Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – SOMALIA
In the past, conflict, drought, tsunami, freezing rains and migration of people paralyzed most of the region infrastructures and economic resources. While a prevailing stability provides respite from conflict, the situation in Puntland remains critical; financial resources are limited, food security remains a concern and the vulnerable population is growing. There still exists an unresolved boundary dispute with Somaliland over the western regions of Sool and Sanaag which results in sporadic clashes over the last four years. On 15 October Somaliland forces took control of Laas Caanood, the regional capital of Sool. Need assessments were conducted in Somaliland and Puntland by (International) NGOs and local authorities to assess the needs of the vulnerable displaced persons. In the reports, an estimated 30,000 – 50,000 people were displaced from Laas Caanod to the surrounding districts with about 30,000 categorised as vulnerable and in need of assistance. In rural areas of Puntland, inter and intra-clan clashes and banditry persist.
While generally, humanitarian access through Puntland is unhindered, increased security incidents targeting humanitarian assistance and workers have been reported since the beginning of 2007.
In the last three years and particularly since mid-2006, the number of people spontaneously moving into Puntland has risen - fleeing insecurity as well as economic reasons. IDPs and returnees occupy the major towns particularly Bossaso, Gaalkacyo, Garowe and Gardho. Reports suggest that this has detrimentally impacted on the standard of living of the host population who are obliged to assist (with whatever support they can) through the extensive Somali family network and putting great additional strain on the area's limited resources.
The rule of law remains weak, vulnerable groups particularly IDPs, the urban destitute and poor, suffer regular infringements of their human rights.
KEY HUMANITARIAN ISSUES
The most pressing humanitarian issues in Puntland include lack of food security and livelihoods, IDPs issues, human smuggling and human trafficking, poor access to education, HIV/AIDS and lack of access and infrastructure.
Food Security and Livelihoods:
According to the FAO Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) Post Gu 2007 survey, drought affected areas of Puntland have experienced gradual, but significant recovery over the past five seasons. However, pastoralists of the Addun and Coastal Deeh in Eyl, Jariiban and Gaalkacyo are identified with early warning of Moderate Risk to deterioration due to the combined effects of the poor Gu rains, poor rangeland conditions (water and pasture) and declining terms of trade (livestock and rice). Livestock exports from Bossaso port declined significantly due to the monsoon restricting the loading of small vessels. The agreement reached between Puntland authorities and the Saudi Livestock traders was not accepted by the local livestock traders and as a result traders withheld livestock. Goat prices in July 2007 were higher by 17% and 28% compared to July '06 and 43% and 29% compared to the five year average of July prices (2002-06), but declined by 14% and 2% compared to Dec '06 (the peak demand for Haj), respectively. Over the same time period, rice prices were higher by 70% compared to July '06, 59% compared to the five year average of July prices (2002-06) and 53% compared to December 06. The sharp increase in rice prices in Puntland is due to the sharp devaluation in the Somali Shilling caused by the increased money supply following newly printed Somali shilling bank notes in the markets.
IDP issues:
It is estimated that Puntland hosts up to 70,000 IDPs living in congested settlements often with returnees and other urban poor. Conditions in the settlements vary including contaminated water and no sanitation facilities, lack of access to basic social services, disease, and regular outbreaks of fire/arson. Inter-agency IDP working group consisting of UN agencies, International Non Governmental Organisations and local partners are providing support to the Puntland authorities on the provision of humanitarian assistance (shelters, food and NFIs) to IDPs in Bosasso, Garowe, and Gaalkacyo as well as looking at the implementation of longer term responses which focus on IDP reintegration.
Human Smuggling and Human Trafficking:
Smuggling and people trafficking from Puntland to Yemen and the Gulf States continues to be a major concern. According to UNHCR, tragic incidents of people crossing the Gulf of Eden have increased. Since the beginning of 2007, 23,532 people arrived in Yemen, of which 13,796 were Somalis and 9,713 Ethiopians. At least 838 people have died during the crossing and 524 are known to be missing, with twice as many Ethiopians' deaths compared to Somalis. Given the magnitude of smuggled migrants transiting through Puntland, there is urgent need to develop responses to prevent human trafficking as well as to protect smuggled human beings and potential victims of trafficking (which include asylum seekers, refugees and IDPs). In April 2007 the protection cluster formed a mixed migration task force to improve the design of rights-based humanitarian interventions with a cohesive and practical strategy.
Poor access to Education:
Access to education is limited in Puntland. Out of a total number of 451 schools in Puntland, 51,051 boys and 34,222 girls are currently enrolled in primary school education. According to UNICEF (August 2007), an estimated 60% of children of school age (including nomadic population) in Puntland are still out of school. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the construction of 58 and renovation of 20 classrooms were completed and 1300 teachers were trained during the year 2007. Different incentives for schooling (school feeding, learning material or other financial support) were also provided to about 25,000 children in need, with particular attention to girls.
HIV/AIDS:
The prevalence rate in Puntland is estimated at 1.0%, specifically; 0.9 in Bossaso, 0.7 in Garowe, and 1.4 in Gaalkacyo. In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, 3 Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres have been finalised in Puntland in August 2007, notably in Bossaso, Garowe, and Galkayo. Out of about 500 consultations and testing conducted in these VCT centres, 58 resulted to be HIV positive and 15 are currently under Anti-Retroviral (ARV) treatment. The construction of a VCT centre in Laas Caanood is underway. An ARV Therapy centre was completed in Bossaso in January 2007.
Access and Infrastructure:
Lack of access as a result of poor infrastructure, particularly roads, is inhibiting social/ economic/ political development in the region. Although rehabilitation works were conducted on the Awrulus-Garowe, Jalam-Burfinle, Becama–Karingorfod, Jariban-Garad, Yalho-Lag roads and in Bossaso, Galkayo and Conoco/Garowe airports during the year 2007, there are still urgent need to build roads and communication facilities so rural.
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