| United Nations | A/50/447 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
19 September 1995
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH
Fiftieth session
Item 20 (b) of the provisional agenda*
STRENGTHENING OF THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AND DISASTER
RELIEF ASSISTANCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS, INCLUDING SPECIAL
ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE: SPECIAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUAL
COUNTRIES OR REGIONS
Assistance for humanitarian relief and the economic and social
rehabilitation of Somalia
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION .........................................1 - 23
II. RELIEF AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES .................3 - 333
A. General ..........................................3 - 53
B. Food security ....................................6 - 114
C. Agriculture and fisheries ........................12 - 145
D. Health ...........................................15 - 216
E. Water and sanitation .............................22 - 239
F. Education ........................................24 - 279
* A/50/150.
95-28299 (E) 161095/...
*9528299*
CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs Page
G. Refugees .........................................28 - 2911
H. Internally displaced persons .....................30 - 3211
I. De-mining and demobilization ..................... 3312
III. RECONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES AND EFFORTS ................34 - 4213
IV. COORDINATION ARRANGEMENTS ............................43 - 4615
V. IMPACT OF SECURITY PROBLEMS ..........................47 - 5216
VI. ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY MEMBER STATES .................53 - 5918
VII. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS ..............................60 - 6419
/... A/50/447
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A/50/447
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I. INTRODUCTION
1. In its resolution 49/21 L of 20 December 1994 on assistance for
humanitarian relief and the economic and social rehabilitation of Somalia,
the General Assembly, inter alia, noted with concern that the failure of
the Somali parties to achieve political reconciliation and to maintain
secure conditions in some parts of the country had impeded the full
transition from relief operations to reconstruction and development. The
Assembly appealed to all the Somali parties concerned to terminate
hostilities and to engage in a national reconciliation process that would
allow for such transition, and called upon all parties, movements and
factions in Somalia to respect fully the security and safety of personnel
of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and of non-governmental
organizations.
2. The General Assembly called upon the Secretary-General to continue to
mobilize international humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction
assistance for Somalia, to apprise the Economic and Social Council at its
substantive session of 1995 of the progress made in the implementation of
the resolution and to report thereon to the Assembly at its fiftieth
session. As requested by the Assembly, an oral report was delivered to the
Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995 by the
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. The present report has
been prepared in response to the above request by the Assembly.
II. RELIEF AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
A. General
3. By the end of 1994, the acute phase of the emergency in Somalia had
been overcome. Owing largely to the international relief effort, the
health and nutritional status of the population has improved significantly,
contrasting dramatically with the situation at the peak of the crisis in
1992 when 3,000 men, women and children were dying daily from starvation.
Agricultural and livestock production has increased owing to favourable
climatic conditions combined with the effective distribution of food-
security inputs. Communitybased interventions by the United Nations and
its partners have vastly improved the population's access to health, water
and education services in the country. A considerable number of refugees
and internally displaced persons have returned to their communities to
resume a productive life and contribute to the reconstruction of Somalia.
4. In spite of these positive developments, the country is still a long
way from being self-sufficient in meeting the basic needs of its
population. The devastating civil war scarred virtually every aspect of
Somali society, destroying at least 60 per cent of the country's basic
infrastructure and causing an estimated 1.5 million people to flee from
their home areas to neighbouring countries or elsewhere within Somalia. In
view of the tremendous scale of the devastation, the recovery process will
require considerable time, an expansion of international efforts and, most
importantly, the active support and involvement of the Somali people to
enable the agencies to carry out their activities safely and securely. In
addition, the political instability and climate of insecurity that continue
to characterize Somalia provide a prime breeding ground for new
emergencies, with vulnerable groups being the most at risk, including
displaced persons, refugees, women, children and the disabled. The
situation underlines the necessity of achieving peace and national
reconciliation to ensure that humanitarian gains are not reversed and to
enable the country's full recovery.
5. United Nations agencies and their partners require sufficient funding
and resources to address adequately the emergency and primary
rehabilitation requirements in Somalia. Insufficient financial resources
in the first half of 1995 limited the ability of United Nations agencies to
provide target populations with adequate food and non-food inputs.
Emergency and rehabilitation requirements for Somalia for the first six
months of 1995, as reflected in the United Nations consolidated inter-
agency appeal of January 1995, amounted to $24.8 million in the food aid
sector and $45.4 million in the non-food sector. As of 15 August 1995,
contributions for food aid totalled $10.3 million. Contributions for non-
food activities amounted to $3.7 million. An estimated additional $6
million was contributed to international non-governmental organizations and
other international organizations operational in Somalia in the first half
of 1995, outside of the framework of the United Nations appeal.
B. Food security
6. Drought conditions subsided and agricultural production improved
considerably in 1994, compared to the period of the 1992/93 emergency.
Plentiful rains in 1994 led to two exceptionally good harvests in Somalia.
The August 1994 gu (main) season harvest reached 312,000 tons, which
represents about 65 per cent of pre-war levels, and the output of the
January 1995 der (secondary) harvest totalled 95,000 tons, which exceeded
the pre-war average and assisted in improving the general food security
situation across the country.
7. However, assessments of the 1995 gu season harvest indicate that crop
output in the rainfed areas will be diminished owing to insufficient and
scattered rains. While the agricultural output in irrigated areas is
expected to be satisfactory, production in rainfed areas is estimated at no
more than half of last year's harvest. Barring any further pest
infestations or security constraints in agricultural areas, total cereal
production in the country is estimated to reach, at best, 80 per cent of
last year's harvest. Furthermore, in spite of the overall improvement in
the agricultural situation in 1994, the majority of Somalis remain poor and
their food security levels are negatively affected by the absence of
institutions of governance, widespread unemployment, and limited
international recovery and development assistance in the country.
