nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
25 November marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, that kicks off the global campaign for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. Activities in November raised awareness on the rights of women and girls as well as particular issues of concern in Somalia, such as domestic violence, child labor, female genital mutilation and child marriage.
To enhance child protection, a group therapy session was conducted for 30 mothers in Mogadishu, during which they took part in a five day psychosocial support training where they were taught about the effects of trauma and healthy parenting skills, while participating in experience sharing sessions.
These results underscore the underlying vulnerability of IDP populations. Morbidity rates were high  ( ≥ 20% )  among some IDP population groups: Garowe IDPs, Galkacyo IDPs, Mogadishu IDPs, and Baidoa IDPs. The Crude Death Rate  ( CDR )  and the Under Five Death Rate  ( U5DR )  were low across most IDP population groups.
Those most vulnerable to health risks are displaced people, pregnant and lactating women, young children,unvaccinated children, single headed households, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and those with mental health disorders. These individuals become more vulnerable when healthcare is inaccessible and of poor quality.
Most KIs recognize that COVID 19 is a health risk that needs to be taken seriously. Some KIs also seemed to over estimate the seriousness of the virus compared to other diseases with 52% indicating that COVID 19 is more dangerous than cancer
In Somalia, desert locust infestations have been mostly confined to the northern and central regions since the beginning of 2020. Government led control operations are making good progress against Desert locust swarms in Somaliland and Puntland. Despite these ongoing efforts, Desert locusts have caused damage to cereal crops, vegetables, fruit trees and pasture in northern and central regions.
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  20% and 27% of Households IDP and non IDP settlements reported education of their children had been disrupted as a result of the COVID 19 outbreak.
Somalia confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  in Mogadishu 16 March.
Testing and contact tracing are ongoing, including in overcrowded IDP settlements.
Violence against aid workers, including abduction and arrest, harassment and forcible seizure of assets and restrictions on road movement by parties to conflicts, continue to obstruct the ability of humanitarian workers to reach persons in need.
On availability of services 62% of the respondents agreed on the availability of service to support children cope with stress in their respective camps. And 22% noted group counseling while 21% noted individual counseling among other services are available to children.
IOM in coordination with the Somalia Immigration and Naturalization Directorate and Ministry of Health of Somalia, conducted a training for 40 frontline immigration officers and healthcare workers based in Aden Abdulle International Airport  ( AAIA )  and Mogadishu seaport funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The training highlighted the importance of collaboration between front line immigration and healthcare workers to prevent, detect, and respond to the spread of diseases, such as COVID 19, along all points of entry in Somalia.
Negative coping practices as a result of poverty, displacement and isolation due to the crisis, that have also been exacerbated by COVID 19, place the affected at increased risk of violence, abuse and marginalization, as well as negatively affecting their healthcare choices and access.
The 2020 Gu season rainfall has been favorable in most pastoral areas, with a positive impact on the food security and livelihoods of pastoral households. Some of the poor pastoral households in northern and central Somalia continue to face moderate to large food consumption gaps, as they have a limited number of livestock to help them cope with the various shocks, both during the current and projection periods.
WHO declared COVID 19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The first case in Somalia was confirmed on 16 March 2020. Domestic flights were resumed on 5 July 2020. As of 31 August there were 3,310 confirmed cases of COVID 19.
[ NUTRITION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  The highest percentage of households per Nutrition LSG severity score, per population group for IDP settlement was 43% for severe and lowest was 3% for no or minimal. Similarly highest percentage of households per Nutrition LSG severity score, per population group for Non IDP settlement was 59% for severe and lowest was 1% for no or minimal.
[ WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE  ( WASH )  LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  Proportion of households of non IDP settlements reporting not having sufficient water for the following purposes were Not enough water for cooking, bathing, washing, and other domestic uses ( 32% ) , Not enough water for domestic purposes only  ( 8% ) ,Not enough water for personal hygiene only  ( 79% ) .
In Mogadishu, UNHCR, through Mercy Corps, rehabilitated/constructed two blocks of toilets with separate units for boys and girls, two separate septic tanks and two elevated storage water tanks.
Access to basic WASH services remains a priority for around one third of the IDPs  ( 0.8M )  in the country. In those settings, users of WASH facilities, especially women and children, are usually at higher risk of violence or other protection related issues.
School closures   even when temporary   carry high social and economic costs. The disruptions they cause touch people across communities, but their impact is particularly severe for disadvantaged girls and boys, and their families. In addition to limiting opportunities for growth and development, school closures deprive children of the protection, nutrition, water and sanitation and health services they normally receive while in school. Children no longer receive key life skills education and support including protection awareness on gender based violence, menstrual hygiene management, psychosocial support, and conflict resolution and management. The disadvantages are disproportionate for under privileged learners who tend to have fewer educational opportunities beyond school. In the absence of alternative options, working parents often leave children alone when schools close and this can lead to risky behaviors, including increased influence of peer pressure and substance abuse.
