strategy for resettlement for the integration of displaced/returnees in the 3 selected settlements enhancing community participation.
3) Develop Mechanisms to promote spontaneous resettlement of individual households within Hargeisa enhancing self-help decision making of the households. The intention is to promote options of durable solutions based on individual household decisions to resettle independently within Hargeisa in order to assist integration of displaced/returnees into town inhabitants.
4) Guided Resettlement to areas outside Hargeisa.
The intention is explore options and preconditions of resettling people in other areas outside Hargeisa and as a result a Pilot Project Proposals regarding this issue will be developed. Budgeted action plans regarding these four strategic objectives will be developed.
The thematic sub-groups (clusters) indicated in the table below, each with a designated lead agency, were formed for the joint programme to come up with programme components in line with the agreed strategic objectives considering 3 phases7 that were envisaged for the joint programme and each cluster focusing on its area of expertise and background.
Protection issues
UNHCR
Each sub-group to address a capacity building strategy for local counterparts (Government and local institutions and committees, community groups and women organisations that work with the displaced people) as crosscutting theme in all strategic objectives. It’s worth mentioning that the role of MRRR was so important in ensuring the participation of government in the process. As a result, many different line ministries are part of JP initiative.
The framework for engagement has been agreed upon while different sub-groups started developing respective programme components (outputs and activities) according to respective strategic objectives. After reviewing current interventions and gaps and priority programme components are identified, sub-groups will assist the facilitation team in the finalization of drafting a Common Work Plan which, after circulation for taskforce’s comments and consultations with the members of IDP working group, will be the main joint programme strategy document. This document, after approved by Somaliland government and UNCT, will be used to raise the necessary funds for the implementation of the programme components envisaged. Although Joint Programming activities have been scaled down during the last weeks of December 2006 due Eid Adha and Christmas, major strategy outputs and milestones are to be finalized during February 2007.
Protection/Rule of Law
Improving conditions of prisoners: On 27th December 2006, the government of Somaliland started demolishing the central prison of Hargeisa replacing it with a new, modern prison capable of hosting 600 prisoners. Equipped with vocational/skills training workshops, office facilities, different sections for different groups (e.g. children, women, men, etc), and in compliance with international standards, the new prison is expected to be complete within 6 months with one Million US Dollars from UK and UNDP.
The old prison was constructed during 1940s during colonial era with the capacity of 250 persons although it was currently containing more than 600 prisoners who are now transferred to other prisons in other towns (Burao, Borama, etc). Human rights groups have several times reported that the conditions of prisons in Somaliland were unacceptable in all standards. UNDP ROLs, UNHCR, UNICEF and Save the Children Alliance support Somaliland administration in Judiciary, security, human/child rights, protection, and rule of law.
Training of Trainers in Protection: UNOCHA in collaboration with DRC, UNHCR, UNDP ROLs and other local partners (e.g. Hargeisa Legal Clinic) conducted a TOT on protection (for IDPs, women, children, etc) with participants from different parts of South and Central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland. The objective of this workshop was to assist and supply a pool of trainers in the field of protection to the agencies involved in the field of protection. These trainers will assist the trainings in the field of protection and can be called by any interested agency that has plans to conduct training in the field of protection.
Protection Monitoring Network operational; Established in October 2006, the Somaliland protection network consisting of government authorities UN, INGOs and LNGOs with the leadership of UNHCR completed the first phase of the protection monitoring network including selection of partners (mostly local partners), development of action plans, training and capacity building of the selected partners and developing methodologies and databases for reporting critical protection issues. The PMN has started recently the second phase, which includes data collection and responses. With 11 members in Somaliland, The PMN convene coordination meetings once in each 6 weeks and produce reports with recommendations of the appropriate required responses for critical protection issues throughout Somaliland. Planned activities include four-month radio and TV programmes together with periodic production of bulletins (brochures) on the protection needs and human rights of the displaced, refugees, etc.
There is a growing concern on increased SGBV (The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence) in Somaliland particularly against women and girls in the settlements for displaced communities as recent reports indicated. Disability persons generally and those from the poorest strata of the population like IDPs in particular suffer social discrimination and exclusion with no or very limited access to basic services and other opportunities like education. This also triggers humanitarian concern as well.
