Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Key Overall Developments
The 2009 Somalia Consolidated Appeal Process
(CAP) was launched in Nairobi on 1 December
2008 appealing for just over US$918 million in
support of some 200 projects from 14 United
Nations agencies, 32 International NGOs and 39
National NGOs. The increase in scope and
funding size of the Somalia appeal from US$662
million in 2008 to US$918 million for 2009
reflects not only the dramatic increase in the
number of people in need (3.2 million) but
also the sharp rise in commodity and delivery
costs for Somalia.
“What we are looking at today is a situation
in which nearly half the population is in
crisis or need of assistance. There is no
doubt it has reached an undeniable level of
immensity,” said UN Humanitarian and Resident
Coordinator, Mr. Mark Bowden. “Without
question, throughout 2008, humanitarian
operations have struggled to address the
widening crisis and support the growing number
of vulnerable populations in an environment of
shrinking humanitarian space. In this
difficult environment, humanitarian
operationshave overall delivered what was
needed where it was needed in a timely manner.
In addition to an integrated response for
health, nutrition, water and sanitation for
immediate life-saving purposes, parallel
livelihood support is urgently needed to
prevent households from falling into
intractable poverty given the high food
prices, loss of assets and lack of access to
food. We can, and we must, do this in 2009.”
The 2008 humanitarian appeal for Somalia was
70% funded as of 4 December 2008. However,
there are some variations in funding levels
between sectors – safety & security for staff
(8%), agriculture & livelihoods (24%), health
(40%), education (42%) and protection (42%).
The latest nutrition surveys conducted by the
UN Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) in
October and November confirm the continuing
humanitarian crisis, particularly in central
Somalia where some levels of severe
malnutrition are nearly 6% compared to 3% in
May 2008. The emergency threshold is 4%. FSAU
highlighted the urgent need for livelihood and
humanitarian interventions to save lives and
livelihoods.
WFP reported that some 1,250 mt of food aid in
41 trucks crossed the Kenya-Somalia border
into Gedo, Lower and Middle Juba regions of
Somalia through Mandera and Liboi border
following the reopening of the border posts on
28 November. The Kenya Government had closed
the border even for the passage of relief
cargo due to security concerns triggered by
the abductions of two nuns in El Waaq,
Northern Kenya, on 10 November. Trans-border
deliveries of humanitarian food aid into
Southern Somalia were hampered, causing
decreased deliveries for November
distributions.
On 30 November, a ship delivering 11,000 mt of
sorghum, Corn Soya Blend (CSB) and vegetable
oil safely arrived at Berbera port,
Somaliland. The vessel sailed from Mombasa
through the piracy plagued Somali waters under
NATO escort for ten days on the seas. This is
the first shipment from Mombasa to Berbera in
the recent past. Most shipments to Berbera and
Bossaso ports originate from Djibouti.
Response
During the reporting week, WFP dispatched a
total of 1,366 mt food aid targeting 368,322
beneficiaries in Northeastern and South
Central Somalia.
WFP plans to distribute 27,630 mt of food to
1.6 million Somalis in December across
Somalia. Among the beneficiaries for the month
include 260,860 vulnerable Somalis targeted
under a social support programme (including
nutrition interventions), 656,980 internally
displaced persons and 420,280 vulnerable
Somalis targeted through general food
distribution as well as 111,900 beneficiaries
through Food for Work and training. Insecurity
in some parts of Somalia is the main likely
challenge that may affect the distribution
plan for December.
For further Information in Somali or English,
contact Muna Mohamed on + 254 733 643 737 ?
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