nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
Often, communities living in areas regained by government forces and their allies are left without protection once those forces withdraw. As a result, many are forced to leave their homes, with some moving pre emptively
Conflict remains at the centre of the crisis in Somalia with chronic levels of insecurity and violence taking a heavy toll on civilians for decades, affecting livelihoods and hampering economic progress and development. Civilians are exposed to indiscriminate attacks, including through improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs ) , other explosive hazards and aerial bombardments
The deterioration of road conditions not only represents a barrier to trade and employment opportunities, especially for farming communities, but also leads to an increase in the costs of transporting crops to markets, thereby undermining incentives to expand harvests. Roads connecting farming districts to markets have long been unusable due to lack of maintenance and can become impassable during the rains. Even when roads are physically passable, insecurity can hinder free passage.
The condition of the roads has a direct impact on humanitarian organizations, as road access challenges were reported in five districts across the country in 2020  ( as of 30 November )  due to heavy seasonal rains and flooding, resulting in subsequent damage to infrastructure.
According to the African Development Bank  ( AfDB ) , the total length of the primary and main roads in Somalia is 4,124km, of which 2,860km are paved and 1,264km are unpaved or a gravel surface.Of these, about 90 per cent are in a very poor condition. Likewise, the 7,310km of secondary, feeder and coastal roads are mostly gravel or earthen, and are quite deteriorated. This has an impact on travel times and operating costs for transport, resulting in higher prices of goods and service
It is expected that poor agropastoral households will face moderate to large food consumption gaps through the end of 2020 and into 2021.
In addition, more than 293,900 people have been affected by flash and riverine floods in Gedo, Lower Juba and Middle Juba regions, including 187,000 people in Gedo region and 165,300 people in Middle and Lower Juba regions.
In total, floods in 2020 displaced 919,000 households, killed 35 people and destroyed significant amounts of infrastructure and property
Further, evictions expose people to various forms of exploitation and disrupt livelihoods.
A total of 6,589 cases of cholera, including 33 deaths, were reported in 2020. Over 40 per cent of cases and more than half the deaths were in children under 2, with the vast majority in Banadir.
The volatile security situation in Somalia continues to create a challenging operating environment for humanitarian actors. Outside of major urban centres, accessibility to some districts, particularly in southern and central regions of Somalia, remains limited due to insecurity along key supply routes.
Somalia experiences two types of flooding: river floods and flash floods that result from localized heavy rains. Severe riverine and flash floods in April and early May caused significant population displacement, damage to property, infrastructure, farmland and crops, and disruption to road networks, especially along the Juba and Shabelle River valleys.
The first six months of 2020 saw Al Shabaab conduct six mortar attacks against the UN within Aden Adde International Airport. A brief lull followed until the militant group carried out its first complex attack of 2020 in Mogadishu on 16 August, targeting the Elite Hotel in the Lido beach area. The threat of improvised explosive devices on key roads and areas newly under government control continues to affect access in many parts of southern and central Somalia.
The International Monetary Fund's 2020 debt sustainability analysis indicates that even with the interim debt relief, Somalia will remain in debt distress, as its debt will still be about 43.3% of GDP in 2024, above the 30% sustainability threshold. Somalia's debt was 55.3% of GDP when it became eligible for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries  ( HIPC )  interim debt relief.
Dilapidating poverty levels due to multiple displacements and loss of livelihoods, compounded by the COVID 19 pandemic, have resulted in more women and girls becoming dependent on cash and voucher assistance for meeting basic needs.
This is also a call to everyone including donors, Government, humanitarian and GBV actors for stronger partnerships and commitment to end violence against women and girls in Somalia.
Water and vegetation availability: Water trucking is ongoing in parts of Northern Inland Pastoral, Addun Pastoral, and northeastern and central Coastal Deeh Pastoral and Fishing livelihood zones, where most surface water catchments did not replenish or were only partially refilled during the deyr.
Furthermore, limited service provision for protective housing for vulnerable women and girls fleeing violence; limited availability of recreational spaces for women and girls to rebuild friendships and social capital; and a limited number of specialized service providers to provide specialized services are some of the major gaps that militated against access to services for women and girls in the year 2020.