Technically and financially supported by UNHCR a SGBV (Sexual & Gender-Based Violence) and Disability Support Project was started in December with CCBRS8 as the implementing partner. The objective of the project is to alleviate suffering of the victims of SGBV and other human rights violations of the IDPs in the selected settlements (Statehouse, Stadium and Dami—all in Hargeisa) through development of community-based SGBV prevention and response mechanisms and psychosocial support networks for the victims including access to legal service (through legal clinic) and medical care through referral networks.
Although with limited duration9, this project is expected to benefit about 3690 vulnerable persons. The major activities include capacity building of displaced communities (training committees, women association, and normal members of the community), community mobilization and advocacy, provision of outreach psychosocial counseling and support, emergency medical assistance, monitoring, documentation and reporting of SGBV victims, home-based physiotherapy treatment, distribution of orthopedic appliance and other mobile devices.
CCBRS started the implementation of the above project with 3 days training on psychosocial support for 20 members of IDP committees (child protection committee + administrative committee) from Sheik Nur and Dami IDP settlements in December. The trainees are expected to identify disabled people in their respective communities and facilitate addressing the psychosocial support needs of those in need. More training will be conducted for committees from all different IDP settlements in Somaliland (Burao, Berbera, Hargeisa, etc) on the same issue in order to empower communities and help them improve the conditions of the disabled people.
It is worth mentioning that, a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities was approved by the UN on 13 December 2006. This convention will have the same legal status as the other main treaties such as the UN convention on the rights of women. First activities of Hargeisa legal clinic (human rights unit) include community awareness trainings in December with 20 persons from committee members of the displaced communities, CCBRS and Refugee Welfare Centre.
With the support of UNHCR, population Tracking Network consisting of 4 organizations (in Somaliland) was also established in the last quarter of 2006 to monitor and highlight the crisis10-induced population movements like persons displaced from South and Central Somalia due to the recent wars in order to enable humanitarian actors to provide timely response to any influx of such displaced people and/or refugees.
Child Protection Network under process: According to UNICEF Child protection update in October 2006, discussions are underway with Somaliland Lawyers Association as part of lobbying for the passage of the Juvenile Justice Bill and the effort to help create regional child protection network.
New Psychiatric support center opened in Hargeisa: New center for psychosocial support for mentally disabled people was opened in Hargeisa on 6th November. Mentally sick people will be treated in this center. Such services will be extended to Berbera according to Manager of this center. During the opening ceremony, the manager of center reported Khat is a major cause for mental problems in Somaliland. He added that the treated people who recover mentally will be rehabilitated through provision of livelihood support (business, skills trainings, etc.).
About 120 mentally sick persons are expected to benefit from this center with the support of WHO, business people, and ministry of health support. The major constraint reported is lack of psychatriatic doctors in the country.
WFP social support activities: WFP provides food to most vulnerable groups like orphans, In-patients of general and mental Hospitals, TB-Patients, People living with Aids (PLWA), and Handicapped people. In November 2006, a total of 51 metric tons of food aid commodities was distributed to 24 social support institutions with 2114 beneficiaries (Male- 1, 409 & Female- 705) throughout Somaliland (Hargeisa, Borama, Burao, Gabiley, etc).
UN-Government Coordination
The Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee and the United Nations Country Team Meeting in Hargeisa, Somaliland, 21 -23 November 2006. The United Nations Country Team, led by Dr. Eric Laroche, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprising 15 Heads of Agencies or their Representatives, met with the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee [consisting of 13 Ministries], chaired by Hon. Ali Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister of Planning and Coordination, to discuss on a broad range of issues which are pertinent for the development of Somaliland. The two-day intensive discussions focused mainly on issues related to the presence and effectiveness of the UN’s programmes and operations in Somaliland. After through discussion on different activities/intervention of different UN agencies, The Somaliland’s Minister of Planning and Coordination presented five-year development plan which is currently under formulation, with an emphasis on priority areas. He also presented a discussion paper on effective ‘aid coordination’ mechanisms and improved effectiveness of development assistance. Some specific issues and concerns discussed between UNCT and government as proposed by the government included upgrading the decision-making status of the UN offices in Hargeisa. Bruno, the head of UNDP agreed to upgrade and bring higher-level staff to UNDP office in Hargeisa and improved equity of UN programmes across the country as there was general consensus that development/recovery interventions are less in eastern regions (Sool, Sanaag and Togdheer) and that this disparity to be addressed in the future programmes.
UNRC Mr. Eric Laroche called for increased attention to humanitarian access to all populations in need of assistance. He also presented the broader UN reforms towards more integrated assistance and programmes for Somaliland while. At the end of 2 full days’ discussions, a joint Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee and the United Nations Country Team made a Press Release, which urges continuation of such fruitful discussions on regular basis, every six months.
