Xudur (RBC) The fluidity of the security situation in southern Somalia was underscored in March, when 2,500 people fled Xudur in Bakool region after Ethiopian troops withdrew on 17 March. Al Shabaab quickly filled the vacuum and regained control of the town for the first time in a year, UNOCHA said in a report.
Al Shabaab had surrounded Xudur since it was taken by Ethiopian and Government-aligned forces in March 2012, and had imposed an economic blockade. Humanitarian partners had only been able to deliver limited humanitarian assistance, mostly through air delivery.
The majority of those who fled from Xudur walked towards Ceel Barde, about 90 km to the north on the Somalia border with Ethiopia. The journey by foot takes about three days and five persons reportedly died from dehydration en route. With the arrival of 2,500 people from Xudur, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Ceel Barde increased to close to 5,800, which includes pro-tracted displaced people in the location and vulnerable host communities.
Response in key areas, such as health, food security, nutrition, shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene, began immediately. Key gaps reported include urgent emergency shelter. Malnutrition levels are also of concern following a rapid assessment conducted by nutrition partners in early April.
The assessment showed high malnutrition rates among the assessed children, both among residents in Ceel Barde and the newly displaced. Though this was a rapid assessment, the situation is worrying according to nutrition partners. However, the mounted response, which needs to be maintained, is likely to curtail any deterioration of the situation. Heavy rains, coupled with a lack of sanitation facilities and proper shelters and a compromised hygiene situation during the lean period, could also lead to disease outbreaks, which would worsen the nutrition situation. Flights and trucks with emergency supplies including food assistance have been sent to support the response, arriving in March and April.
Humanitarian access restrictions remain
Despite overall security improvements, the continuing instability in parts of Somalia and access restrictions for humanitarian workers remain major obstacles to aid delivery. Humanitarian partners report that the livelihood programmes in Bakool and Bay in southern Somalia may be affected by insecurity in the Bakool region. This could impact on the planting and harvest season if the situation deteriorates. Bay is one of the regions considered as a bread basket for Somalia.
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