Humanitarian situation 2011 East Africa drought

1 humanitarian situation

1.1 refugee crisis
1.2 health , disease
1.3 security

humanitarian situation

on 20 july 2011, un declared famine in lower shabelle , bakool, 2 regions of southern somalia. on 3 august, famine further declared in balcad , cadale districts in middle shabelle idp settlements in mogadishu , afgooye in response data un s food security , nutrition analysis unit. according un, famine spread 8 regions of southern somalia in 4 6 weeks due inadequate humanitarian response caused both ongoing access restrictions , funding gaps. economist reported widespread famine occur across entire horn of africa, situation...not seen 25 years .

rainfall levels in larger east africa region 1995-2011.

according luca alivoni, head of fao-somalia, food crisis in somalia has affected farmers in south rather northern pastoralists since farmers stay behind on land plots protect crops , while herders move livestock pastureland.

on july 20, 2011, staple prices @ 68% on five-year average, including increases of 240% in southern somalia, 117% in south-eastern ethiopia, , 58% in northern kenya. in july, un world food programme said expected 10 million people across horn of africa region need food aid, revising upward earlier estimate of 6 million. later in month, un further updated figure 12 million, 2.8 million in southern somalia alone, affected area. on 3 august, un declared famine in 3 other regions of southern somalia, citing worsening conditions , inadequate humanitarian response. famine expected spread across regions of south in following 4 6 weeks. on 5 sep, un added entire bay region in somalia list of famine-stricken areas. un has conducted several airlifts of supplies in addition on-the-ground assistance, humanitarian response crisis has been hindered severe lack of funding international aid coupled security issues in region. of september 2011, 63 per cent of un’s appeal $2.5 billion (us) in humanitarian assistance has been financed.

the crisis expected worsen in following months, peaking in august , september, large-scale assistance needed until @ least december 2011. torrential rains exacerbated situation in mogadishu destroying makeshift homes. tens of thousands of southern somalia s internally displaced people consequently left out in cold.

turkana women in turkana district, 1 of kenya s drought-affected regions.

in addition, kenyan red cross warns of looming humanitarian crisis in northwestern turkana region of kenya, borders south sudan. according officials aid agency, on three-fourths of area s population in dire need of food supplies. malnutrition levels @ highest. consequence, schools in region have shut down because there no food children . 385,000 children in these neglected parts of kenya malnourished, along 90,000 pregnant , breast feeding women. further 3.5 million people in kenya estimated @ risk of malnutrition.

in august 2012, estimated 87,000 people in taita-taveta district of kenya reportedly affected famine, situation attributed combination of wildlife invasions , drought. large herds of elephants , monkeys overran farms in district s lowland , highland areas, respectively, ruining thousands of acres of crops. local residents, 67,000 of whom receiving food aid, accused kenya wildlife service (kws) of intentionally moving monkeys district. however, denied kws.

food shortages have been reported in northern , eastern uganda. karamoja region , bulambuli district, in particular, among worst hit areas, estimated 1.2 million ugandans affected. ugandan government has indicated of september 2011, acute deficits in foodstuffs expected in 35 of country s districts.

although fighting disrupted aid delivery in areas, scaling of relief operations in mid-november had unexpectedly reduced malnutrition , mortality rates in southern somalia, prompting un downgrade humanitarian situation in bay, bakool , lower shabele regions famine emergency levels. humanitarian access rebel-controlled areas had improved , rainfall had surpassed expectations, improving prospects of harvest in 2012. despite re-imposition of blocks militants on delivery of relief supplies in areas under control, international committee of red cross (icrc) reported in january 2012 food crisis in southern somalia no longer @ emergency levels. although security restrictions precluded collection of updated information in december/january few regions in southern somalia, un indicated in february 2012 indirect data health , relief centers pointed improved general conditions august 2011. un announced famine in southern somalia over. however, fews net indicated emergency (ipc phase 4) levels of food insecurity persist through march in southern riverine parts of juba , gedo regions, south-central agropastoral zones of hiran , middle shebele, southeast pastoral sections of shebele , juba, , north-central coastal deeh on account of crop flooding , ongoing military operations in these areas have restricted humanitarian access, trade , movement.

a somali woman , child @ relief center in dollow on somalia-ethiopia border.

the un warned that, in worst-case scenario of poor rains , price instability, conditions remain @ crisis level 31% of population in limited-access areas until august harvest season. in most-likely scenario, fsnau , fews net expect april–june rains average. ameliorated food security outcomes expected on account of start of deyr harvest, reached 200% of post-war mean , predicted higher usual. except juba region, damage flooding , limitations on trade have kept cereal prices high, above average harvest has led substantial drop in overall cereal prices in south s vulnerable regions. has resulted in more agricultural wage labour opportunities underprivileged agropastoral households , increased purchasing power of pastoralists. exception of coastal areas, little under 95,000 pastoralists have yet recover herd sizes drought , consequently still require emergency livelihood assistance (ipc phase 4), abundant rainfall in parts of central , northern somalia has replenished pastureland , further boosted purchasing power of local herders. benefit of current harvest ebb in may, un stressed continued multi-sectoral response necessary secure recent gains made, , general humanitarian needs requiring international assistance persist until @ least september 2012.