Another two-day planning session between the Somaliland Administration represented by six senior ministers led by the Minister of Planning and Coordination, Hon Ali Ibrahim Mohamed and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) represented by Country Director, Mr Bruno Lambrequins was concluded on 29th November 2006 in Hargeisa. The deliberations led to joint identification of development priorities for the partnership between Somaliland and UNDP for 2007: democratic governance, rule of law and security and poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods; with HIV and AIDS, gender and human rights as cross-cutting themes. Again the UNDP country director announced that UNDP would reinforce its presence in Somaliland in the months to come, with increased delegated authority to the Somaliland office.
Education
Education Development Partnership Developed: During this reporting period, UNICEF and Somaliland Ministry of Education launched an education development partnership initiative with UK department for International Development. The partnership aims to promote capacity development in the education sector within Somaliland Ministry of Education and other educational institutions.
Re-opening Hargeisa Technical School. Hargeisa Technical School was re-opened in December 2006 after being closed for 18 years since of its equipments were looted during the 1988 war against former government. Because of huge investment required for such technical schools, this school was opened very lately compared to other ordinary schools. Save the Children Denmark, Save the children UK and CARE International supported the re-opening of this technical school with EU funding. According to the Minister of Education who spoke on the occasion of the re-opening of the school, SOS is planning to assist the MoE in the reconstruction the Burao Technical School. The minister added that his ministry has the ambitions to create technical schools in all regions of Somaliland.
Consignment of textbooks for secondary school students: UNESCO facilitated the arrival of a consignment of 10,576 books for secondary schools in November; the first time to have textbooks based on Somaliland Curriculum for Secondary School Students and Teachers. UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Education is also conducting a , Survey for higher institutions (needs assessment) in Somaliland. School Feeding Programme: WFP supports schools in low-income areas with feeding programme, which is highly appreciated due to improved attendance and retention of the students. 54 schools throughout the country benefit from such project with NRC and SCD as cooperating partners. In the last month of the year, WFP delivered 108.3 metric tons of food to 15,305 students (31% girls) in the selected schools.
Coordination
Humanitarian Accountability Partnership Meeting at DRC compound on 8th October.
A group of 14 INGOs (CAFOD, CARE International, Christian Aid, DRC, and others) are having global partnership called “Humanitarian Accountability Partnership” with the aim to improve the quality of assistance delivered by the worldwide humanitarian aid system. HAP is in the process of developing standards of accountability for the humanitarian sector based on a system of voluntary certification.
Convening a meeting on 8th October 2006 at DRC compound in Hargeisa, HAP introduced the participants from UN and INGOs with the concepts of HAP. Humanitarian accountability partnership is focusing on the accountability of humanitarian actors to fulfill certain standards with minimum benchmarks. Any humanitarian response system below this benchmark will be considered below the acceptable standards. It was mentioned that most Humanitarian actors are only accountable for donors and governments but are not accountable to beneficiaries since in most cases beneficiary do not have power on the humanitarian agencies when the reverse is true. Although several definitions were given to accountability, one definition was as “accountability is the means by which power is used”. The visiting HAP team was also evaluating how much DRC Somalia/Somaliland has performed against accountability standards as a member of the HAP.
Water & Sanitation
Water and Sanitation Cluster sent a team (including water experts) consisting of Ministry of Water & Mineral Resources (with financial support of UNICEF), JEFA, CCS, PENHA, NERAD, Sanaag Regional Administration, members of the Sanaag community, Sanaag Regional Health Burao, and Ministry of Water to Badhan areas of Sanaag region in order to assess severe water shortages reported in those areas. It was reported that there is a emergency need for water intervention. The team also reported that another borehole in Yube village in the same region was not functional due to technical problems with the water pump.
Health
Bloody and watery Diarrhea was reported in many parts of the country after the Deyr rains. The situation has further deteriorated very quickly when 21 death cases for u5 children were reported in December. Togdheer region was the most affected with 30 villages reporting such disease cases although other regions like Sahil region (Abdal and Mandera areas) reported cases of diarrhea.
Ministry of Health with the support of UN agencies (UNICEF and WHO) and NGOs (Save The Children-UK, HAVOYOCO, Red Crescent, SWISS GROUP) responded by sending 5 teams in order to treat affected children/people, chlorinate drinking water and mobilize communities.