8. Although no major cereal shortage is expected, the anticipated increase
in food prices resulting from reduced agricultural production will lower
the purchasing power of vulnerable groups in the country. Signs of a
deteriorating nutritional status began to emerge in the second half of 1995
in some parts of the country, particularly in the Juba Valley of southern
Somalia and in Mogadishu, with an increase in malnutrition rates reported
among returnees, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
The precarious food supply situation in the country is compounded by
continuing insecurity and political instability. The major seaports in
Somalia, including the port of Mogadishu, are functioning only
intermittently, limiting the potential level of commercial food imports to
the country. Estimated food aid requirements for 1995/96 amount to 129,500
tons. Pledges and carry-over stocks of the World Food Programme (WFP)
stand at 77,500 tons, leaving a shortfall of 52,000 tons.
9. In view of the improved food supply situation in 1994, WFP continued to
shift the focus of its assistance from relief to rehabilitation schemes.
Over 4 million people in Somalia benefited from this assistance through the
implementation of about 10,000 projects. The programme consists primarily
of food-for-work schemes, which WFP implements through an integrated multi-
sectoral approach in the areas of health, education, agriculture, water,
infrastructure rehabilitation, income generation, women's development,
demobilization and resettlement. WFP reduced the amount of food aid
allocated for relief distribution to approximately 10 per cent of its
assistance programme by the end of 1994, and it has remained at that level
in 1995. With the departure of the United Nations Operation in Somalia
(UNOSOM) and some international non-governmental organizations, WFP has
become increasingly reliant on national non-governmental organizations,
regional administrations and local community structures, which comprised
about 90 per cent of its implementing partners by the end of 1994. In
total, WFP provided some 66,000 tons of mixed food commodities in 1994
through its eight field offices.
10. In 1994/95, WFP also contributed significantly to Somalia's
rehabilitation process through its food monetization programme. Over $5
million was generated in Somalia through the sale of nearly 7,000 tons of
high-value food commodities not produced in the country. These funds were
utilized to provide non-food inputs to 240 rehabilitation projects,
creating about 4,000 jobs and strengthening general food security in the
country.
11. In January 1995, WFP established a Food Security Assessment Unit,
supported by the United States Agency for International Development and the
European Union, to monitor weather conditions, food production, market
prices, consumption and food availability trends, as well as the
nutritional and health status of populations throughout Somalia. In close
collaboration with other United Nations agencies and non-governmental
organizations, the Food Security Assessment Unit collects, analyses and
disseminates data and information required for estimating immediate and
future food requirements and for operationalizing a comprehensive early
warning system in Somalia. In the event of natural disasters, WFP provides
immediate food assistance to affected populations. Nearly 50,000 people
affected by severe flooding in parts of the country in November 1994 were
provided with emergency food rations. WFP also provides regular support to
other vulnerable groups, including 14,000 orphans and 1,200 disabled
persons.
C. Agriculture and fisheries
12. As more and more people have returned to their farms, the agricultural
sector has shown encouraging signs of recovery. At the same time, the
resumption of farming activities by returnees has increased the need for
agricultural rehabilitation efforts in the country. During the civil war,
agricultural machinery was looted, and bore-holes, wells and nurseries were
destroyed. To contribute to the process of agricultural rehabilitation,
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has
distributed seeds and basic agricultural tools to tens of thousands of
destitute farmers and returnees, in collaboration with partner non-
governmental organizations and local authorities. About 6,000 farmers are
receiving assistance through WFPsupported food-for-work schemes for the
rehabilitation of wells, water catchments and irrigation canals. In
preparation for the 1994 gu season, WFP provided pre-harvest food support
to over 8,000 farming families in the bay region. In October 1994, WFP
began a local grain procurement programme to support Somali farming
communities and stimulate local grain markets. Some 11,000 tons of locally
produced cereals had been purchased by June 1995. An animal traction
project in the north-east, executed by FAO, has benefitted 800 farming
families by increasing their crop production and relieving the workload of
children previously engaged in ploughing. FAO continues its plant-
protection activities by surveying and combating locust and pest
infestations throughout the country. The plant protection campaign
includes a component to train national personnel in pest control measures.
13. FAO also vaccinated livestock, rehabilitated slaughterhouses and
trained nomads in basic veterinary skills in 1994/95. Support was extended
to villagelevel associations to reactivate veterinary clinics, which have
helped to reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rates among
livestock. FAO has provided assistance in animal certification procedures,
which has made possible the resumption of livestock exports from Somalia.
In coastal areas, WFP has supported the establishment or expansion of
several fishing cooperatives. However, implementation of an FAO and United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) fisheries development project in the
Merka-Adale area near Mogadishu has been suspended owing to continuing
insecurity in the area.
14. In March 1994, the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) commenced implementation of the 32-month Beyond Relief Programme
designed to assist in restoring the agricultural and livestock production
capacity of rural populations in the areas of Baidoa, Wajid and the Middle
and Lower Shabelle districts of Somalia. The main activities executed by
the Beyond Relief Programme were contracting local blacksmiths to produce
50,000 harvesting knives and distributing these to rural communities in
Baidoa and Wanle Weyne. In addition, an emergency Quelea-bird eradication
programme was implemented and proved to be highly successful, resulting in
a satisfactory sorghum harvest.
D. Health
15. By the end of 1994, most of the standard indicators of the health and
nutritional status of the population showed considerable stability. In
spite of this overall improvement, the health status of a large segment of
the population in Somalia remains precarious owing to a number of factors,
including restricted access to food on the market, poor access to health
care services and the heavy workload of many women. Diarrhoeal diseases,
malaria and pneumonia are among the leading causes of childhood morbidity
in the country. To improve health conditions in the country, United
Nations agencies and their partners in 1994 strengthened their
interventions in the health and nutrition sector. The United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the World Health
Organization (WHO) and non-governmental organizations, continues to support
health-care facilities, expanding its coverage to include 129 maternity
healthcare centres, 93 out-patient dispensaries, 391 health posts and 24
hospitals. Some 790 community health workers, traditional birth attendants,
nurses, auxiliaries, trauma counsellors and vaccinators have been trained
since September 1994.