Support from Government ministries is vital to encourage people to use face masks. At the moment, it is difficult to prompt mask behaviour change when such messages are not being provided from Government authorities.
There is a need for service providers to target 508 IDP sites that are critically at risk of widespread COVID 19 transmission due to overcrowding, gaps in water access and lack of exposure to humanitarian information
The Protection Cluster/UNHCR supported the inter agency rapid assessment carried out 24 30 November to assess the needs of individuals affected by Cyclone Gati.
Covid 10 related restrictions have further hindered the already inadequate socioeconomic situation of persons of concern. To help displaced families meet their basic needs, in November, UNHCR distributed cash grants to 2,128 refugee households, 58 asylum seeker households and 30 returnee households.
In Baidoa, both local cereals and imported food items prices decreased compared to last week due to improved availability. For instance, local cereals decreased by  3% to   10% and imported food items decreased by  1% to  20%.
These differences are notably starker when urban rural cleavages are taken into account; the proportion of people experiencing severe multidimensional poverty in rural areas is 87% compared to 30% in urban areas.
In November 2020, the HLP Area of Responsibility  ( AoR )  reached 9,556 individuals  ( 60 per cent female )  with HLP services in Somalia. Activities included the provision of cash to cope with evictions and the protection of IDPs from forced evictions through preventive engagements such as information sessions, awareness campaigns, trainings and legal aid service provision
Since the first case of COVID 19 in March 2020 Somalia has faced a widening gap between men and women in some aspects of health, economic opportunities and well being. Available data shows that twice as many men as women were tested for COVID 19
Limited funding and capacity to respond to the increasing number of forced evictions, specifically in inaccessible areas, remains challenging.Lack of clarity between lawful and unlawful evictions.
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  29% of the households of IDP settlements reported that it takes less than 15 minutes to reach to the nearest education facility while 20% and 10% of the households of IDP settlements reported it takes 15 30 minutes and 30 60minutes to reach to the nearest education facility respectively. Only 1% of the households of IDP settlements reported that it takes 1 3 hours to reach to the nearest education facility.
From January to December 2020, UNICEF supported nutrition facilities reached 245,296 children under five years affected by severe wasting  ( 58.5 per cent girls ) . The total admissions of 2020 exceeded the UNICEF target for the year by 83.7 per cent for severe acute malnutrition  ( SAM )  with over a 90 per cent recovery rate
[ PROTECTION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  6% and 3% of households of IDP settlements and Non IDP settlement reported areas in their community where girls or women do not feel safe.
By the end of the polio campaign, 2,810,798 children were reached representing 97.1% coverage of the target, with 1.5% being vaccinated for the first time. 477,460 were 0 11 months, 2,333,338 were 12 59 months.
Notwithstanding ongoing locust control efforts, preliminary estimates indicate that the overall 2020 Gu' season crop harvest could be 15 to 25 per cent lower than the long term average, due to the combined impacts of Desert Locusts and other pest infestation and flooding.
In Togdheer region. Somaliland, humanitarian agencies are installing hand washing facilities, conducting awareness campaigns, and distributing hygiene kits and IEC materials to IDPs and host communities. UNICEF has drilled a borehole in Burco and distributed hygiene kits to 18,000 IDPs. However, the region faces gaps in availability of PPEs and ambulances.
UNHCR's overall requirements for the Somalia situation in 2020 stand at $425.7 million. As of 25 August 2020, $62.9 million has been received. Flexible and country level funds received by UNHCR have allowed the organization to allocate an additional $111.6 million to the Somali situation, raising the current funding level to 41%
In Bulo Burti, the river level is at high risk level of 7.00m and is expected to increase further. The river level at Jowhar remains high and is at 4.90m as of today.
The CCCM Cluster's COVID 19 budget requirement remains 68 per cent unfunded
Vulnerable groups are more at risk of distress, such as frontline healthcare workers, first responders, older adults and people with pre existing health conditions or those who have been infected by the virus, children and adolescents, and women.
[ NUTRITION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  14% of the households of non IDP settlements reported that it takes less than 15 minutes to reach to the nearest nutrition facility while 62%, 7% and 3% of the households of non IDP settlements reported it takes 15 30 minutes, 30 60minutes and 1 3 hours to reach to the nearest nutrition facility respectively.
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  92% of IDP settlement and 79% of non IDP settlement households found with a Education Living Standard Gaps  ( LSG ) .
Community Health Workers were supported to disseminate key messages promoting well being during the pandemic, such as managing fear and anxiety, and addressing social stigma related to COVID 19. In addition, 9,532 individuals were reached with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support  ( MHPSS )  key messages at supported health facilities and communities.
The impact of COVID 19, restriction measures taken to control the pandemic as well as seasonal floods and conflict have had a devastating impact on child protection and may have long lasting consequences.