according sudan crop , food security assessment mission (csfam) january 2012, due supbar cereal production , increased cereal prices caused intense conflict has limited trade, humanitarian , population movements, estimated 4.2 million people in sudan predicted in stressed (ipc phase 3), crisis , emergency levels during first 3 or 4 months of 2012. number estimated @ 3.3 million people in december 2011, , expected affect south kordofan, north darfur , blue nile states. below average cereal production , trade blockade imposed sudan have extended food insecurity in south sudan, northern , northeastern sections of nation expected @ stressed , crisis levels through march.

aid agencies have shifted emphasis recovery efforts, including digging irrigation canals , distributing plant seeds. long-term strategies national governments in conjunction development agencies believed offer sustainable results.

refugee crisis

new ifo ii camp in kenya, built try , ease overcrowding in dadaab complex.

by 15 september, more 920,000 refugees somalia had reportedly fled neighboring countries, particularly kenya , ethiopia. @ height of crisis in june 2011, unhcr base in dadaab, kenya hosted @ least 440,000 people in 3 refugee camps, though maximum capacity 90,000. more 1,500 refugees continued arrive every day southern somalia, 80 per cent of whom women , children. un high commissioner refugees spokeswoman melissa fleming said many people had died en route. within camps, infant mortality had risen threefold in few months leading july 2011. overall mortality rate 7.4 out of 10,000 per day, more 7 times high emergency rate of 1 out of 10,000 per day. there upsurge in sexual violence against women , girls, number of cases reported increasing on 4 times. incidents of sexual violence occurred during travel refugee camps, cases reported in camps or new refugees went in search firewood. put them @ high risk of acquiring hiv/aids. according un representative radhika coomaraswamy, food crisis had forced many women leave homes in search of assistance, without protection of family , clan.

in july 2011, dolo odo, ethiopia hosted @ least 110,000 refugees somalia, of whom had arrived recently. 3 camps @ bokolomanyo, melkadida, , kobe exceeded maximum capacity; 1 more camp reportedly being built while planned in future. water shortage reportedly affected facilities.

according lutheran world federation, military activities in conflict zones of southern somalia , scaling of relief operations had december 2011 reduced movement of migrants. february 2012, several thousand people had begun returning homes , farms.

health , disease

a somali boy receiving treatment @ health facility in hilaweyn.

in july 2011, measles cases broke out in dadaab camps, 462 cases confirmed including 11 deaths. ethiopia , kenya facing severe measles epidemic, attributed in part refugee crisis, on 17,500 cases reported in first 6 months. statistics put number of children @ risk of measles @ 2 million. epidemic in ethiopia may have led measles outbreak in united states , other parts of developed world. world health organization stated 8.8 million people @ risk of malaria , 5 million of cholera in ethiopia, due crowded, unsanitary conditions. malnutrition rates among children in july reached 30 percent in parts of kenya , ethiopia , on 50% in southern somalia, although latter figure dropped 36% mid-september according food security , nutrition analysis unit. doctors without borders (médecins sans frontières) treating more 10,000 severely malnourished children in feeding centers , clinics. in july 2011, un s food security , nutrition analysis unit announced situation in southern somalia met 3 characteristics of widespread famine: a) more 30 percent of children suffering acute malnutrition; b) more 2 adults or 4 children dying of hunger each day every group of 10,000 people; , c) population had access less 2,100 kilocalories of food , 4 liters of water per day. in august, cholera suspected in 181 deaths in mogadishu, along confirmed reports of several other outbreaks elsewhere in somalia, raising fears of tragedy severely weakened population. in mid-november, office of u.n. high commissioner refugees (unhcr) announced 60 cholera cases, 10 lab-confirmed , 1 fatality, had hit dadaab refugee camp in northern kenya.

by december 2011, un s ocha bureau announced scaling of relief operations had resulted in improvement in global , severe acute malnutrition rates decrease in mortality rates in southern somalia s conflict zones relative start of drought crisis in july/august. although acute malnutrition rates remained higher median global acute malnutrition (gam) , severe acute malnutrition (sam) rates october–december season, global acute malnutrition rates had fallen 30-58 percent 20-34 percent , severe acute malnutrition rates in turn dropped 9-29 percent in july 6-11 percent. mortality rate likewise declined 1.1-6.1 per 10,000 people per day in july/august 0.6-2.8 per 10,000 people per day. despite gaps in aid delivery in areas due imposed islamist bans, food security , nutrition analysis unit (fsnau) reported nutrition cluster had december reached 357,107 of estimated 450,000 children had been acutely malnourished @ start of crisis in july.