The teams covered about 70 potential villages (most of them in Togdheer region) Contamination of water is believed to be the basic cause of this diarrhea outbreak. For instance, garbage collection site in Mandera village was reported to be near the open water source used by the local people. Rainwater drained the rubbish into the open water source leading to diarrhea outbreak. At the same time, the medical personnel assigned to nearby MCH were not present at the time of the outbreak (they were reportedly arrested later on by the government as punishment).
In October 2006, UNICEF in collaboration with WHO conducted a 3-day training in Hargeisa for 45 journalists11 on how provide better coverage for issues related with Polio Eradication just before the next two polio mass vaccination campaigns across Horn of Africa: 3rd November and 3rd December. In the same month, UNICEF also trained fifty traditional birth attendants from nine IDP settlements in Somaliland in home delivery and setting up of basic maternal health services in the IDP settlements.
III. HUMANITARIAN ACCESS
Somaliland has been peaceful & stable despite dynamic political situations in the south and central Somalia during the reporting period. However, Humanitarian Access to congested areas in Sool and Sanaag is yet limited.
NOTES
1 Millions of Muslims make religious journey to Meka in Saudi Arabia in order the observe one of the 5 religious pillars of Islam.
4 like PENHA, HAVOYOCO, Candlelight, ADO, NERAD, COSONGO, CCS, LAXMAR and private sector (Daalo Airlines and Dahahshil)
5 (e.g. distribution of slabs and assisting most vulnerable households in construction of latrines)
8 CCBRS (Comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation in Somaliland) is a local NGO working in the field of protection in partnership with UNHCR and UNICEF.
9 The project duration is 4.5 months (1st December 2006 to 15th of March 2007) child or the International Convention against torture etc.
The legal outreach service initiative implemented by Hargeisa legal Clinic of The University of Hargeisa as part of SGBV and Disability support project will provide direct legal representation for the SGBV victims from most vulnerable groups during court referrals. According to Legal Clinic Officers, 38 cases will be handled soon in Somaliland courts through this legal assistance through advocates and lawyers hired by UNHCR.
10 Due to natural disasters or conflicts
11 Journalists were from Somaliland, Puntland and South and Central Somalia. Prominent journalists from Somali Service of the BBC also participated.
2006 Gu rains provided slight recovery options including improvement in calving and kidding for mainly camels and shoats leading to 5% increase of livestock holding and increased availability of milk (particularly areas with good rains), and improved livestock prices due to good body condition of livestock, however; 70,000 people (25,000, 25,000 and 20,000 persons for Sool, Sanaag and Togdheer regions respectively) face Acute Livelihood Crisis due to below normal rains in those areas. Cumulative livestock deaths of the previous drought years, continuing livestock ban, and increased prices of food items due significant increase of fuel prices are among many factors that contributed to this livelihood status. Due to poor availability of water and pasture, the livelihood of the pastoralists of Hawd livelihood zone (South of Hargeisa and Togdheer Regions) is highly stressed and in alert situation, which need close monitoring. More charcoal production and increased enclosure of pasturelands were reported in areas with less rains including Hawd areas (south of Hargeisa and Burao) and some parts of Golis Mountains in the north (Source: 2006 Post-Gu Assessment).
According to a report released in September by FSAU and UNICEF, from 9—19 July, FSAU, UNICEF, MOHL, SCRS and other partners carried out nutrition assessment in Hawd of Togdheer region with estimated population size of 38250 (WHO & UNICEF NIDs Figures verified by the survey) and indicated alert nutrition conditions of 9.9% and 0.7% for Global Acute Malnutrition and for Severe Acute Malnutrition respectively. Crude and under five mortality rates are reported to be 0.42 and 0.76 deaths/10,000/day respectively. Similar or even higher malnutrition figures (GAM of 11.4%) were reported for Hawd Livelihood Zone of Hargeisa in another assessment carried by the same actors later in this quarter. Malnutrition was found significantly associated with child communicable diseases such as Diarrhea and Measles. The area is drought-affected where many pastoralists have got their assets eroded. FSAU in collaboration with UNICEF, MOHL, MOH, SRCS conducted a nutrition assessment in Sool Plateau of Sool and Sanag regions from August 22nd to 30th, 2006. This area has an estimated population of 45,845 (WHO/UNICEF August 2005 NID polio figures) In August/September.