16. UNICEF continues to provide supplementary feeding to an average of
22,000 malnourished children, pregnant women and lactating mothers every
month, targeting those areas of the country where malnutrition persists.
An average of 20,500 children a month receive vitamin A supplements to
assist with disease prevention. More than 1,500 tons of Super Unimix was
distributed to 34 UNICEF-supported feeding centres in central and southern
Somalia. Nutrition surveys, conducted regularly by UNICEF and several
international non-governmental organizations, serve to ensure a rapid
response in areas affected by malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable
groups such as displaced persons and returnees, as well as drought- or
conflict-affected populations.
17. An outbreak of cholera that began in parts of Somalia in February 1994
declined in the last months of 1994. However, cholera resurfaced at
Kismayo and Mogadishu in February 1995, indicating a seasonal cycle of the
epidemic. Concerted action by WHO, UNICEF, WFP, the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and partner
organizations, including Somali non-governmental organizations, succeeded
in rapidly containing the renewed cholera outbreak in 1995. WHO provided
over 54 tons of treatment drugs and other supplies, and consolidated the
information to monitor the cholera situation throughout the country.
UNICEF, in collaboration with its partners, established isolation and
treatment centres, chlorinated water sources, provided oral rehydration
salts and other supplies and carried out intensive health education and
social mobilization campaigns in affected areas. Educational materials on
cholera prevention, designed and produced by UNESCO, were used in the anti-
cholera campaign. WFP food incentive schemes also contributed to the anti-
cholera activities. Medecins sans frontieres (Belgium) operated a cholera
treatment centre at Kismayo and assisted in monitoring the outbreak. By
June 1995, the situation had been brought under control, and water samples
collected from wells continued to test negative for cholera. A total of
10,496 cholera cases were identified in the country during the first half
of 1995, and 197 deaths were reported, representing a case fatality rate of
1.88 per cent. These figures indicate an improvement over the 1994 cholera
outbreak, when a total of 28,334 cases were reported and 1,206 deaths
recorded, representing a case fatality rate of 4.26 per cent. To ensure
preparedness for responding to any renewed outbreak of the disease, there
is an urgent need to replenish the country's cholera prevention and
treatment supplies.
18. WHO continued to expand its support to tuberculosis treatment
programmes in various parts of the country. Some 4,000 tuberculosis
patients completed therapy during 1994, and a total of approximately 10,000
cases were expected to be treated in 1995. WHO assistance to blood bank
services has improved the safety of blood transfusion in parts of the
country. The multisectoral community-based WHO Basic Minimum Needs
programme, which has resumed in Somalia and is expanding at the rate of one
village per month, has positively impacted the quality of life of
populations in the target areas. To combat malaria, a major health problem
in rural and coastal areas, WHO has continued to distribute anti-malarial
drugs and to develop malaria control strategies with local authorities.
WHO is also working with Somali researchers on the development of
chemotherapy protocols for malaria treatment in the country. An NGO-
operated leprosy treatment centre benefiting 300 patients is receiving
technical advice, drug supplies and laboratory support from WHO.
19. To guard against a recurrence of the 1992 tragedy in which tens of
thousands of children died from measles in Somalia, UNICEF has vaccinated a
cumulative total of 900,000 children against the disease. Between
September 1994 and July 1995, over 95,000 children were immunized against
measles, 125,000 against tuberculosis and another 143,000 against four
other preventable diseases. In addition, over 106,000 women of child-
bearing age were vaccinated against tetanus. To improve immunization
levels in urban areas, UNICEF, WHO and partner non-governmental
organizations are expanding outreach activities from health posts and
maternity health-care centres. A reproductive health programme,
implemented by WHO in collaboration with UNICEF, the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) and several non-governmental organizations, was
initiated in March 1995 in response to high levels of maternal morbidity
and mortality associated with nutritional deficiencies, complications
during birth and limited access to pre- and post-natal care in Somalia.
WHO continued to provide essential drugs to 56 local non-governmental
organizations and 12 international non-governmental organizations from its
Somalia Central Pharmacy at Mogadishu and satellite warehouses in many
parts of the country. UNICEF supplied drugs, vaccines and medical
equipment to health facilities and distributed basic and renewable drug
kits to all maternity health care centres and most out-patient dispensaries
and health posts in the country. Between January and June 1995, the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provided over 66 tons of
medical supplies to hospitals and health posts throughout the country.
20. The re-establishment of laboratory services and surgical capabilities
has been supported through the provision of technical assistance, reagents
and training activities. Since September 1994, 33 Somali professionals
have benefited from hands-on laboratory training under WHO supervision, and
4 hospital laboratories have been provided with equipment and supplies.
WHO, UNICEF and international non-governmental organizations are planning
to strengthen the disease surveillance system in Somalia. WHO technical
guidelines and other health education literature in the Somali language are
being printed and distributed in collaboration with UNESCO. United Nations
agencies, non-governmental organizations and Somali health professionals
are cooperating in the design of a joint health and nutrition strategy with
a view to improving standardization, coordination, planning and
sustainability in the health sector in Somalia.
21. WFP continues to support the health sector in the country through its
various food-for-work and food incentive schemes. On a monthly basis,
7,000 health-care workers in nearly 100 hospitals, clinics, leprosy camps,
health posts and maternity health-care centres receive WFP food-for-work
allowances. Approximately 8,000 in-patients a month, as well as
malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women, benefit from
special feeding programmes. WFP also provides food incentives to
instructors and participants in community health worker training courses.
E. Water and sanitation
22. The prevalence of unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation and
hygiene practices continues to affect the health and nutritional status of
people throughout Somalia. A large segment of the population lacks
adequate water and sanitation facilities, owing to massive displacement and
destruction of infrastructure during the civil war. To address the
problem, United Nations agencies and their partners have been undertaking
efforts to improve the population's access to safe drinking water, thus
reducing exposure to waterborne diseases. Over the past year, UNICEF
rehabilitated 145 open wells, of which 50 were fitted with handpumps. At
Boroma, two boreholes and a water storage tank were rehabilitated and
reconnected to the town's water supply system. In addition, some 120
latrines were constructed to improve sanitation conditions in schools
throughout the country. By the end of 1995, UNICEF expects to rehabilitate
an additional 100 open wells and 100 small urban water systems, as well as
complete the rehabilitation of the major water supply system at Baidoa.
