UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review

November 2006

One million could be organizations have been involved in the Contents…

distribution of non-food items as well as
affected by floods hygiene promotion. In the Juba Valley Floods affect almost
the response has been challenged by 1000,000 Somalia…1
Widespread flooding has directly limited and reduced presence on the
affected an estimated 340,000 people ground by humanitarian agencies. Political and security
developments…2
along riverine areas in Central/Southern
Somalia: 194,000 along the Shabelle
and 146,000 along the Juba. If the
Programme
situation persists, upto one million Updates…
people could be directly affected in the
coming weeks. In Northeast Somalia Health update…3
(‘Puntland’), recent heavy rainfall has
Nutrition update…3
caused localized flooding. The floods
came at a time when almost 1.8 million Water and
people (August 2006 estimates) in Environmental
Somalia were facing a highly vulnerable Sanitation update…4
humanitarian context and in need of
assistance and still recovering from the Education update…4
Cowering under cold, but glad to have some
effects of a major drought. polythene for shelter, these residents of Youth development
Farbaraki village, Balad district are some of update…4
Since mid-September food relief, shelter the beneficiaries of UNICEF support Credit:
materials and tens of thousands of UNICEF Somalia/CSZ Office-Yalahow. HIV/AIDS update …4
treated mosquito nets and sandbags
have been distributed by the UN and its Child Protection…5
partners. More non-food items (NFIs),
medical, food and other supplies are Communication for
being prepared for transport to affected development
update…6
areas. Different organizations are taking
the lead in coordinating the flood OTHERs
response Along the Juba and Shabelle
rivers. Local authorities and the Somali Somali youth poll…3
Red Crescent Society are providing
support. Both the Transitional Federal Partnerships…6
Government (TFG) and the Council of
Somali Islamic Courts (COSIC) have
established flood emergency
Marooned by floods, these houses in Hiran UNICEF is assisting
are a stark reminder of the challenges facing 250,000 people in
committees at local level with whom UN relief efforts in Central/Southern Somalia
agencies are cooperating and sharing urgent need of
where UNICEF continues to provide relief supplies.To date,
information. support. Credit: Somali Red Crescent Society. UNICEF has delivered
In Hiran, the response has resulted in shelter materials,
The total needs for the ongoing floods blankets, jerry cans,
delivery of food, water trucking and response are estimated at around US$
provision of medical treatment. In Middle soap, cooking sets,
28.4 million, of which around US$ 10.3 hand tools, sandbags,
and Lower Shabelle, UNICEF and other
nutrition supplies and
birth delivery kits. In
addition, supplies for
water treatment are
being distributed.
 UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review
2
million has been provided by the UN’s and COSIC would have a disastrous UNICEF
Central Emergency Response Fund impact on the ability of communities to Operational
(CERF). Beneficiaries have so far cope and exacerbate already precarious Areas…
included the Food and Agriculture food security and livelihood conditions.
Organization, WFP and UNICEF. The
humanitarian community is appealing to Political and Security Northwest Zone –
donors for an additional US$18.1 million Hargeisa Office
to cover activities in the sectors of developments update…
health, water and sanitation, nutrition, Awdal
food, logistics, protection, education, The Council of Somali Islamic Courts West Galbeed
livelihoods and early recovery. organized demonstrations in Mogadishu Togdheer
to protest against a proposed UN Sahil
Somalis and local authorities have also Security Council resolution in support of Sool
undertaken self-help initiatives. A the deployment of foreign peacekeepers Sanaag
Council of Somali Islamic Courts and lifting of the arms embargo on
(COSIC) initiative in Mogadishu raised Somalia. Following talks between the
about US$500,000 for the flood-affected Speaker of the now-split TFG Northeast Zone –
from local and Diaspora contributions. Parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Bossaso Office
Priority needs are mainly in the water and some MPs with representatives of
and sanitation sector given that COSIC in Mogadishu, the two sides Bari
outbreaks of waterborne diseases are of agreed on the need to continue Nugal
major concern. Access to affected deliberations geared towards securing a Mudug
populations remains a big challenge peaceful resolution to differences
with more boats and aircraft required. between COSIC and the TFG
Due to little or no infrastructure, and leadership based in Baidoa. TFG Central and
flooding itself, several primary roads are President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Southern Zone –
now completely impassable while the Prime Minister Ali Ghedi opposed Baidoa, Jowhar
airstrips are either dilapidated or the Speaker’s initiative. and Mogadishu
unusable because of the rains. Trucks
have been stuck in the mud for days In the late afternoon of 30 November, a Galgaduud
trying to transport food. car bomb explosion at a check point Hiran
near Baidoa killed eight people including Middle Shabelle
Two helicopters have been secured by a child. Lower Shabelle
WFP to offer logistics support to UN and Benadir
NGOs. Flights are in many cases the Various reports of skirmishes between Lower Juba
only means of transporting aid supplies COSIC and TFG troops and militia Middle Juba
and WFP plans to start food air drop backed by Ethiopia were reported. One Gedo
operations. of the skirmishes was between COSIC Bay
forces and those of Colonel Abdi Bakool
Qaybdid, an ally of the TFG in
On the political front, any outbreak of Bandiradley – 60km south of Galkayo.
fighting resulting from deterioration in Several people were killed and others
the present political stand-off between injured.
the Transitional Federal Government

