Situation overview
An armed conflict erupted in Gaalkacyo on 22 November 2015, killing approximately 20 people and leaving an estimated 120 injured, according to the Health cluster. The Protection Cluster members reported over 90,000 people internally displaced to nearby villages and internally displaced people’s (IDP) settlements in the outskirts of North and South Gaalkacyo, creating overcrowding in many settlements which raises protection risks and seriously puts pressure on already strained services. Some of the displaced reportedly sought shelter in schools or health facilities. Among the displaced are 40,000 IDPs who have lived in displacement in settlements in north and south Gaalkacyo prior to the conflict; some of these settlements are located close to the conflict’s frontline and reports confirm that some the IDPs’ shelters have been impacted by the fighting.
The renewed displacement of IDPs is of particular protection concern as they have no support structures in the conflict area. A peace agreement was signed on 2 December, in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, leaders of Jubaland and South West Interim Administrations, community elders and a delegation from the United Nations, the European Union (EU), and the InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). However, relative calm has returned to Gaalkacyo after the signing of the 5 December cease-fire agreement. Reports confirmed that the armed forces from both states have started to withdraw from the frontline. Some internally displaced people have reportedly begun to return to their homes and previous settlements, while many are still reluctant to return. Others reportedly felt compelled to return due to hardship suffered in the area of displacement. Few businesses have also resumed operations since 6 December.
Humanitarian impact and needs
The armed violence has exacerbated an already fragile humanitarian situation in Gaalkacyo and its surrounding areas particularly for the internally displaced people, who lived in quite destitute IDP settlements that had been impacted by the El Nino rains prior to the conflict breakout. The temporary withdrawal of humanitarian organizations from Gaalkacyo has left a response gap. In addition, aid to Galgaduud, Hiraan and other parts of Mudug regions has been affected as Gaalkacyo provides road access to Gagaduud region.
Protection cluster members estimated that over 90,000 people were displaced including 40,000 internally displaced people. An estimated 20,000 displaced people from settlements in north Gaalkacyo moved to Halaboqat, Medina Munawara, Salama and Tawakal local integration sites in the northwest outskirts of the town. Some moved to Caagaran settlement, which is over-crowded with nearly 5,000 new arrivals. Most people from host communities have fled to villages along the main road from Gaalkacyo to Garowe. In south Gaalkacyo, another 20,000 displaced people have fled to neighboring villages mostly to Harar, and Hiraan 2. The two main hospitals in Gaalkacyo town are under-staffed as some of the staff fled the fighting. Education facilities, schools and universities, have reportedly been impacted by the conflict, which is further disrupting the lives of children and youth.