23. In many villages, WFP supports the rehabilitation and maintenance of
water systems through food-for-work schemes for technicians and support
staff. The building of protective fences to combat the contamination of
water sources is also supported. FAO, in collaboration with UNDP, is
assessing the pesticide residue level in water from drinking wells along
the Hargeisa river, which is suspected of having been polluted by
pesticides when a major warehouse containing pesticides was damaged in the
town during the civil war. UNDP continued to support the rehabilitation
and operation of the Mogadishu water supply system, which provides water to
about half of the city's population. In June 1995, however, the supply of
water from the station came to a halt because of lack of fuel to operate
the station's main generators. In addition, funds for the project are
exhausted and UNDP is seeking urgent contributions to continue its
assistance. UNICEF expanded its training activities in the water and
sanitation sector. A total of 800 mechanics received on-the-job training
in handpump maintenance, and personnel from 30 non-governmental
organizations were trained in pump installation. In addition, UNICEF
trained 55 people to repair water systems, and a total of 175 people were
trained in social mobilization for improved water and sanitation practices.
F. Education
24. To assist in the revitalization of the education sector and to
restore a level of stability to the lives of school-aged children in
Somalia, United Nations agencies continued efforts to improve access to
basic education. UNICEF and its partners supported the rehabilitation of
44 schools and distributed 1,865 education kits to a total of 585 primary
and Koranic schools throughout the country. UNESCO, in collaboration with
its partners, has so far produced one million primary-level textbooks.
Twenty-four titles and their corresponding teacher guides have been
introduced to schools. About 15,000 teachers and support staff receive
monthly food baskets from WFP in exchange for their services in over 500
schools, and about 80,000 students are provided with daily meals or high-
protein snacks to boost their nutritional levels and encourage attendance.
WFP also supports the rehabilitation of school buildings through its food-
for-work and monetization schemes.
25. UNESCO continues to support the rehabilitation of the education sector
through its education development centres at Mogadishu, Baidoa and
Hargeisa, its emergency action response centres at Garbaharey and Hoddur,
and a regional programme centre at Nairobi. A total of 87 teacher-training
workshops have been conducted by UNESCO in 12 regions of the country, as
well as in Somali refugee camps in Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen.
Teacher-training guides developed by UNESCO have been utilized in
collaboration with UNICEF to provide refresher training courses to 744
primary and Koranic schoolteachers and 60 headmasters. In addition, 4,000
copies of "Child Care in Islam" were printed by UNICEF and distributed to
schools in the north-east, and another 12,000 copies are under print for
distribution in other areas of the country.
26. As part of UNESCO's Somalia Open Learning Unit, practising but
untrained teachers are receiving in-service training in pedagogic and
administrative subjects, leading to a diploma. An emergency education
package developed by UNESCO has been distributed in rural areas and in
camps for internally displaced persons to provide the basic materials
required to enable effective learning to take place in situations where
school buildings do not exist or are in disrepair. In a joint UNICEF and
UNESCO programme, over 90 trainers, inspectors and administrators received
training, with the goal of ensuring that educational officers capable of
exercising training, supervisory and inspectorate functions are present in
each region of the country. Some 86 teachers were trained in the provision
of psycho-social support to war-traumatized children as part of a UNICEF
pilot project in Baidoa. WFP continues to support teacher-training
programmes through the provision of food incentives for participants and
instructors.
27. UNICEF continues to promote the introduction of a primary education
curriculum in community-based Koranic schools in order to expand access to
basic education in the country. UNICEF also increased its efforts to raise
the community's awareness of the importance of educating young girls
through the organization of workshops and the distribution of 18,000
posters throughout the country. UNESCO continued to support the
establishment of regional boards of education in several areas, and UNICEF
assisted in the formation of school committees in 115 communities to
improve the management and sustainability of local education systems in the
absence of central authority. In addition, in 1994 UNESCO launched a
comprehensive adult literacy programme in Somalia. The United Nations
Development Office for Somalia, a UNDP project, in collaboration with
UNESCO is conducting surveys and undertaking data collection on the
education sector in all regions of the country.
G. Refugees
28. Although some refugee camps in Kenya were closed as a result of the
large number of Somalis who were repatriated, approximately 157,000 Somali
refugees are still registered in camps in Kenya. Another 300,000 Somali
refugees were registered in camps in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea as of
June 1995. In addition, the outbreak of fighting in north-west Somalia
since November 1994 has caused a renewed exodus of people from the country.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and
its partners continue to implement voluntary repatriation programmes,
prepare the ground in Somalia for returning refugees and assist local
communities to meet the needs of the returnees and the communities
themselves.
29. Over 500 quick impact projects have been designed to facilitate the
rehabilitation of essential infrastructure that was destroyed or damaged
during the civil war. Under this programme, public and agricultural
infrastructure, schools and veterinary services are being rehabilitated,
thus contributing to the reintegration of returning populations and
improving the absorptive capacity of recipient communities. From Kenya,
over 60,000 refugees were voluntarily repatriated from camps to the Gedo
region. Voluntary repatriation from the Kenyan coastal camps began in
December 1994, and over 12,000 Somalis returned to the Kismayo area of
Lower Juba over a 10-week period. WFP continued to facilitate the return
of refugees through community reintegration projects and farm
rehabilitation schemes. Seeds and agricultural tools were distributed to
needy returnees and residents of the recipient communities. In March 1995,
ICRC provided mosquito nets, seeds, fishing materials and other non-food
items to over 30,000 returnee and resident families in the Juba Valley.