In November 2020, the Child Protection AoR partners reached 177,409 people including 101,041 children with various child protection services including messaging, psychosocial support services, case management, family tracing and reunification, alternative care and reintegration of children associated with armed forces and groups
Additional support for cash assistance to the most vulnerable PoCs considering the increasing impact of COVID 19 on livelihood opportunities;
In Somaliland, over 400 students were reached with prevention messages following reported cases from two boarding schools.
Partners developed, printed and distributed COVID 19 prevention Information Education Communication  ( IEC )  Materials  ( posters, brochures, and billboards etc. )  to health facilities in the states.
[ NUTRITION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  27% of the households of IDP settlements reported that it takes less than 15 minutes to reach to the nearest nutrition facility while 41%, 24% and 6%of the households of IDP settlements reported it takes 15 30 minutes, 30 60minutes and 1 3 hours to reach to the nearest nutrition facility respectively.
Given the frequency of hazards affecting rural areas of Somalia, strengthened early warning systems are needed to inform more timely and appropriate anticipatory actions in advance of future shocks. Additionally, close monitoring of upcoming Gu seasonal forecasts is needed as Deyr seasonal performance to date has been mixed.
By June 2019, the compounded effect of several years of drought had caused widespread crop failure, reduced livestock profitability – and the displacement of 53 000 people from the worst affected communities. These joined an estimated 2.6 million Somalis already displaced by other factors, including war.
Flooding contributed to increased acute watery diarrhea  ( AWD ) /cholera , while average rains created a conducive environment for further locust breeding.
The Juba and Shabelle perennial rivers in southern Somalia are important sources of water for daily use such as irrigation, food production and sustaining livestock herds during periods of serious drought. The absence of dependable water resource management institutions due to ongoing conflict has led to severe degradation of water resources.
As of 21 December, the Shelter Cluster is only 35 per cent funded, which continues to affect the implementation of planned activities to reduce overcrowding.
Al Shabaab, the radical Islamist movement which has terrorised Somalia and other nations in recent years, has been somewhat successfully restrained since the height of its power in 2011. This confluence of dynamics, however, could sow the seeds for a renewal of their violence, which would pose a significant threat to Somali stability, during what is a crucial moment for their fragile democracy.
[ PROTECTION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  88% and 91% of households of IDP settlements and Non IDP settlement reported no awareness of medical, legal, or psychological services to address incidents of GBV.
The COVID 19 pandemic presents direct and indirect impacts on food insecurity in Somalia. As of June 30, 2,904 cases of COVID 19 have been confirmed in Somalia.
UNICEF reached a total of 49,044 children and caregivers in IDP and host communities with mental health and psychosocial support  ( MHPSS )  services such as psychological first aid, structured activities and group counselling in 2020.
All these trends are likely to continue through 2020, with the virus acting as a ‘force multiplier', making the needs of people of concern to the Office more acute and more complicated to address. UNHCR has already take steps to invest more in key areas in response to the protection, public health and socio economic impacts of COVID 19 on people of concern. This includes ramping up cash assistance, which is fast, safe and can help cover rent, food, and other basic needs that arise for refugees and displaced persons. Water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter capacity, and health services are all being reassessed to take into account COVID 19 prevention and response. It includes partnerships, especially at the national level, in which UNHCR has already invested considerably in the context of the Grand Bargain and the Global Compact on Refugees, and which are even more indispensable in the midst of a pandemic as
[ PROTECTION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  Most commonly reported areas in the community where girls and/or women do not feel safe were: When leaving settlement/town  ( 46% ) , at water points  ( 41% )  and On the way to markets  ( 37% ) .
Many people remain in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, and shelter and non food items have been identified as priority needs within Somalia.
The country has been facing a series of challenges in 2020, including COVID 19, riverine and flash flooding and an infestation of desert locusts, all of which are compounded by ongoing armed conflict.
All main roads in Puntland are accessible and transport services from upstream to downstream markets are normal. In addition, port operations in Bossaso are ongoing smoothly and cross border with Ethiopia is ongoing normally and goods moving from both sides.
A total of 426,696 households were reached in November by the integrated community rapid response teams with key health messages containing basic information on COVID 19 symptoms, transmission, testing and prevention measures, including the importance of using face masks
Recent violent anti government protests have already resulted in civilian deaths, and the run up to the 2021 elections will likely see more protest and violence. Political controversies, such as the government's recent decision to go ahead with unilateral elections, will undeniably galvanise further political and civilian resistance.
UNHCR distributed solar lamps to 136 vulnerable IDPs, refugees and asylum seekers residing in north Galkayo. Beneficiaries included persons with disabilities and vulnerable women
The gaps in funding may be a cause of concern in early 2021 before mainstream funding is received. Sustained financing and continued commitments from donors are required to fund ongoing activities and ensure continuity of priority humanitarian programming in early 2021.