An alert nutrition situation with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) of 9.0% and Acute Malnutrition (SAM) of 0.7% was reported showing improvements compared to the nutrition assessment of 2004, which reported GAM of 13.7%, a serious situation. Alert situation for both retrospective crude mortality rate (CMR) of 0.54 and under five mortality rate of 1.45 deaths/10,000/day respectively were reported although the same figures have shown improvement from 2004 situations due to general livelihood improvements associated with the 2005 Gu season. Malnutrition was found significantly associated (35.6%) with communicable childhood illnesses such as ARI, diarrhea, febrile illness and measles (Source: FSAU September 2006 Nutrition Update).
Integrated livelihood support, increased access to food and other complementary sectoral interventions (e.g. health, water and sanitation) and other asset rebuilding interventions such as restocking are among the recommended interventions for these communities. Targeted emergency support like food provision and nutrition-related interventions for destitute households may also address and alleviate suffering associated with the current destitution in such critical times.
The nutrition situation of IDPs in Burao and Berbera remain as high as 15.1% and 16.3% respectively according to last FSAU nutrition assessments (in October 05 and March 06 respectively) while the response (e.g. supplementary feeding) was considerably late. However, WFP and UNICEF are finally starting supplementary feeding in October. Deyr rains (Oct-Nov) are expected in the coming quarter. The performance of such rains will mainly dictate the livelihood conditions for the local people in the long dry spell of Jilaal (Dec-February). With recurrent nature of droughts in this region and the chronic food insecurity suffered by local people (apart from those who are already in alert or acute livelihood crisis), contingency planning for any possible developments of emergencies with respect to basic sectors (water, health, food, education, etc.) is important at this junction of time.
Crop production was estimated below PWA1 (post war average) for most agro-pastoral areas (except in Gabiley district—west of Hargeisa) and lower than the crop production of 2005 by 35%. 75% of the expected harvest will be from Gabiley district, which will also be subject to the performance of the Karan rains (August-September) and other factors that affect crop harvest (FSAU led interagency assessment report).
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Assessments/Surveys
1 PWA is from 1998 to 2005 DRC carried out several needs assessment surveys for the returnees/IDPs and other vulnerable groups of host communities in Jamalaye, Bursade and B/sheik of Berbera town, Ayah B of Hargeisa, and Togwajale in the month of July 2006 (Needs Assessment Reports are available with DRC). These assessments cover thematic sectors of water, sanitation and income generation.
FAO/FSAU led interagency Post-Gu assessment was concluded in July 2006 with the participation of OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, HAVAYOCO, CANDLELIGHT, NERAD, Ministry of Livestock, Min. of Environment, and Min. of Water and other actors. The assessment covered all regions of Somaliland evaluating the performance of Gu rains and analyzing trends of humanitarian and livelihood situation in the country (Assessment report available with FSAU). FSAU has also carried out a nutrition assessment in drought-affected areas of Hawd livelihood zone (South of Hargeisa and Buroa—the assessment report available with FSAU).
UNHCR in collaboration with some LNGOs including CCBRS and Haqsoor is planning to carry out IDP profiling exercise for several IDP settlements for which there is considerable information gap including Stadium (Hargeisa), Ali Hussein, Aden Suleiman and 15 May (the last settlements are in Burao town). A methodology to carry out this profiling has been developed and it will be piloted in the above settlements in order to have a comprehensive IDP profile with focus on protection needs/priorities to assist effective and timely response. The LNGOs that are supposed to carry out this profiling exercise will be trained in advance of the exercise.
On 2nd August during a preparatory meeting for the CAP, representatives from MRR & R declared that there is an assessment throughout the country to determine the number of IDPs and number of IDP settlements. UNICEF supported such assessment, although agencies in the IDP working expressed their lack of participation. Nevertheless, MRRR have not yet presented any findings or disseminate any report regarding this assessment in the next IDP WG meetings.
IDPs
Several IDP Working Group meetings have been convened by UNOCHA and MRRR during this quarter with the participation of UN Agencies, I/LNGOs, MRRR, Municipality and other actors. Major issue of agreed points discussion included: -
1. Joint IDP profiling. Due to existence of significant information gap regarding IDPs in Somaliland, effective assistance for IDPs/returnees, urban poor and other vulnerable groups (e.g. minority groups) becomes difficult and hence there is need to profile IDPs with emphasis on protection needs. UNHCR in collaboration with IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee) developed a new matrix (printable in A3 size) combining the already available information on IDPs/returnees/other vulnerable groups’ settlements in Somaliland as tool to guide profiling of IDPs.