The closure of GBV service sites due to fear of COVID 19 infection and the unstable political situation created greater challenges for women and girls to access services.
Many IDPs in urban areas, particularly those in informal settlements in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, Hargeisa, Garowe, Bossaso and Burco are finding that rent is now too expensive, as a result of their increasingly limited household income. Some have had to change accommodation to make shift shelters  ( inadequate housing )  through insecure land tenure arrangements because they could no longer afford the rent. Further still, vulnerable families have had to resort to a range of negative coping mechanisms to be able to pay their rent and therefore avoid eviction, and this has exposed them to protection risks.
Now the country is again facing critical water shortages, which are causing livestock deaths, mounting hunger and an inability to cultivate crops, triggering the flight of over 80,000 people in recent months.
Some of the urban poor across Somalia also continue to face moderate to large food consumption gaps over the same period [ Mid 2021 ] , 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.
In riverine livelihood zones along the Shabelle and Juba rivers, recurrent floods destroyed farmland and crops and displaced local populations, leading to significant crop losses and the loss of income from agricultural employment. Consequently, a significant proportion of poor households in riverine areas will also face moderate to large food consumption gaps through mid 2021.
In agropastoral livelihood zones, where the main shocks include erratic and poorly distributed rainfall, Desert Locust and stalk borer infestations, and conflict, poor households have experienced crop losses and low income from agricultural employment. With few alternative food and income sources, they face moderate to large food consumption gaps through mid 2021.
In pastoral areas, below average rainfall in parts of the North, adjacent areas of central Somalia, coastal areas, and Gedo region has led to water scarcity and pasture shortages, prompting atypical, earlier than normal livestock migration to distant grazing areas.
In addition, Cyclone Gati caused significant damages and livestock deaths in northeastern coastal areas in late November, though the rains ultimately alleviated dry conditions. Furthermore, recurrent floods between July and early November caused further population displacement and damaged crops and farmland in riverine areas of Hiiraan, Shabelle, and Juba regions.
Somalia continues to experience health outbreaks including measles, vaccine derived poliovirus and AWD/cholera, further compounding the seriousness of the situation. As a result, according to the FSNAU assessment in September 2020, morbidity rates were high  ( ≥ 20 per cent )  among some IDP population groups, particularly in Garowe, Galkayo, Mogadishu and Baidoa. The Crude Death Rate  ( CDR )  and Under 5 Death Rate  ( U5DR )  were low across most IDP population groups, with the exceptions of Garowe, Mogadishu, Dollow and Baidoa, which had serious levels of CDR and/or U5DR
Gaps & Constraints: Lack/limited availability of land adjacent to the existing IDP sites for expansion of the sites.
Gaps & Constraints: There is need to increase provision of emergency shelters to the affected population.
Available forecasts indicate an increased likelihood of below average rainfall during the 2021 Gu  ( April June )  season across most of the country, which would adversely affect food security and nutrition outcomes. These findings are based on the 2020 post Deyr seasonal food security and nutrition assessment conducted across Somalia in November and December 2020. The assessment and the subsequent analyses were jointly led by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit  ( FSNAU, a project managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations )  and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network  ( FEWS NET, a project funded by USAID )  with the active participation of government institutions, UN, and NGO partners.
Delayed and erratic rainfall distribution characterized the October to December 2020 Deyr season, resulting in below average, cumulative rainfall across most of the country. The poor rains led to inadequate replenishment of pasture and water resources and below average Deyr crop production.
Moreover, approximately 840 000 children under the age of five are likely to be acutely malnourished, including nearly 143 000 who are likely to be severely malnourished.
More than half the families surveyed did not have enough food to eat and 84 percent of respondents said they were resorting to harmful ways to cope with the crisis, such as depleting their livestock reserves to buy food and reducing the number of meals they have per day. The loss of livestock also means children have less access to milk and this further exposes them to the risk of malnutrition.
Integrated interventions should be provided to support recovery and prevent deterioration in the nutrition situation. Urgent health and nutrition support is also required for areas with high prevalence of acute maternal malnutrition
Urgent treatment and nutrition support are required for approximately 838,900 children under the age of five years  ( total acute malnutrition burden ) , who will likely face acute malnutrition through December 2021, including 143,200 who are likely to be severely malnourished.