2
 UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review
3
A delegation led by the Special Envoy of health (MCH) centres and training of UNHEARD
the UN Secretary General for Somalia, health workers took place in Adale, VOICES
Ambassador Francis Fall, visited Baidoa Warsheikh, Runnirgod and Merka.
on 21 November and met the TFG Somali youth get
President and Prime Minister. The UNICEF supported a three-week a hearing
delegation urged both the TFG and the training of trainers course in the
COSIC to continue dialogue and avoid prevention of mother to child An opinion poll
escalating conflict in Somalia. transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. It took conducted in May
among Somali children
place in Jinja, Uganda. A total of 20
from across the
Unrest: A riot broke out in Berbera town, participants from Somalia took part. country gives voice to
Sahil region of Somaliland on Thursday, their dreams,
November 17. The disturbances Donations: Three ambulances were aspirations and
occurred as residents protested the donated to provide support to opinions.
removal of metal scrap for export from community-based emergency
The poll initiated by
the former Berbera Cement Factory obstetric care in Puntland. The UNICEF in partnership
compound. Five people were injured vehicles will serve communities in with Africa Child Policy
and one reported killed in the effort to Hafun, the worst-hit location by the Forum is the first of its
quell protestors. Tsunami of December 2004, Bender kind in Somalia: a
country that has not
Beyla and Eyl.
known peace for close
Health update… to 16 years. It sampled
Nutrition update… 531 children (286 boys
and 245 girls) aged
Advocacy: Social mobilization was between 9 and17
conducted to raise awareness on Training: Thirty health workers from years old, in four key
maternal health services available in Burao and Borama hospitals in urban and rural
locations (Merca,
Somaliland. Advocacy was also carried Somaliland were trained in
Beletweyne, Bossaso
out for immunization against polio. Print management of severe malnutrition. and Hargeisa).
and electronic media carried content on Another 90 staff of MCH centres were
issues crucial to the immunization trained in administration of vitamin A The poll indicates that
exercise. and iron-cum-folic acid parents are crucial in
instilling important
supplementation to mothers after values and indicates
Polio: A polio immunization campaign delivery. In Puntland, UNICEF in that the following as
took place between 6 and 8 November collaboration with the Galkayo the most important
in Puntland. UNICEF in partnership with Education Centre for Peace and values instilled by
them: ‘respect for
WHO, media and NGOs mobilized Development trained 35 people in
others’, ‘telling the
communities to ensure immunization of advocacy for breastfeeding. Training truth’, ‘not stealing’ and
141,965 children. of community and maternal health “being responsible.’
centre workers commenced in areas
Training: Personnel were trained to affected by the Tsunami of 2004. 90% of Somali children
sampled, enjoy a
carry out a measles campaign in Elbur remarkably good
and Galhareri and other locations in relationship with their
Central/Southern Somalia. parents and appreciate
Rehabilitation of maternal and child them most for their
love, and care.