2. The Priority IDPs settlements for joint profiling to be Stadium in Hargeisa and three other settlements in Burao (Ali Hussein, Aden Suleiman, 15 May).
3. Joint Programming for Hargeisa IDPs as pilot project with the support of government line (sectoral) ministries, UN Agencies and NGOs. Formation of Joint Programming team is under process in order to develop a joint and inclusive programme for assisting IDPs with special focus on improving the current conditions and finding durable solutions including relocation of some IDP settlements.
4. Relocation will be part of the Joint Programme and part of general urban planning considering optimum reintegration options, livelihood support activities and access to basic services (Water, Health, Education etc). The priority for any relocation process will start with Stadium and Statehouse Settlements since this is the government priority. As was confirmed by MRRR, in July 2006, a presidential letter was circulated to MRRR and Hargeisa Municipality instructing these institutions to accelerate the relocation of these two IDP settlements.
5. MRRR also drafted an IDP policy, which was distributed to UN agencies and other humanitarian actors for exchanging comments and contributions on the subject matter. A Joint UN feedback on this draft is under process aiming to enrich its content and make more inclusive considering humanitarian principles and human rights laws.
Stadium and Statehouse are among the temporary IDP settlements with congested Buuls (small huts) made of pieces of clothes, empty food bags, traditional sheets made of grass, and pieces of old plastic sheets. These IDP settlements were temporary settlements for about 10 years. Despite the congestion and shelter problems, the residents of these IDP settlements live in very poor conditions with no sanitation facilities making more vulnerable to disease outbreaks. Infrastructure for basic services such as education, water and health could not be established for these settlements due to fact that these settlements are temporary. However, some agencies such as UNICEF, NRC and DRC have been working to address water, sanitation, and educations services for the residents of the Statehouse, one of the temporary IDP settlements.
Due to congestion and type of shelter, these types of IDP settlements are potential for fire outbreaks. (State House IDP Camp in Hargeisa)
For instance, on 17th August 2006, a fire outbreak in Statehouse IDP settlements affected 9 households (about 65 persons) with small huts destroyed, 3 of them severely. Other losses included destruction of food and utensils. UNHCR immediately supplied plastic sheets, blankets and utensils followed by WFP providing one-month ration (including cereals, (State House IDP Camp in Hargeisa with fire sweeping some of the huts/buuls in August) pulses and oil) after joint assessment was carried out by UNHCR, UNOCHA and CCBRS (LNGO) and mobilizing the IDP Working Group. UNHCR in collaboration with UNHABITAT further helped reconstruction of the destroyed huts (buuls) of the most affected households.
Coordination
The JNA technical group with participation of the local authorities, UN agencies and NGOs concluded a consultative workshop for JNA in Hargeisa on 29th July 2006 at Maansoor Hotel attempting to put in place a 5-year plan (from 2007 to 2011) of Reconstruction and Development programme for Somaliland (for details, refer to JNA report).
UNOCHA organized CAP 2007 consultation workshop in Hargeisa at Ambassador Hotel on 6th of August 2006 with the participation of more than 56 representatives of the UN, INGOs, LNGOs, CBOs and government authorities. In this workshop, humanitarian activities of 2006 were reviewed and priorities of humanitarian responses for 2007 were agreed upon in order to facilitate CHAP (Common Humanitarian Action Plan) which is used for raising funds needed for humanitarian interventions in 2007.
In preparation for CAP 2007, UN OCHA Hargeisa also organized 3 preparatory meetings before the main consultative workshops for the following thematic groups: - 1) Food Security/Economic Recovery/Infrastructures (1 August 2006), 2) Human Rights/Rule of Law/Protection/IDPs/Returnees (2 August 2006), 3) Education/Health/Water/Sanitation/Shelter (3 August 2006), Each of the above thematic groups discussed the context, achievements, and constraints for the respective themes and priorities for 2007 were identified.
Most priority needs for 2007 is similar to that identified for CAP 2006. Lack of protection and access to basic services by vulnerable groups including IDPs, minority groups and asylum seekers, lack of response to SGBV which is in crease, poor prison conditions and lack of proper judiciary system for women and children are among the needs expressed. However, the need for recovery, reintegration and development interventions in agriculture, livestock, fishery, and other livelihood support projects such micro-financing, self-employment, vocational/skills training etc was emphasized since Somaliland is comparatively stable.