With crop failure resulting in a deterioration of the nutritional status of
returnees in the Marere area of Lower Juba, ICRC began an emergency food
aid programme benefiting over 1,000 families and established a feeding
centre for malnourished children in April 1995. UNHCR and its partners
will continue efforts to enhance coordination for repatriation and returnee
programmes and to ensure the stability of returning populations and
recipient communities.
H. Internally displaced persons
30. The presence of a large number of internally displaced persons, who
are among the most vulnerable groups in the country, continues to be a
major concern for United Nations agencies and their partners. In addition
to the substantial hardships faced by displaced persons owing to lack of
food, inadequate health services and security problems, the large
population of internally displaced persons presents serious obstacles to
rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the country and brings
significant pressure to bear on already highly stressed towns and cities
where the displaced are concentrated. A survey is being conducted by the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) at Mogadishu. The survey
has identified a total of 96 camps for internally displaced persons in the
city and suggests a total population of some 70,000 internally displaced
persons in Mogadishu. There are an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 internally
displaced persons country-wide.
31. Assistance has been extended to internally displaced persons in the
form of food and non-food humanitarian relief as well as resettlement and
reintegration support. Between September and December 1994, 25
resettlement operations were carried out, assisted by UNOSOM, United
Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations, in which a total of
14,211 internally displaced persons were returned to their villages of
origin in 12 regions of the country. The returnees received resettlement
kits from UNICEF, in-transit and interim food rations from WFP, and seeds
and tools from FAO. WFP also provided substantial support for community
reintegration projects in areas of resettlement which benefited over 7,000
returnee families from Mogadishu alone. During the phaseout of UNOSOM,
responsibility for the general coordination of return-to-home programmes
for internally displaced persons was shifted to IOM. In mid-December 1994,
a further 1,680 internally displaced persons were returned to the Bakool
region, with substantial logistical and other support provided by national
non-governmental organizations as well as elders from within the
communities of the internally displaced persons. All return-to-home
programmes for internally displaced persons have been suspended since March
1995 because of financial constraints and insufficient donor response to
resettlement appeals. IOM is planning a return and reintegration programme
for internally displaced persons presently in Mogadishu, but implementation
of the programme will require additional support from the international
community.
32. UNICEF, in cooperation with other United Nations agencies and partner
non-governmental organizations established emergency health posts in
villages around Hargeisa and at Kismayo to provide medical treatment to
displaced persons and returnees, as well as potable water and oral
rehydration salts. UNICEF also provided tools, latrines and other water
and sanitation assistance to displaced persons in coastal communities
affected by cyclones and flooding in late 1994. WFP has initiated a number
of income-generation projects benefiting displaced families living in camps
around Mogadishu. The second phase of the IOM survey in Mogadishu camps
involves collecting information on the health and educational status of the
internally displaced persons. IOM also intends to conduct surveys of the
camps, as well as return and reintegration operations in other areas of the
country. Between January and June 1995, ICRC provided non-food relief
items to over 35,000 displaced families in Mogadishu, Galcayo and the
north-west. IOM, in collaboration with United Nations agencies and non-
governmental organizations, is monitoring the reintegration efforts of
returnees in areas of resettlement. Some 185,000 people have been
displaced since November 1994 as a result of renewed conflict in the north-
west, and WFP has provided emergency food rations to a portion of this
conflict-affected population.
I. De-mining and demobilization
33. An essential component for the full recovery and reconstruction of
Somalia is an effective process of de-mining and demobilization of
combatants. Towards this end, United Nations agencies and their partners
are pursuing initiatives aimed at supporting this process and contributing
to a climate of peace and security in the country. Some 2,000 former
combatants are assisted per month in WFP-supported farm rehabilitation
projects as well as vocational training programmes that enable ex-militia
to acquire income-earning skills. UNESCO and UNHCR continue implementation
of a mine awareness programme covering 36 towns and villages in the north-
west. The mine awareness package developed by UNESCO for Somalia contains
cloth charts, leaflets and other mine-warning educational materials,
including a low-cost video. As part of its education-for-peace strategy,
UNESCO commissioned a play promoting demobilization and disarmament, which
has so far been staged in 15 district headquarters in four regions, for a
cumulative total audience of 69,200 people. The play is also being
distributed in the form of video and audio tapes. UNDP is formulating a
project that will support the socio-economic reintegration of demobilized
militia and other war-affected populations in Somalia. The project's
participatory community-based approach will encourage the process of
voluntary demobilization and sustainable reintegration of ex-militia
through the creation of viable economic alternatives.
III. RECONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES AND EFFORTS
34. While recognizing that the humanitarian situation in Somalia remains
fragile, United Nations agencies are committed to undertake efforts to
begin the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction even before the
achievement of national reconciliation, without prejudice to the provision
of emergency relief assistance wherever and whenever required. One year
after the adoption of the Declaration of the Fourth Coordination Meeting on
Humanitarian Assistance for Somalia, held at Addis Ababa from 29 November
to 1 December 1993, which defined the conditions for aid activities in
Somalia, donors and other international partners reviewed the criteria for
continuing their rehabilitation and development assistance to the country.
That review resulted in the adoption by the Somalia Aid Coordination Body
(SACB) on 17 February 1995 of a Code of Conduct for International
Rehabilitation and Development Assistance to Somalia. SACB comprises
donors, United Nations agencies and international organizations, including
international non-governmental organizations.
35. The Code of Conduct reaffirmed the willingness of donors, United
Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations to
consider rehabilitation and development assistance in areas where a number
of conditions are fulfilled, and stressed the necessity of moving towards
the establishment of a more stable environment which will permit Somali and
international organizations to operate in safety and security, and at a
lower operational cost. Such an environment will ensure that resources can
be used to maximum effect to promote the welfare of the Somali people,
especially the most vulnerable groups. In the Code of Conduct, the
collective membership of SACB also agreed that international assistance to
Somalia is founded on the basic principle that responsibility for its
effective execution shall remain with the Somali people and that
responsible Somali authorities are therefore expected to assume their
proper role to ensure that conditions exist for the effective
implementation of aid activities.