A total of 925 community rapid response teams were deployed in 51 districts and the community level in 51 priority districts.Community rapid response teams reached 2,0433,57 individuals in 9,840 settlements. These included 166,038 households in urban areas, 172,242 in rural areas, 43,225 in IDP settlements and 39,192 in nomadic settlements.
In November, UNHCR and partners provided 978 beneficiaries with various forms of livelihood support across the country. Strengthening access of UNHCR's persons of concern to livelihoods and income generation opportunities is increasingly vital, due to economic challenges caused by the outbreak of Covid 19.
In Qansaxdhere, prices of local cereals and imported food items increased compared to last week by 3% to 9% and are high due to scarcity.
The 2020 JMCNA results indicate that more than 3 per cent of all 2.6 million IDPs have extreme needs  ( severity 4 ) , and 50 per cent severe needs  ( severity 3 ) , while the remainder are characterized as stressed  ( severity 2 )
In addition to this, the HLP AoR responded to 10,000 forced evictions and HLP AoR members and partners conducted eight eviction assessments that informed the response
To better understand the effect of the crisis on Somalia's private sector, the World Bank Group  ( WBG )  and United Nations Industrial Development Organization, with support from the Somali Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Somali Chamber of Commerce, undertook a survey of businesses in the country in June and July 2020. The survey covered 550 formal businesses, including micro enterprises, across five cities in the country: Baioda, Beled weyne, Bosasso, Kismayo and Mogadishu. Unsurprisingly, the survey found that COVID 19 has inflicted deep and widespread impacts on Somalia's private sector, contracting sales and employment by about 30% and leaving most firms with liquidity challenges.
More than 1.6 million displaced people are in urgent need of improved transitional and permanent shelters that offer more protection, privacy and dignity over longer periods of time. Of this, 1.3 million are in severe need of basic shelter while 191,000 reported catastrophic conditions.
Businesses implemented several adjustments to minimize the impact of the shock. Changes to working hours and the workforce were the most common adjustments, which included a reduction in working hours  ( 68% ) , wage reduction  ( 59% ) , and laying off temporary  ( 64% )  and permanent  ( 57% )  employees. Half of the firms surveyed started online business activity, while 36% increased delivery and carryout services. About 15% of the firms adapted their products or services to cater to changing demand.
The loss of sales has negatively impacted the financial health of businesses, with 90 percent of firms facing liquidity and cash flow challenges.
The first case of COVID 19 in Somalia was confirmed on 16 March, and there were 3,310 cases and 97 deaths as at 31 August.
About 36 per cent of non IDP households must travel more than 30 minutes to reach a hospital, with 12 per cent travelling over 1 hour to access health services. The vast majority of non IDPs access medical care by foot.
Lack of education and skills for many RAS  ( Refugee and Asylum seekers )  reduces the chances for economic opportunities. As a result, they engage in informal manual labour, that further exposes them to abuses from the host community. Military operations by security forces, inter clan clashes and natural disasters may worsen the protection environment in return areas.
77% of all KIs reported being aware of any COVID 19 cases in their community. This percentage is very high. Respondents might have either misunderstood the question or included suspected COVID 19 cases that have not been confirmed
The East Africa region is currently in an unprecedented state of emergency that will likely result in financial hardship across all levels of society – but especially for the most vulnerable – and will resonate long after the crisis is over. So looking beyond the immediate crisis of Covid 19, regulations put in place now can have a long lasting impact that mitigates the effect of evictions on the most vulnerable
RAS  ( Regugees and Assylum seekers )  face a range of protection problems, including xenophobia, risk of refoulement, arbitrary arrest, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, and lack of clan affiliation. Many disputes in Somalia are settled through the clan system, and RAS accessing the formal legal system most of the time face retaliation.
[ PRE EXISTING VULNERABILITIES ]  79% households reporting not having any working household members
[ PRE EXISTING VULNERABILITIES ]  23% households with at least one pregnant and/or lactating woman.
[ PRE EXISTING VULNERABILITIES ]  18% households with at least one person with a chronic illness which lasted 3 months or longer at the time of the data collection
32 workers from Jubaland Ministry of Health  ( Kismayo, Doolow, Dhobley )  and South West State  ( Baidoa and Xudur )  incentivised by IOM to offer health screening at PoEs.
In Somaliland, close to 300,000 hectares of land have been affected, risking food insecurity for about 200,000 people  ( 37,500 households ) .
Four national humanitarian workers were killed in three armed attacks in October, bringing the total number of aid workers killed in 2020 to 15 people.
Although both displaced and non displaced households live in similarly crowded and dense conditions, displaced households are more in need of shelter and basic non food items. There is a marked difference between the quality, as well as the security and safety conditions, of shelters used by displaced groups and groups that are not displaced.
2,070  ( 28,467 girls )  children reached with educational assistance, 54,691  ( 25,117 girls )  school children reached with COVID 19 prevention and control messages through print materials, and 23,861  ( 10,874 girls )  children reached with COVID 19 prevention and control messages through radio.