security

in july 2011, head of united states agency international development, rajiv shah, stated drought may worsen security situation in region. happening precisely in part of world our defense secretary leon panetta said critical part of our fight against terrorism , our overall international security. underscores deep link between food security , national security. armed herders violently competing dwindling resources. in kenya alone more 100 herders have been killed.

the battle flag of al-shabaab, islamist group implicated in crisis

fears of al-shabaab insurgents, control of southern somalia, continue hinder humanitarian operations in region. need better access have @ moment address emergency of scale. un agencies “in dialogue” al-shabaab securing airstrips in areas under insurgent group’s control deliver aid. united nations world food programme considering return southern somalia, withdrew in 2010 after threats rebel group al-shabaab. estimates there 1 million people in areas cannot access. in july 2011, al-shabaab announced had withdrawn restrictions on international humanitarian workers, , aid organizations allowed in.

however, on 22 july, group stated ban on organizations remains in place. in statement, al-shabaab s spokesman sheikh ali dhere indicated organization had no issue allowing muslims , non-muslims drought affected people , permitted work if not have other interests . stated banned agencies belong 2 categories: acting spies, while others, including un, have political agenda, doing nothing claiming . criticized aid agencies providing assistance in neighboring countries, stating luring needy people food in order teach them christianity. hassan liban, director of british charity islamic relief has managed gain access through negotiations, said al-shabaab not keen on emergency relief not tied longer-term programmes people recover livelihoods. stated organisation wants send food, say: give food , go away . if s sustainable , planned allow work.

al-shabaab members have allegedly intimidated, kidnapped , killed aid workers, leading partial suspension of humanitarian operations in southern somalia. ethiopia , un accuse eritrean government of backing insurgents. on 28 july, african union peacekeepers launched major offensive against al-shabaab militants in northern mogadishu, somalia, in effort protect famine relief efforts attacks. 6 killed during conflict, , key territory seized insurgents. al-shabaab has sent 300 reinforcement fighters mogadishu in preceding days, according lt. col. paddy ankunda, spokesman au peacekeeping force in somalia. stated action further increase security ... , ensure aid agencies can continue operate vital supplies internally displaced. of 1 august, beginning of ramadan, african union offensive in ongoing. however, au intelligence sources said insurgents planning counteroffensive during month of fasting.

a girl stands amid graves of 70 children on outskirts of dadaab. long desert journey relief camps has claimed many lives.

on 6 august 2011, reuters reported transitional federal government s troops , amisom allies managed capture of mogadishu al-shabaab militants. witnesses reported al-shabaab vehicles abandoning bases in capital south-central city of baidoa. group s spokesman sheikh ali mohamud rage described exodus tactical retreat, , vowed continue insurgency against national government. observers have suggested pullout may @ least in part have been caused internal ideological rifts in rebel organization.

on 4 july 2011, prime minister of somalia abdiweli mohamed ali appointed national committee tackle severe drought affecting southern part of country. committee consists of several federal-level members of government, including ministers of defense, health, interior, finance, public works, women s affairs , information. tasked assessing , addressing needs of drought-impacted segments of population.

on 13 august, prime minister ali announced creation of new 300-man security force in response discussions un officials situation in mogadishu. un stated earlier in week aid reaching around 20% of drought-affected peoples, of famine-stricken areas still controlled al-shabaab rebels. assisted african peacekeepers, new military unit have primary goal protect convoys , food aid, secure idp camps when relief supplies being distributed. besides helping stabilize city, new protection force tasked combating looting , banditry in addition other vices.

the somali national army (sna) , somali police force (spf) have ramped security operations in wake of drought.

on 16 august, neela ghoshal, official human rights watch, told reuters group had received complaints of government soldiers robbing civilians. however, voice of america reported earlier in month that, according witnesses @ camp in mogadishu, men dressed government troops began stealing food rations, after point government soldiers guarding supplies opened fire on looters. in response incident, somalian government forces commander general abdikarim dhengobadan denied men responsible looting. information minister of somalia abdirahman omar osman , amisom commander paddy akunda have accused al-shabaab militants of disguising somalian government soldiers before attacking government , amisom positions. despite this, according un, security situation in capital has improved since withdrawal of al-shabaab militants, facilitating scaling of relief efforts in region.

on 13 october 2011, 2 women spain employed aid workers doctors without borders @ dadaab refugee camp kidnapped gunmen. u.n. temporarily suspended non-lifesaving aid operations @ dadaab. spanish branch of medecins sans frontieres (doctors without borders) announced 49 expatriate staff working charity evacuated nairobi, leaving 343 local staff members in dadaab. activities such registering new arrivals , journeying outside camp meet refugees walking final miles suspended. in december 2011, 3 somali aid workers shot , killed in central somalian town of mataban. 2 of workers un world food programme employees , third worked partner organization. gunman turned himself in local authorities.

in october 2011 coordinated operation, operation linda nchi, between somalian military , kenyan military, began against al-shabaab militants, alleged have kidnapped several foreign aid workers , tourists inside kenya. according ethiopian foreign minister, mission represents 1 of final stages of islamist insurgency.