36. The Code of Conduct outlines a set of principles that define the
circumstances required for the successful and sustainable implementation of
rehabilitation and development assistance. For their part, the responsible
Somali authorities must guarantee that secure conditions prevail for aid
agencies and their staff and that they will pursue and bring to justice the
perpetrators of criminal acts. The responsible Somali authorities must
also provide the necessary conditions for the implementation of
rehabilitation and development activities by providing office and
residential premises to agencies (where available), as well as by allowing
agencies to decide how to meet their own transport and local staffing
needs.
37. The Code of Conduct further calls on responsible Somali authorities to
exempt all aid personnel and aid-related cargo from duties, taxes and other
forms of levy and to publish a scale of reasonable tariffs for the payment
of services rendered at the demand of an agency for the clearance of aid
cargo at ports and airports. In return, international aid agencies working
with the Somali people will maintain impartiality in the conduct of their
activities, develop a coordinated approach to programme implementation and
pay due regard to local social customs and cultural and religious values.
SACB is closely monitoring the implementation of the Code of Conduct with a
view to advising donors and international partners to take appropriate
action whenever deemed necessary, including suspension of activities.
38. To pursue rehabilitation in the absence of a central government, the
United Nations strategy in Somalia focuses on the implementation of
community-based interventions aimed at rebuilding local infrastructures and
increasing the self-reliance of the local population. Implementation of
the UNDP-funded Somalia Rural Rehabilitation Programme continues, with area
offices established at Boroma, Burao, Bossaso and Baidoa and sub-offices at
Gabiley and Hargeisa. The Programme strives to revitalize local economies
and build the capacity of communities through the introduction of a
multisectoral package of sustainable rehabilitation projects in which
community members participate fully at all stages of planning and
implementation. The Programme has had considerable positive impact on the
daily lives of people in the target communities through the rehabilitation
of public buildings, schools, community centres, water supplies and health
centres. This has led to a boost of community confidence manifested in a
return of refugees and a higher level of private investment. Implementation
of a similar project, executed by the United Nations Volunteers, for the
integrated agricultural and area development of the Juba Valley started in
December 1994.
39. To complement these rural-based efforts, UNDP and the International
Labour Organization (ILO) are cooperating in the formulation of a programme
to support income-generation and training activities at Baidoa, Bossaso and
Kismayo. The programme will address the problems of poverty and
unemployment among specific sections of the urban population, including
women, youth, internally displaced persons and the disabled. As soon as
security conditions permit, UNDP and the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) are planning to begin implementation of an urban
settlement and management programme at Hargeisa, to provide assistance in
shelter reconstruction, low-cost housing and capacity-building for
municipal authorities.
40. UNDP, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD), continues to provide management support to Somalia's
main ports. While project activities at the port of Mogadishu have been
suspended for security reasons since the withdrawal of UNOSOM, support to
the ports of Kismayo, Berbera and Bossaso has expanded. Assistance
activities include the provision of equipment, training of port management
personnel and support in establishing recognized port authorities that meet
international standards. Similarly, UNDP and the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) continued efforts to re-establish acceptable
standards for safe civil aviation in the country. Since the cessation of
operations at Mogadishu airport in early 1995, assistance has been extended
to upgrade other airports in the country and to establish sustainable
revenue-generating airport systems in collaboration with local authorities.
41. The United Nations Development Office for Somalia, a UNDP project,
continues its efforts to establish the necessary institutional capacity on
which to base a future national planning and economic management mechanism.
Towards this end, the Office is conducting socio-economic surveys and
collecting additional information for the purpose of creating databases
that will assist in the planning and coordination of rehabilitation and
development activities in the country. The Office, in collaboration with
several non-governmental organizations, is also undertaking a series of
studies on local administrative structures in Somalia with a view to
assisting local bodies to develop responsive, equitable and efficient
systems of governance. The Office continues to provide secretariat support
for SACB and its Standing Committee.
42. In preparation for the Fourth World Conference on Women at Beijing,
UNDP assisted Somali women to prepare a country paper for presentation at
the Conference in September 1995. UNDP also organized and coordinated the
participation of Somali women at the Conference and supported several
preparatory workshops held at different locations in Somalia, which made
the selection of participants possible and identified priority issues for
presentation at Beijing. The preparatory workshops also led to the
creation of an umbrella non-governmental organization called the Somali
Women's Organization for National Development. A symposium on the culture
of peace in Somalia was organized by UNESCO at Sana'a, Yemen, in April
1995, in which 70 Somali intellectuals from within and outside Somalia took
part.
IV. COORDINATION ARRANGEMENTS
43. As described in preceding sections of this report, continued political
instability and the absence of central authority in Somalia have increased
the importance of close coordination and cooperation among United Nations
agencies and their partners. The withdrawal of UNOSOM in March 1995 marked
the end of a number of coordination, logistical and other support services
previously available to relief and rehabilitation organizations in the
country. In the months prior to the final departure of UNOSOM, United
Nations agencies and organizations recognized the need for establishing
effective coordination mechanisms for the post-UNOSOM transition period.
Towards this end, the United Nations Coordination Team was established in
October 1994, composed of senior representatives of United Nations agencies
and organizations operational in Somalia.
44. The United Nations Coordination Team is chaired by the UNDP Resident
Representative for Somalia, who also serves as the United Nations Resident
Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the country. The
establishment of the United Nations Coordination Team as the United Nations
inter-agency coordination mechanism for Somalia was endorsed by the Inter-
Agency Standing Committee on Somalia (IASC) in November 1994. In a letter
to the SecretaryGeneral dated 7 December 1994, 1/ the President of the
Security Council, on behalf of the members of the Council, took note of the
IASC statement and welcomed the commitment of the agencies to continue
emergency and rehabilitation activities in post-UNOSOM Somalia. The United
Nations Coordination Team provides a weekly forum for information exchange
and decision-making on the programmes of United Nations agencies, and
provides guidance on achieving greater coherence in policies and approaches
in order to maximize efficiency in the implementation of agency mandates.
