Targeting of humanitarian workers was a key concern this week in Somalia. The United Nations premises was a direct target of the continuing insecurity and violence in Mogadishu. On 8 and 9 February, four hand grenades were hurled in and around the United Nations Development Programme compound. No injuries occurred. Contrary to some media reports which stated, ‘UN suspends operations in Somalia following attacks’, there was no decision to suspend UN operations in Somalia. However, official travel to Somalia was temporarily halted.
Also during the week, a Non Governmental Oganisation aid worker was kidnapped on 12 February by an unknown gang in Ceerigaabo (Sanaag), Somaliland. No motive for the kidnapping was immediately established but Somaliland authorities rescued the staff member unharmed the following day.
Humanitarian response continues with support of both international and national staff and local implementing partners on the ground. The community kitchen programme, which serves 53,000 prepared meals a day in Mogadishu, is ongoing. WFP started the next round of general food distributions along the Afgooye road on 13 February, targeting about 200,000 Internally Displaced People in Afgooye by the end of the week. CARE Somalia also started food distribution in Gedo region targeting 138,864 residents and 5,000 IDPs. In addition to daily water trucking of millions of litres of water along the Mogadishu/Afgooye Road, the construction of latrines, wash basins and distribution of soap, other hygiene promotion activities and chlorination of wells in Mogadishu are ongoing. These activities are geared towards mitigating cholera which is prevalent around this season.
In Afgooye, UNICEF and partners trained 40 teachers on psychosocial support, care and best practices in emergency school management. A community mobilization campaign was carried out this week to raise awareness about the importance of enrolment and staying in school. The campaign involved 210 community education committees. About 40 school kits (stationary, blackboard, chalk etc) were distributed to 3,420 pupils in 20 schools in Jilib district.
Following the Food Security Analysis Unit’s latest reports that central regions of Somalia were experiencing drought, OCHA held a meeting for stakeholders last week to address the dire situation. There is urgent need for water trucking as many water reservoirs have run dry both for human and animal consumption. Concern World Wide has already started water trucking in January and will continue for the coming two months. CARE just completed a food aid distribution in Galgaduud and South Mudug regions targeting about 230,000 people. Action Contre la Faim is running a Supplementary Feeding Programme and an Out-Patient Treatment, while the NGO CISP is supporting the hospital in Dhuusamarreeb. Partners agreed to scale up activities in the region which already hosts about 170,000 IDPs who fled from Mogadishu in the past year. The priorities in the area are mainly water and food.
Meanwhile, on 11 February, a journalist working with Somaliweyn Radio in Mogadishu accused of collaborating with the opposition was freed after a month in jail. The media, just like other civilians, have borne the brunt of the ongoing insecurity and human rights violations in Somalia. According to Reporters without Borders, a total of nine journalists were killed between 2007 and January 2008.
Puntland
In Bossaso, where 24 people were killed and over 90 others injured in a bomb explosion on 5 February, humanitarian agencies met with authorities and visited the hospitals where the wounded are recovering. Additional distribution of mattresses, beds, plastic covers, sanitation materials, medical items were delivered to the hospital by international NGOs. The NGO Danish Refugee Council is catering for medical operational services including admission and daily treatment fees.