These  [ the Federal Government and members states have initiated a number of responses to coronavirus ]  include 51 measures to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID 19 in Somalia. However, all key ports remain operational  ( Mogadishu, Kismayo, Berbera, and Bossaso )  in addition to the Berbera corridor. Airports continue to be open for cargo but closed for passengers.
An estimated 15 per cent of Somalia's population live with some form of disability. In addition, the Shelter Cluster has identified 237 IDP sites that host over 98,000 IDP households as high risk sites for virus transmission.
The target has gone up because the Education Cluster is trying to reach as many as possible of more than 1.1 million children who are now out of school due to school closures.
In November, no new confirmed Covid 19 cases were recorded among UNHCR's PoCs. In Hargeisa, 20 refugees departing for countries of origin were tested for Covid 19 at a UNHCR partner operated clinic, as a travel prerequisite.
UNHCR distributed food as part of Covid 19 pandemic response to 169 assisted returnees in Bossaso in November. Furthermore, in Hargeisa, a total of 11,641 refugees and asylum seekers received food, concluding the four month food distribution to all refugees and asylum seekers
To increase awareness on Covid 19 prevention and response, 150 refugees and asylum seekers were consulted through a protection hotline. While the phones calls concerned general protection issues PoCs were facing, all refugees and asylum seekers were also reminded about Covid 19 health protection measures. UNHCR's healthcare partners also continued Covid 19 awareness raising, addressing a total of 120 refugees and asylum seekers who visited the supported clinics during reporting period in Bossaso town.
In Bossaso, the families of 2,452 refugee, asylum seeker and returnee children received cash for scholastic materials. Furthermore, the distribution of cash grants to cover the school fees for 222 returnee children for three months  ( October December ) , was completed in November.
CCCM cluster remains chronically underfunded, with around 10percent of its HRP requirements funded, which hasn't allowed partners to implement some other priority activities such as enhancing site maintenance and improvement activities in priority sites that are vulnerable to the spread of COVID 19, and support Camp Management Committees  ( CMCs )  to promote priority messaging. Low funding level has created a scenario where only 8percent of IDP sites in Banadir are currently being covered by CCCM partners.
In south central, school fees and breakfast were provided to 634 refugee children. In Somaliland, 388 refugee students  ( including 207 girls )  received school uniforms. In south central, 173 refugee students were newly registered.
In November, a total of 1,588 PoCs received primary healthcare, 1,718 PoCs received secondary healthcare and 275 PoCs were referred to partner supported secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
The Shelter Cluster partners continued to construct shelters and distribute NFIs as part of efforts to decongest shelter and settlements to reduce the spread of Covid 19. Human Appeal has completed the construction of shelters along with site development works in Sir Maqabe IDP site in Kaxda District in Banadir region and the hand over of shelters to beneficiaries is planned for mid December.
UNHCR, through partner Wise, conducted a five day capacitybuilding training for community management committees  ( CMCs )  in three locations in Galmudug State on the roles and responsibilities of CMCs, humanitarian standards, protection principles, effective camp coordination and camp management, as well as the importance of community engagement.
In South West State, Shelter Cluster partners have mobilised resources to support at least 6,000 people affected by the floods in Baidoa.
In Galmudug State, a humanitarian partner provided shelter, NFIs and chlorine powder to 120 people displaced by the flooding in south Gaalkacyo.
Active surveillance, including health screening, integrated Food Security Phase Classification  ( IPC )  measures  ( provision of health information, hygiene infrastructure and equipment ) , referrals and data collection are needed at all PoEs in all states.
Along with the PiN, the revised intersectoral people targeted has increased slightly to about 3 million people. Most sectoral PiN . and targets remained the same, except for the PiN for Education and WASH which increased, while the PiN for Food Security and Shelter decreased.
There is scarcity of water in parts of Gedo particularly those far from the river and in Bohol garas and Qooney villages in Luuq District due to harsh Jilaal season leading to price increases. Currently, 200 litres of water is trading at $10 USD.
. CCCM Cluster suspended safety audits, as well as converting trainings and workshops into ‘Communicating with Communities' activities aimed at spreading COVID 19 awareness CCCM team continued to disseminate information to ensure IDPs are aware of the risks, signs and symptoms and mode of transmissions of COVID 19 and know the appropriate mitigation measure to reduce the risks. Awareness raising sessions were conducted at the information centres, marketplaces or during community meetings, focusing on how to practice social distancing. CCCM partners have reached a total of 881 IDP sites with Risk Communication Awareness session on COVID 19 and Community Engagement  ( RCCE )  activities, with a bulk of these activities conducted in joint collaboration with WASH, Health and local authority stakeholders, ensuring that site focal points and leaders are heavily involved.