UN OCHA with the support of HRSU (Humanitarian Reform Support Unit) in Geneva conducted a workshop on humanitarian reform (Cluster Approach) in Hargeisa (at Maansoor Hotel) on 28th August with participation of 34 members of UN, INGOs, and LNGOs including UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, UNPOS, WHO, WFP, ILO, UNHABITAT, FAO, CARE International, DRC, NRC, PENHA, Action aid, Candlelight, Academy for peace and development, Forum for Peace and Governance, Heal, VOSOMWO, CCBRS, NAGAAD, SOMRAD, etc. However, due to several other workshops and trainings that were going on at the same time some INGOs invited could not participate. Most participants highly appreciated the humanitarian reform (cluster approach) and urged for the implementation of such approach to improve coordination of humanitarian activities in Somaliland. Most staff members including the staff of UN agencies expressed that it is first time for them to hear about the humanitarian reform process and the related theories. Somaliland/Somalia is among the pilot countries in which humanitarian reform process is to take place. (For further details on Humanitarian reform, please contact Abdulkarim Hussein Ali at husseinali@un.org).
UN OCHA Somaliland/Somalia in collaboration with other humanitarian actors is developing an advocacy strategy for Somaliland and Somalia. For a meeting organized for OCHA Somaliland/Somalia Advocacy officer, Mr. Hugo Karlsson, who is working on such advocacy strategy, about 15 persons from 10 agencies/organizations participated as per OCHA invitation.. Hugo Karlsson established contacts with different agencies/organizations and employees of these agencies/organizations and hence communication and exchange of ideas continued via e-mail regarding the development of advocacy strategy for Somaliland and Somalia (For any query on such advocacy strategy, one can contact Hugo Karlsson at karlsson@un.org)
Protection/Rule of Law
Protection needs for most vulnerable groups such as displaced people, minority groups/clans, Ethiopian refugees and/or asylum seekers, and urban poor are too many. Some of these groups routinely suffer discrimination and abuses despite other economic hardships they face (most of them depend on begging as the major source of income/livelihood) and hence any protection-related assistance should be focusing on those groups. For instance, children from these groups do not go to school due to child labor practice (children asked to go for begging, shoe shying, or work for other better off families as maidens, etc) and many girls from IDP households experience rape continually from members of the employers (members of employing families). Rape victims never go to police stations because they end up with stigma instead of assistance. Clans most of the time act as institutions that defend perpetrators so community mobilization is important to change attitudes.
Some of the successes achieved by the protection working group in Somaliland include the establishment of the Protection Monitoring Network and common methodology for IDP profiling and protection monitoring framework after several meetings and discussions both at country office level (in Nairobi) and at field level in Hargeisa as a part of inter-agency framework to collect and analyze protection-related information for the most vulnerable groups. Gaps have been identified including information gaps and capacity gaps. The next phase of PMN will start with the capacity building with the PMN members particularly for national actors (LNGOs and CBOs) and proceed with IDP profiling.
As part of the exercise, Birgitte Degnegard, from UNHCR Nairobi, who was on mission in Somaliland, met with protection-working group on 22nd July 2006 examining how best UN agencies, NGOs and community-based organizations can support community mobilization in IDP settlements to address key protection concerns and enable protection working group members to share experiences and examples of good practice, and to participate in the development of effective community mobilization tools which address the particular needs of IDP communities in Somaliland including GBV, HIV/AIDs, security, etc. The objective of this exercise was to identify practical ways to work with communities in identification of protection concerns/problems and how best to respond and address these issues.
Some of the suggestions of the participants included 1) The importance of working with the context, such as working host communities, CBOs, LNGOs, police, judges, local authorities, elders, and influential people 2) The need for IDP profiling since considerable information gaps exist. 3) Putting clear roles and responsibilities of different actors that work in protection sector to ensure coherence and complementary role of different activities in order to ensure that gaps are filled and overlaps do not occur. 3) Building the capacity of different actors pertain to the self-declared but unrecognized Republic of Somaliland. (CBOS, LNGOs, Women groups, concerned line ministries, etc.). 4) Developing integrated interventions, which strategically improve livelihoods of IDPs in addition to provision of basic services and 5) advocating for the rights of minority groups and other vulnerable/displaced people.