The United Nations Coordination Team also cooperates with both
international and national consortia of non-governmental organizations and
works in close collaboration with SACB. The United Nations Coordination
Unit, administered by UNDP, was created to serve as a small technical
secretariat to the Team, as well as to contribute to policy harmonization
and to develop systems for information management and the provision of
common services to operational agencies, including an inter-agency security
system.
45. In order further to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, specialized
sectoral analysis and coordination of activities among United Nations
agencies and the community of non-governmental organizations are being
carried out under the leadership of the organization with the most relevant
mandate and experience in the specific sector. In the health sector,
UNICEF has organized coordination forums involving non-governmental
organizations, United Nations agencies and donors, aimed at formulating
common health strategies and an agreed work plan incorporating the views of
all health agencies. Similar efforts are being undertaken for the
education sector under the lead of UNESCO. The Food Security Assessment
Unit established by WFP collaborates closely with other United Nations
agencies and their partner organizations to monitor the agricultural
situation and provide comprehensive early-warning information for Somalia.
IOM provides the multisectoral coordination necessary for return and
reintegration efforts relating to internally displaced persons. The United
Nations Development Office for Somalia is laying the institutional
foundations to facilitate the coordination of longer-term rehabilitation
and development activities in the country.
46. Coordination of technical support services, including security,
medical evacuation, communications and logistics, is being pursued with a
view to improving the cost-effectiveness of operations through the pooling
of United Nations agency resources. In the area of air transport, a total
of three light aircraft operated by UNICEF, UNDP and WFP, with additional
aircraft under the aegis of the European Community Humanitarian Office, are
available to transport the personnel and cargo of United Nations agencies,
non-governmental organizations and donors to and from Somalia, and a system
is in place to coordinate the flight schedules of these aircraft.
V. IMPACT OF SECURITY PROBLEMS
47. The withdrawal of United Nations military contingents from Somalia in
the first months of 1995 necessitated the temporary evacuation of
international personnel for security reasons. However, a return to
widespread anarchy and disorder following the departure of UNOSOM did not
materialize in the size and scope predicted. As a result, international
agency personnel were able to return to most areas of the country within
weeks after the final departure of United Nations troops. In general, the
security situation in most parts of the country has remained stable enough
to allow the continuation of relief and rehabilitation activities, and
United Nations assistance programmes are being carried out in 15 of the
country's 18 regions, with a total of about 40 United Nations international
personnel posted in different locations at any one time.
48. In spite of the relative stability, inter-clan conflict, violence and
banditry are unfortunately regular occurrences in some areas of the
country, disrupting relief and recovery efforts and endangering the safety
of civilians as well as humanitarian personnel in those areas. Over the
past year, several national relief workers have been killed in Somalia, and
kidnappings, armed attacks, threats and the looting of vehicles and
equipment have persisted, affecting both national and international
personnel. As a result, United Nations agencies and international non-
governmental organizations have been forced temporarily to suspend or
withdraw operations in several locations. Conflict in north-west Somalia
forced United Nations international staff to relocate from Hargeisa in
November 1994 for a five-month period, and from Burao in March 1995.
United Nations operations at Bossaso, Baidoa and Kismayo were temporarily
suspended pending the satisfactory resolution of security threats. The
offices of United Nations agencies at Bardera, Belet Weyn and Galcayo
remained closed over most of the past year owing to security concerns.
49. In Mogadishu, the political and security situation since the UNOSOM
withdrawal has not stabilized sufficiently to allow the return of United
Nations international staff on a permanent basis. Based on the findings of
a security assessment mission to the city in April 1995, the United Nations
Security Coordinator decided to allow the return of a limited number of
essential and emergency-related international staff to Mogadishu on the
condition that the personnel remain for a period not to exceed three days
per week. Since then, the security situation in Mogadishu has
deteriorated, with increased incidents of banditry and lawlessness
perpetrated by armed groups on the streets of the city. The tense
atmosphere in Mogadishu is compounded by widespread unemployment and by the
political developments of June 1995. In view of the situation, United
Nations agencies maintain the operation of their programmes in the city
through their national officers. While some international non-governmental
organizations continue to operate in Mogadishu, the presence of expatriate
staff is minimal.
50. In March 1995, the main political factions in Mogadishu formed a joint
committee to take over the operation and management of the seaport and the
main international airport in the city. The airport has, however, remained
closed since the UNOSOM withdrawal. The seaport has remained operational
under the supervision of the joint committee, but inter-factional clashes
and labour disputes have resulted in frequent cessations of port
operations. The first United Nations vessel to arrive in Mogadishu since
UNOSOM left the city, a UNICEF-chartered ship, docked at the port in late
April 1995 and was able to unload its medical and educational supplies
safely. The continued closure of the airport and the uncertain future of
seaport operations severely affects the ability of the United Nations and
its partners to deliver relief and rehabilitation supplies to the city,
which in turn impacts operations throughout Somalia, particularly for the
south-central regions. As a result, creative and alternate means of
transporting commodities to Somalia are required.
51. In the face of political instability and insecurity, United Nations
agencies in the post-UNOSOM period have adopted common strategies for
protecting the safety and security of personnel and property in the
country. These strategies include maintaining a constant dialogue with
local authorities, seeking acceptance of the Code of Conduct for
International Rehabilitation and Development Assistance to Somalia and
other guarantees of security from community leaders in areas of operation
and taking collective action when confronted with security threats. For
example, as a result of threats made to personnel of one United Nations
agency at Bossaso in April 1995, the offices of all United Nations agencies
in the town were closed. This concerted action by the United Nations
agencies had the effect of convincing community leaders to take measures to
ensure the protection of United Nations personnel, and the offices were re-
opened three weeks later.