Poll highlights
appear in boxes in
next two pages….2

3
 UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review
4
Water and Environmental teachers, students, local authorities UNHEARD VOICES….2
and community members as part of
Sanitation update… the effort to promote school clubs for According to the poll,
two-thirds of the
child-to-child learning. children believed that
Projects: Construction and rehabilitation Classroom tents: Twenty-two school elections are a ‘very
of water projects in Arabsiyo, Gebiley, tents were installed in 12 villages of effective’ means to
Berbera, Agabar and Wadamagoo Somaliland. The tents are currently improve the state of
things in the country.
continued in Somaliland. Similar work facilitating learning for 660 students. Rural children
took place in Huddur, Baidoa and Bur Tents were repaired in Bossaso, expressed the most
Hakaba in Central/Southern Somalia. Puntland where 2,000 children learn confidence in
under school tents. In elections. Though
none of the children
Sanitation: School sanitation projects Central/Southern Somalia, 47 school
had ever experienced
continued in Somaliland and Puntland. tents were provided to schools in an election, it is
In Somaliland, 30 teachers were trained Lower Shabelle, Gedo and Bay notable that the
in hygiene and environmental sanitation. regions. Construction of Baidoa Girls majority supported a
Wheel barrows, shovels, rakes and pick Primary School was completed. democratic electoral
process.
axes for environmental clean-up were
donated to four European Union funded Supplies: Education supplies were
projects in Puntland. Twelve latrines distributed to schools in all regions On the topic of ‘young
people’s participation’
were completed in Aran, Gorisane and of Somaliland, parts of Puntland and only 17% of children
Habare primary schools in Bay, Central in Central/Southern Somalia. said they were
Somalia. Construction of another 14 consulted on matters
latrines and digging of wells is going on affecting them in their
in Merka and its environs.
Youth Participation community. One third
said they were never
and Development consulted, while 45%
Education update… update… did not know of any
system of consultation.

Training: Seventy-three youth were Among issues on

Training: About 400 teachers were which they would like
trained in mentoring of primary school trained in the use of participatory to be consulted,
teachers in subject-teaching and education theatre for development in education received top
methodology. Another 415 teachers Somaliland, Puntland and billing. Issues which
were trained in Mogadishu. A major Central/Southern Somalia. most concerned them
were the need for
challenge in Somalia is overcrowding in more schools (12%)
classes with some classes in major Addis meeting: UNICEF facilitated and for improvements
towns having 70 to 80 students. participation of Somali youth in the in educational
Meanwhile training of community African Development Forum held in standards (12%).
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Other matters on
education committees continues. The which they wanted to
committees are widely responsible for be consulted were
school management and development HIV/AIDS update… insecurity, hygiene and
health matters, and
in Somalia.
health information.
UNICEF has helped the Network of Despite the country’s
Advocacy: UNICEF initiated advocacy People Infected and Affected by insecurity, 60% of the
in Puntland and Somaliland targeting HIV, Youth Advocacy and Social children said that they
wanted to continue to
live in Somalia. A third
said they would
consider living in
another country with
23% favouring the
USA; 24% Britain and
4 17% opted for Asia.