Flash floods triggered by Deyr  ( October December )  seasonal rains have affected over 73,000 people, mostly in Banadir region – especially the capital of Mogadishu, as well as Jubaland, Galmudug and South West states
The Cash Working Group also compiled and shared best practices from partners on Cash and Voucher Assistance adaptations to COVID 19 to promote learning across the different partners.
CCCM partners have recognized the need to change suspend or postpone some of their activities as a result of the pandemic locust upsurge and flooding, as well as modifying the modes of delivery
The Camp Coordination and Camp Management  ( CCCM )  Cluster has been working in coordination with the Ministry of Health, to address the needs which have arisen due to COVID 19.
Both urban and remote IDP sites remain invariably at risk to COVID19 transmission as overcrowding, dense living conditions create an environment conducive to the spread of COVID 19. The situation remains one of high concern as more displaced people are arriving in camps, moved by both flooding and continuous conflict.
Furthermore, misinformation and false notions of the virus have made it especially difficult for CCCM partners to ensure that behavioral changes are occurring in the aftermath of Risk Communication and Community Engagement  ( RCCE )  exercises.
Up to 2.7 million people across Somalia are expected to face food consumption gaps or depletion of livelihood assets indicative of Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 ]  or worse outcomes through mid 2021 in the absence of humanitarian assistance. The drivers of acute food insecurity in Somalia include the compounding effects of poor and erratic rainfall distribution, flooding, Desert Locust infestation, socioeconomic impacts of COVID 19, and conflict.
The onslaught of the COVID 19 pandemic has had negative implications on household income and human development for IDPs. Certain access restrictions have depressed employment opportunities for IDPs.
( According to the Humanitarian Response Plan )  In total, US$186.2 million is still required to meet the immediate health and humanitarian needs of people in Somalia affected by COVID 19.
Overall, 19 per cent of IDPs reported living in sub standard shelter, affecting their ability to live dignified lives, while in over 80 per cent of IDP sites, buuls  ( traditional or makeshift shelters )  are a commonly used shelter type that do not provide adequate protection against weather elements, privacy or living space.
Currently, priority interventions and funding are focused on limiting the spread of the virus through supporting risk management and infection prevention and control  ( IPC )  measures both in the community and at the facility level. In addition, surveillance, rapid response teams, and laboratory testing are being prioritised to enable quick identification, diagnosis and tracing of all suspected cases. Furthermore, efforts are underway to increase the number of ICUs and isolation centers, and ensure sufficient services are provided within them. Procurement of PPEs, generators and ventilators have also been expedited in order to increase overall capacity to respond.
Due to the spread of COVID 19 all the schools across Somalia were closed in mid March by the government as a precautionary measure.
A total of US$39.4 million have been received to implement the activities under the Somalia component of the COVID 19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan  ( CPRP ) , meeting 17.5 per cent of the CPRP funding requirements. Almost half  ( US$19.4 million )  has been provided for distribution across multiple clusters, including health, protection, nutrition and WASH. The remaining funds have been allocated primarily for health, education, food security and protection, with smaller contributions for CCCM, Enabling Programmes and WASH.
While adjusting the current response and modalities to ensure that the COVID 19 outbreak is contained, clusters and partners are also working towards ensuring the continuity of the activities planned under the 2020 HRP.
Specifically, large scale distributions and school feeding programmes have been suspended, face to face services and in person monitoring and trainings have been minimised or suspended.
Integrated interventions should be provided to support recovery and prevent deterioration in the nutrition situation.
The WASH Cluster aims to reach 2.7 million people in need of assistance with emergency WASH services, including improved access to sufficient water and sanitation, and improve critical hygiene practices through awareness raising and distribution of key hygiene items. In November, the WASH Cluster reached 1.6 million people  ( 59 per cent of the target )  with hygiene kits and hygiene promotion, 43 per cent with temporary water supply, 30 per cent with sanitation and 55 per cent with sustained access to safe water.
WHO is leading the health response, including support to the national plans of the Federal Government of Somalia  ( FGS ) . A UN wide technical task force has been formed from the Agencies, Funds and Programmes  ( AFP ) , to support the Government. The Health and WASH Clusters are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health  ( FMoH ) , along with WHO in support of COVID 19 preparedness, planning and response and is focusing on the following 10 strategic response areas: 1. Country level coordination,planning and monitoring; 2. Risk Communication and Community Engagement; 3. Surveillance, rapid response teams and case investigation; 4. Points of Entry; 5. National laboratories; 6. Infection, prevention and control; 7. Case management; 8. Operational Support and Logistics; 9. Essential health services; 10. Psychological care.
This unprecedented closure of schools has long lasting implications in the lives of girls and boys, depriving them of learning and social engagement, impacting the mental health and risk of disengagement with school system resulting in drop out in the long run. Disruptions to instructional time in the classroom can have a severe impact on a child's ability to learn.
( According to Humanitarian Response Plan )  In addition to the constraints imposed by COVID 19, most clusters are underfunded, requiring partners to further reduce activities.