UNHCR Protection officer, Ms Vicky Tennant, approached the ministry of justice of Somaliland in order to discuss with them the incident that occurred on 3rd August 2006 when a police officer attempted to arrest OCHA staff including one international while interviewing IDPs and individuals from minority groups. The policeman threatened the UN staff and the IDPs. A letter of complaint in this regard was submitted to the Ministry of Justice. Somaliland police officers were also reported tracing the IDPs with their names afterwards and not have also in good terms with LNGOs that work with people displaced from South and Central Somalia and minority groups in the country. All these can create negative implications for accessing IDPs with the assistance they need and violations of their rights to be assisted.
UNHCR with the support of Danish Refugee Consortium (DRC) has launched a Small Grant Fund for partners to support a population tracking initiative. With the support of UNHCR and UNDP ROLs, the Legal Clinic for IDPs within the Faculty of Law of University of Law, has been providing assistance to displaced peoples and other vulnerable groups like minority groups in accessing to legal services. Hargeisa Legal Clinic are to focus on the advocacy for the rights of the vulnerable groups and assist victims of HR violations from these groups to access legal services. However, the outreach of Legal Clinic needs to improve since those who need the services provided by this clinic do not know about the existence of this legal service provider.
UNDP ROLS-conducted different trainings related to protection and rule of law in the last few months aimed at uplifting the skills of judiciary personnel of Somaliland to address the problem of HR violations and proper investigation and prosecution of perpetrators. Such trainings include 1) two-month capacity building course for 48 judiciary officials (judges, prosecutors, and advocates) of Somaliland government which started on 29th July 2006 2) training for 25 police officers (some of them women) and CIDs (Criminal Investigation Department) on proper investigation procedures of crimes related to women and children (such training was conducted by specialist from Scotland Yards from Britain) in order to support the recently established women and child desks and justice system of Somaliland in general and finally 3) training on Juvenile Justice System for Justice officers for Burao, Hargeisa and Borama.
DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration).
According to UNDP Somalia Quarterly Update - Jul 2006, more than 1500 weapons were registered in Burao and over 1,000 in Gabiley following the success of the pilot ‘Civilian Weapons Registration’ project in Burao and Gabiley in Somaliland in late 2005. The exercise was extended to Hargeisa at the beginning of March 2006 and awareness-raising workshops were held in Hargeisa in July 2006, and the registration drive will begin in August 2006.
Gender
According to the Minister and General Director (DG) of the Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Development, this ministry is developing a National Gender Policy with the support of CARE International. The draft is expected within 4 months from July. A consultant was hired to make the first draft. According to the Minister and the DG, FGM will be given a major attention in this policy. The draft will be finally enacted by the parliament since Somaliland has no gender policy so far.
Food Security and livelihood support.
Activities to support livelihoods of the vulnerable groups such as returnees, IDPs, and drought-affected pastoralists, etc. throughout the country include agricultural inputs (tools, seeds, animal traction, etc.), agricultural trainings, soil conservation, rangeland management, holistic resource management trainings, restocking and food for assets in different regions of the country by several agencies and organizations such as PENHA, Candlelight, HAVOYOCO, FAO, VETAID, DRC, and WFP.
PENHA, with the financial support of OCHA-managed HRF, has restocked 717 drought-induced destitute households in 26 villages of Erigavo district of Sanaag region. The restocking scheme was intended to alleviate suffering and improve livelihood conditions of these vulnerable households that lost their assets due to consecutive droughts that affected the region.
UNDP RRIDP is planning to carry out integretrated interventions for IDPs and other vulnerable groups based on assessment on livelihood-integrated projects that was done earlier by UNDP RRIDP. Some of immediate activities for IDPs and other vulnerable groups will include revolving fund project in which certain vulnerable households will have cash loan to boost their income generation activities.
UNICEF is planning to start drought interventions in Hawd livelihood zone where integrated activities (education, water, sanitation, health, etc.) will be carried out. Hawd livelihood zone lies south of Hargeisa in Hargeisa region and south of Buroa of Togdheer region where majority of the people are pastoralists. In these areas alert nutrition situation was reported recently (FSAU/UNICEF nutrition assessment report) caused by failures of rains in the recent rainy seasons leading to food insecurity and difficulties in recovery options.
Health
Through a workshop organized by WHO in Hargeisa on 20th September 2006, Health Cluster was officially started in Hargeisa. 20 participants from UN agencies (UNOCHA, UNICEF, WHO), INGOs (WVI, CARE International,) LNGOs (HAVOYOCO, Candlelight, Doses of Hope, and others) and Ministry of Health participated this workshop. There was a general limited and/or lack of understanding of the humanitarian reform for most participants since it was the first time for them to hear about it. After some presentations on basic concepts and importance of cluster appro