….3
 UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review
5
Development in Somaliland to establish Testing: UNICEF donated a CD-4 UNHEARD VOICES…3
an office with furniture and equipment. count machine to the Somaliland
The cultural practices
The organization is dedicated to helping administration. The donation from the
considered most harmful
people living with HIV. Among the Global Fund Against AIDS, by the children were
activities planned by the organization is Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATIM) is female genital mutilation
the organization of a weekly meeting of useful in monitoring the viral load of (57%), early marriage
people living with HIV at their compound persons with HIV. (38%); male
circumcision; child
to discuss issues pertinent to their bondage and polygamy.
welfare. Child Protection No particular person
‘Woman to woman’: As part of this update… emerged strongly as a
role model for the
initiative for HIV prevention and control,
children, although they
600 women in Somaliland participated in Network: A child protection network identified the following as
discussions on information and was established by 16 partner people they looked up to:
knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Meetings organizations from Togdheer region. traditional and religious
were also organized for 300 other Child protection advocates from leaders; athletes,
musicians and teachers.
women and girls as part of a peer different locations were trained in
25% of children polled
education component of the initiative. Bossaso. said they had no ‘role
The participants were drawn from Gender issues: A workshop was held model’.
development projects and met each in Somaliland bringing together
organizations involved in supporting In their vision for Somalia
week in smaller groups to discuss
the majority of children –
issues related to HIV. Thirty women victims/survivors of gender-based almost 75% - were
facilitators were trained in the violence. Participants shared positive that in future, the
implementation of the initiative in information on services on offer and country will be a better
Puntland. discussed how to establish efficient place to live in. Their
confidence was founded
referral procedures.
on hopes of ‘good
Advocacy: HIV regional working groups governance’ (37%); ‘less
in Hiran, Middle Shabelle, Benadir and Training: Twenty-four national delinquency and
Lower Jubba conducted advocacy protection advocates were trained in violence’ (25%); ‘better
Puntland. Twenty- education’ (24%); ‘better
activities round the Youth-HIV AIDS
economic situation’
week. The activities were carried out in eight staff of organizations involved (22%); and ‘less poverty’
Belet Weyne, Mogadishu, Jowhar and in providing psychological care and (10%). Only 10% were
Kismayo districts. Activities included counseling also not optimistic about the
team sports competitions and athletics; received induction into various country’s future and
expressed concern about
debates and discussions, art issues related to the work of their
the ‘worsening economic
competitions, quizzes and street organizations. situation’ and ‘more
processions. delinquency in society’.
Advocacy: Communities in four IDP
camps in Mogadishu and three other Said UNICEF
Advocacy: The video Somalis on HIV
Representative for
and AIDS taking action, making a locations were sensitized on child Somalia, Christian
difference was distributed in Hiran and protection issues. Special focus was Balslev-Olesen : We
Galgadud regions as well as to 17 paid to the prevention of gender- have documented
international and Local organizations. based violence. evidence of previously
unheard voices of
Somalia’s youngest
citizens. Responsible
adulthood begins by
giving children the space
to voice their opinions.
We urge Somali parents,
community leaders,
authorities and the
5 international community
to listen”.
 UNICEF Somalia Monthly Review
6
Communication for Somaliland counterparts on the UN
development agenda for Somaliland.
Development update…
Marginalised get support: In an article in
Child-to-child: A meeting was held in the Horn Tribune dated November 26,
Somaliland to discuss the training of an article titled Breaking cast Barriers
teachers as part of the child-to-child gave insights into UNICEF support for
learning process. marginalized/minority clans in Hargeisa,
Somaliland. The clans are now able to
Training: 35 participants were given access social services such as the
refresher training in the Participatory provision of water.
Integrated Community Dialogue (PICD)
development process. The process is a
UNICEF initiative to enhance community If you have questions about the UNICEF Somalia
dialogue to identify development Monthly Review please contact:
priorities. Participants were drawn from
Bossaso, Gardo, Iskushuban, Bender Denise Shepherd-Johnson, Communication Officer.
Beyla, Rako and Waciye districts of E-mail: [email protected]
Puntland. Also in attendance were
representatives of the Puntland OR Robert Kihara, Assistant Communication Officer.
administration and NGOs. In E-mail: [email protected]
Central/Southern Somalia, UNICEF Tel: 254-2-7623958/ 7623950/7623862/ 7623959/
provided input into workshops on 350410. Fax: 254-2-520640/ 7623965
community dialogue attended by
members of local authorities in Bay, Credit for majority of content in this report goes to
Bakool and Gedo regions. UNICEF staff in Somalia.

Partnerships…
Repatriation: UNICEF provided
humanitarian assistance to people
repatriated to Ethiopia. In Ethiopia,
arrangements were put in place to
arrange the reception and reunification
of minors with their parents.

UN-Somaliland talks: The UN

Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator
for Somalia Eric Laroche, UNICEF
Somalia Representative, Christian
Balslev-Olesen and other senior UN
staff met 13 Somaliland ministers in
Hargeisa. The UN officials briefed the