In Galkayo, fuel prices, both petrol and diesel increased by 5% compared to last week
( Humanitarian Response Plans says  ) Gender based violence referral, mental health services and psychosocial support must be expanded.
[ PROTECTION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  89% and 86% of households of IDP settlements and Non IDP settlement reported gender based violence  ( GBV )  related incidents against anybody in their community in the 30 days prior to data collection.
About 1.6 million IDPs are in severe need of healthcare protection to reduce severity of illnesses  ( morbidity ) , including long term poor health and disability
Under COVID 19 response, Ministries of Education in Puntland and Somaliland supported to ensure 132,000 children  ( 41% girls )  have access to distance learning lessons through radio and TV and cluster partners reached 201,375  ( 95,129 girls )  children with awareness messages on prevention and transmission.
A total of 13,557 persons gained information, accessed GBV services or received capacity enhancement for GBV. Specifically, 11,159 persons  ( 1,942 girls, 1,075 boys, 6,186 women, 1,956 men )  gained information and knowledge on GBV prevention, response and mitigation while 66 religious leaders were mobilised and provided orientation to undertake advocacy for the abandonment of FGM
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  17% and 11% of households of IDP settlement and Non IDP settlement reported all school aged children in their household who were previously attending school are continuing learning activities remotely since schools have been closed.
A total of 745 persons  ( 321 girls, 10 boys, 411 women and 3 men )  received material items including dignity kits, while 149 persons received livelihoods support. A further 1,189 persons  ( 266 girls, 17 boys, 866 women and 40 men )  received rape services, treatment for physical injuries due to GBV, legal support and psycho social support and counselling.
In Mogadishu, the prices of food commodities such as vegetable oil and sugar are increasing due to low supply from the source market.
In response to the COVID 19 pandemic, some 15 women, who got training in detergent and bar soap making in 2018, were contracted by GIZ to produce 1,200 5 liter jerricans of detergent and 1,500 bar soaps which were handed over to the Jubaland Ministry of Health  ( JMOH )  in mid June. The JMOH distributed the soap in all its health facilities and to vulnerable households to maintain hygiene in prevention of COVID 19. This initiative has helped the women sustain their livelihoods during these tough times.
Recommendations: Rapid response to alleviate stressed household food security and livelihoods should focus on cash based assistance.
[ PROTECTION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  92% and 85% of households of IDP settlements and Non IDP settlement reported no child friendly spaces in their community.
There continues to be a need to broaden services to remote locations with high burdens and reporting for GBV. Limited presence of specialized GBV service providers in these locations is reported. Lack of valid data and stronger legal framework for the protection of women and girls from violence is also a hindrance to proper targeting for GBV programming and service provision
Child protection partners faced significant challenges from the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, as critical services were limited to case management. This required a rapid adaptation of new modalities to ensure structured psychosocial support for girls and boys, and differentiated procedures to address low, medium, and high risk cases, with volunteers addressing the low and medium risk cases
The JCMNA assessment reported that 27 per cent of households had some or all of their enrolled children drop out of school in the last 12 months. The main reasons are associated with the cost of school fees  ( 36 per cent ) , drought  ( 33 per cent )  and work to support the household  ( 17 per cent ) , while 4 per cent stated early marriage and 6 per cent stated conflict as the main reason. The main barrier to accessing education is the cost of school fees, as reported by 50 per cent of non displaced families and 65 per cent of displaced families with children not attending school .
Difficulty in conducting children's activities safely as it is not easy for staff to enforce physical distancing with children when they are together.
People in Somalia from both the host communities and displaced populations like migrants and internally displaced persons are all disproportionally experiencing the impacts of the pandemic due to their weakened social support structures, bleak socioeconomic prospects, unequal access to healthcare and basic social services, precarious housing, tenuous living and working conditions, vulnerability to misinformation and social stigma, risks of exploitation and abuse. This further leads to increased levels of uncertainty, distress, and instability of individuals, families, and communities.
Violence against children, both inside and outside the home, has reportedly increased as families have been in a confined space, with limited resources and heightened stress. Furthermore, due to limited access to school and child protection facilities, children have limited access to many avenues through which to report abuse and seek adequate assistance, such as teachers and child protection staff.
Migrants expressed concern over their capacity to support themselves during the journey as COVID 19 restrictions have reduced daily job opportunities, indicating longer stay in Somalia than usual.
The UNSC should call on AMISOM and UNSOM to enhance their climate related security risks analysis and reporting, and report on how issues of climate security are affecting its mandate.
As a key source, transit and, to some extent, destination country for irregular migratory flows, Somalia continues to have an influx of migrants from neighbouring countries through irregular migration routes especially from Ethiopia, with the aim of reaching Yemen/KSA.
Interrupting education services has serious, long term consequences for economies and societies such as increased inequality, poorer nutrition and health, including mental health, outcomes, increased protection risks such as gender based violence, abuse and exploitation, early marriage, child labour, and recruitment into armed groups, and overall reduced social cohesion.
