Highlights
UNICEF, together with the Federal Government of Somalia, donors and partners, launched the Situation Analysis of Children in Somalia 2016 in Mogadishu. The report consists of comprehensive data and analysis on the state of Somali children, as well as recommendations crucial to support UNICEF’s work of fulfilling the rights of all Somali children and positive trends in child survival and development.
In July, Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC) visited Somalia for the second time. During her visit, she met children in detention in Puntland who were captured during fighting with AlShabaab and called for their release and handover to UNICEF for reintegration with their families and communities. The SRSG also visited the UNICEF-supported Elman interim care centre, where released children, particularly those captured in Gaalkacyo during the same fighting with Al-Shabaab, are enrolled in reintegration programmes. The SRSG urged for stronger measures to protect children from recruitment and use by armed groups.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
4.7 million People in need of humanitarian and livelihood support
305,000 Acutely malnourished children under-5
UNICEF Appeal 2016 - US$ 82 million*
*Funds available include funding received for the current appeal year as well as the carry-forward from the previous year
Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs
The number of Somali refugees returning from the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya has increased in the first half of 2016; more than 19,000 refugees have returned to Somalia since December 2014, including 13,300 in 2016alone. Data collected by UNHCR shows that nearly half of those returning this year went to Kismayo and 30 per cent to Baidoa. Returns are for the most part taking place in regions affected by the current Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera outbreak and where overall needs remain dire. The impact of La Niña in the second half of 2016 could also further exacerbate vulnerabilities. Shocks and additional stresses are likely to lead to further deterioration of the wellbeing of returnees and consequent desperate and/or negative coping strategies in order to survive. There is risk that the nutrition status of returnee children rapidly deteriorates as they are exposed to diseases and as their parents face difficulties in generating income. If children are not accessing learning opportunities, they are also at risk of harmful practices, especially child marriage, child labour and recruitment by armed groups. As families return to Somalia, children are also at risk of being separated.
As of end July, 13,055 suspected cases of AWD/cholera have been reported in Somalia. With 491 deaths recorded, the case fatality rate stands at 3.7 per cent, well above the 1 per cent emergency threshold. Children under 5 bear the biggest brunt; according to WHO, children account for 58 per cent of the cases. Of all cases, 47.3 percent were women and girls. Banadir, Bay, Lower and Middle Juba, Lower and Middle Shabelle and Hiraan are the most affected regions, with the cholera outbreak confirmed in 25 districts to date. While new cases continue to be reported in newly affected districts, the overall number of cholera cases and deaths reported has decreased in the second half of July.
Humanitarian Leadership and Coordination
UNICEF actively participates in the Humanitarian Country Team, Humanitarian Heads of Agencies meetings and the Inter-Cluster Working Group, which lead strategic and cross-sectoral coordination of humanitarian programmes. UNICEF is also an active member of the Civil-Military Working Group and Access Task Force. UNICEF leads the WASH and Nutrition Clusters and the Child Protection Working Group and co-leads the Education Cluster. The operational capacity of the UNICEF-led Clusters is significant, with a network of over 140 partners each, including sub-regional coordinators in over 15 regions. The network facilitates access to information, coordination and interventions in hard-to-reach and inaccessible areas.
Humanitarian and Resilience Strategy
UNICEF aims to prevent mortality and morbidity with the provision of an integrated package of curative and preventive nutrition interventions and primary health care services. Eradication of polio remains a top priority and efforts are made to immunise all children, combined with emergency measles vaccination campaigns to prevent outbreaks. UNICEF is also ensuring that a package of basic life-saving interventions is also provided in newly accessible areas, whilst maintaining neutrality and impartiality.
UNICEF continues to work on strengthening the implementation capacity of Government and partners. Life-saving and resilience initiatives are also promoted by increasing access to safe water; promoting emergency sanitation; extending community-led total sanitation approaches to flood, drought and disease-prone areas; and maintaining immediate response capacity through nine supply hubs across central and southern regions of Somalia. UNICEF supports the disengagement and reintegration of children associated with armed groups, monitors and reports on grave violations, while preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV). Furthermore, UNICEF works to improve access, quality and capacity for provision of emergency education. These interventions contribute to the joint UNICEF, FAO and WFP resilience programming which aims to address the interrelated causes of malnutrition through multi-sectoral interventions at community level. The aim is to build community capacity to anticipate and deal with recurrent shocks in their environment with a package which further includes support to schools as an important entry point for nutrition support, behaviour change interventions and quality education.