52. As part of efforts to coordinate technical support services, a common
security network has been developed, utilizing the shared resources of
United Nations agencies, under the direction of the United Nations
Coordination Team. The inter-agency security plan includes the posting of
security officers of the United Nations Coordination Team to cover all
areas where Nations agencies are operational, the regular monitoring and
assessment of the security situation throughout Somalia and the
establishment of adequate evacuation and preparedness plans in cases of
emergency. While these security measures are undertaken to enable the
provision of assistance to affected populations, United Nations agencies
will only operate in areas where reasonable assurances of security can be
obtained. In this regard, the responsibility for ensuring the safety and
security of staff members and property of the humanitarian organizations
rests primarily with the Somali people.
VI. ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY MEMBER STATES
53. In addition to the activities described above, several Member States
have provided information on assistance to Somalia in compliance with
General Assembly resolution 49/21 L.
Finland
54. As of June 1995, the Government of Finland had contributed Fmk
1,000,000 in assistance to Somalia under the auspices of ICRC. Finland is
processing a contribution to Somalia via UNHCR.
Germany
55. From 1992 through 1994, humanitarian assistance to Somalia provided by
the Government of Germany totalled DM 137,256,376. Of this amount, DM
53,833,800 constitutes Germany's portion of the assistance rendered by the
European Union. A contribution under the current United Nations inter-
agency consolidated appeal is under consideration.
Ireland
56. In 1994, the Government of Ireland contributed, through the Irish
Battalion of UNOSOM, a total of LIr 37,895.82 in humanitarian assistance to
Somalia. Of this amount LIr 27,895.82 went to the humanitarian relief
programme in Baidoa, while LIr 10,000 went towards emergency assistance for
relief operations in Baidoa. In 1995, a donation of LIr 272,591 was made
to the Irish non-governmental organization Trocaire for rehabilitation
assistance in the health and education sectors.
57. In fiscal year 1994, the Government of Japan provided US$ 2 million
for assistance to Somali refugees in Kenya, US$ 200,000 for assistance to
Somali refugees in Djibouti, and US$ 1.5 million for the repatriation of
Somali refugees in Kenya and under the cross border operation. All of
these contributions were made to UNHCR. The Government of Japan also
provided a total of US$ 11,320,000 to WFP towards assistance for African
refugees affected by the conflicts in Somalia, Liberia and the Sudan.
Luxembourg
58. In 1993, the Government of Luxembourg provided US$ 57,877 for
emergency and humanitarian assistance to Somalia.
Yemen
59. Despite its economic difficulties, Yemen is currently sheltering more
than 60,000 Somali refugees in its cities and is doing so in cooperation
with UNHCR. Yemen, in cooperation with UNESCO, hosted a seminar from 17 to
20 April 1995 entitled "A culture of peace in Somalia". It was attended by
70 Somali intellectuals representing various regions and political trends.
At the seminar, an appeal was made for a halt to violence and for
commitment to the peace and reconciliation process with a view to
rebuilding Somalia.
VII. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS
60. Since the last report of the Secretary-General on assistance for
humanitarian relief and the economic and social rehabilitation of Somalia
(A/49/456), the country, while the current situation remains fragile, has
slowly moved towards recovery and reconstruction. However, insecurity in
many areas of the country continues to affect negatively the pace of
recovery and has prolonged the need for humanitarian assistance,
particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Faced with continued
inter-clan conflict and the absence of central authority, Somalia continues
to suffer from a chronic crisis of governance characterized by banditry,
political instability, violence and the threat of a renewed full-scale
civil war. While the overall humanitarian situation in Somalia has
improved over the past year, these gains remain precarious in the absence
of peace and effective civil institutions.
61. Until March 1995, UNOSOM continued to provide an umbrella structure
for the humanitarian operations of United Nations agencies and non-
governmental organizations, as well as substantial logistical support for
the resettlement of internally displaced persons and military escorts for
humanitarian convoys. In late 1994, United Nations agencies and
organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continue operations in the
country beyond the termination of the mandate of UNOSOM, in cooperation
with the Somali people and subject to favourable security conditions.
Following the departure of UNOSOM in early 1995, 8 organizations of the
United Nations system have maintained and in some cases expanded their
humanitarian and rehabilitation activities in 15 of the country's 18
regions. Some 40 international non-governmental organizations maintain a
presence in the country, playing a critical role in the relief and
rehabilitation process.
62. In a context of political unrest, United Nations agencies in the post-
UNOSOM period have developed appropriate strategies to maintain effective
operations and ensure that their relief and rehabilitation activities have
the most positive impact on the intended beneficiaries. United Nations
agencies and organizations have focused on community-based efforts,
adopting a low-profile regional approach and maintaining operational
centres in those areas where security of personnel can be guaranteed.
United Nations agencies are taking a flexible approach in their
relationships with the variety of local authorities and the growing number
of regional administrations that are being established in various areas of
Somalia. The current situation in the country has underscored the
importance of effective coordination of activities and policies among
United Nations agencies and their partners, and appropriate measures have
been taken to increase and enhance inter-agency cooperation in Somalia.
One form of such cooperation is the direct link that the United Nations
agencies have established and maintained with the international donor
community at the field level through the SACB.
63. The situation in Somalia poses a question for the international
community: how can agencies obtain funding for humanitarian assistance in a
situation where the emergency has receded but the country is far from out
of danger? In the absence of national institutions capable of coping even
with minor emergencies, Somalia will continue to remain vulnerable to
future disasters. How then can the transition from relief to
reconstruction occur when the balance can be so easily tipped, and the
gains made over the past three years through the combined efforts of
international relief agencies and committed Somali partners so easily
undone?
64. What is sorely required in today's Somalia is a commitment from donors
to proactively support the presence and targeted programmes of United
Nations agencies and organizations so as to prevent Somalia from slipping
back into another period of acute crisis. I take this opportunity to ask
donors to support generously current efforts to assist the Somali people.
Such efforts can help Somalis sustain a process of rehabilitation and
reconstruction, thus enabling them to move away from the destructive
process which has threatened to consume their country.
Notes
1/ S/1994/1393.
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