This is on top of over three million out of school children even prior to the COVID 19 pandemic. As of June, Education Cluster Partners provided 201,375  ( 95,129 girls )  children with prevention and control messages through printed materials, Radio, and Online platform.
The nutrition situation among IDPs has shown no signs of improvement. For displaced population groups that registered a high prevalence of acute malnutrition, contributing factors include high morbidity, low immunization and vitamin A supplementation, poor care practices and food insecurity
With an estimated 232,000 people forcibly evicted in 2019 and 66,000 in 2020  ( as of May )  , humanitarians have advocated with national authorities for a nation wide moratorium on evictions during the COVID 19 response. In April, a directive was issued in South West State to suspend evictions in Baidoa. Although advocacy continues for broader adoption of a moratorium, evictions are still on the rise, especially in Banadir and Jubaland.
Closure of schools has left over 1.1 million students without a physical classroom. While some states have shifted learning to radio, TV and internet, which is only accessible to 12 percent  ( 132,000 children, of which 48,218 girls )  of all the students, the vast majority of registered students are currently at home
In addition, the labour market remains stagnant due to COVID 19 restrictions, especially for the most vulnerable, including IDPs. Residents living in cities already isolated by the presence of Al Shabab  ( AS )  have been particularly affected by the suspension of internal flights; with no choice but to transport goods by road, they have often been forced to give up their goods when attacked by AS.
Whilst the resumption of livestock export in April 2020 after Saudi Arabia lifted its ban has provided job opportunities at the ports in Somaliland, Puntland and Jubaland, a 30 50 per cent decline in livestock exports, from average yearly exports, is expected from June to August , the peak annual period of livestock demand.
Despite the Federal Government of Somalia  ( FGS )  suspension of taxes on basic commodities from April June to mitigate possible shortages of and price surges on food items, the purchasing power of many Somalis, especially daily wage workers and casual labourers, is significantly reduced.
Some of the urban poor across Somalia also continue to face moderate to large food consumption gaps over the same period, partly due to the continued decline in external remittances and a slowdown in economic activities in urban areas related to the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Movement restrictions and other COVID 19 related Government directives, disruptions to imports and domestic supply chains, and access challenges due to flooding have impacted the availability of basic commodities, as well as an increase in prices.
A 13 per cent increase in monthly new admissions of acutely malnourished children has been reported between January and March 2020, compared to the first quarter average monthly admission for 2016 2019. This can be attributed to sporadic disease outbreaks  ( AWD/ cholera and measles outbreak ) , and worsening of the food security situation in many areas.
In Wajid, retail and wholesale prices of local cereals )  and imported food items remained the same as last week but very high.
These mass media hygiene promotions were carried out in Bay, Bakool and Lower Juba regions. To enhance dignity amongst the emergency affected women and adolescent girls, the distribution of Menstrual Hygiene Management  ( MHM )  kits was enhanced reaching 113,000 women and girls, a 70 per cent increase from 2019.
Heavy Gu'  ( April June )  rains caused flooding in 39 districts affecting 1.3 million people, with 29 people killed and 505,000 displaced.
Somalia is experiencing a triple threat: COVID 19 related humanitarian consequences, flooding and the worst Desert Locust upsurge in decades.
The situation is critical considering that Somalia has a total displacement population of 2.6 million, including more than 632,000 people displaced in 2020 due to insecurity and flooding.
Health partners have deployed over 1,000 rapid response teams  ( RRTs )  in areas with a high concentration of IDPs , reaching over 4,000 IDP settlements by the third week of June.
There were 42,695 children supported with safe drinking water and 11,366 children supported with school feeding. BY unicef
An additional 2.9 million people are expected to be Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 ) , bringing the total number of people facing acute food insecurity to 5.6 million.
There were 1,900 adolescent girls supported with dignity kits and training on menstrual hygiene health to address school absenteeism.
n Hargeisa, livestock prices, remain the same for two weeks in a row. For instance, camel export quality and local goat quality are trading at $695 and $77 respectively per head. In addition, camel and goat meat prices remain the same for two weeks in a row
UNICEF piloted the roll out of CPIMS+ in Puntland and Somaliland strengthening case management and data management among child protection practitioners. Multi sectoral services such as clinical, psychosocial, legal, transport and safe accommodation assistance were provided to 5,977 gender based violence  ( GBV )  survivors. As part of the COVID 19 response, approximately 11,429 calls were received on the GBV/Child hotlines.
Since COVID 19 outbreak was declared in Somalia, the greatest number of health care workers  ( HCWs )  infected as of October 2020 were non medical staff at 36% followed by nurses  ( 33% ) , physicians  ( 27% )  and Lab technicians  ( 4% ) .
In addition, 92,240 people received awareness messages on prevention of child recruitment, child marriage, female genital mutilation  ( FGM ) , GBV and COVID 19.