Between July and December 2020, humanitarian food assistance reached 1.6 million to 1.9 million people, or an average of 1.8 million people per month. Distribution of humanitarian food assistance was reported in most regions of Somalia even though the coverage varied by region.
In Middle Juba there were no reported food assistance distribution due to insecurity and access constraints. For the same reason, food assistance coverage in some districts of Lower Shabelle, Gedo, Galgaduud and Lower Juba regions were among the lowest in the country. Humanitarian food assistance in the second half of 2020 mostly supported IDPs, crisis affected rural populations  ( pastoral, agropastoral and riverine )  and returnees.
Due to multiple threats facing the population of Somalia in 2021, the food security and nutrition situation requires close monitoring of associated risk factors. (  Market prices of food, water and livestock, wage labour rates and terms of trade, Admission of acutely malnourished children to treatment programmes, Availability of water and pasture, Population displacement due to various factor, Desert locust infestations, Socio economic impacts of COVID 19  ( including flow of external remittances to Somalia, livestock exports ) , Performance of the 2021 April June Gu season rainfall, Shabelle and Juba river levels, AWD/cholera and measles outbreaks, Civil insecurity and conflict and impacts on food security and livelihoods )
Reduce acute malnutrition and mortality: Provide curative and preventive health and nutrition support for acutely malnourished children and women; Expand the coverage of measles vaccination and Vitamin A supplementation; Expand the coverage of WASH services.
Livelihood asset protection : Seasonally appropriate agricultural inputs  ( e.g. quality seed, farm tools, training, land preparation and irrigation support ) ; Emergency livestock assistance  ( e.g. supportive treatment, vaccination, feed, fodder production ) ;Livelihood assistance to fisher folk  ( e.g. basic fishing gear and related equipment ) ;Livelihood diversification  ( e.g. backyard poultry and kitchen gardens ) ; Continue with desert locust surveillance and control in all infested areas and at risk areas; Prevention and response to other food chain threats  ( e.g. Fall Armyworm and trans boundary animal diseases )
Improved access to food through conditional and unconditional transfers: Unconditional transfers  ( e.g. cash/food assistance ) ; Conditional transfers e.g. cash/food for work for the rehabilitation and establishment of community infrastructure such as water catchments, feeder roads and canals; skills training; soil and water conservation efforts such as soil bunds that support pasture regeneration and rangeland rehabilitation
Response priorities: Improve access to food for people affected by various shocks and are classified in/facing Crisis  ( IPC Acute Food Insecurity Phase 3 )  and Emergency  ( IPC Acute Food Insecurity Phase 4 ) .
Response priorities: Provision of seasonal livelihood inputs for pastoral, agropastoral and riverine farmers and rural IDPs in/facing Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  and Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 ) ; and Reduce acute malnutrition and mortality among children and women.
The current nutrition situation is likely to deteriorate between February and April 2021 among some population groups due to seasonal as well as acute factors, including increased disease burden and expected deterioration in the overall food security situation. Specific factors include a decline in milk availability and access, reduced access to water and increased water prices, likely increase in morbidity, declining household cereal food stocks and a likely increase in cereal prices.
As part of the 2020 Post Deyr assessment, FSNAU has also assessed the nutrition situation of women of child bearing age  ( 15 49 years old )  using Mid Upper Arm Circumference  ( MUAC ) . The results of these assessments indicate that acute malnutrition is high among women of child bearing age  ( 25 49 years old )  in many areas. Out of the 44 population groups surveyed, six had Critical levels  ( IPC Phase 4 )  of maternal acute malnutrition  ( 23.4 31.4% )  based on FSNAU classification: East Golis Pastoral, Northern Inland Pastoral of northeast, Elberde Pastoral of Bakool, Baidoa IDPs, North Gedo River and South Gedo Agropastoral livelihoods.
[ As part of the 2020 Post Deyr assessment, FSNAU has also assessed the nutrition situation of women of child bearing age  ( 15 49 years old )  using Mid Upper Arm Circumference  ( MUAC )  ]  An additional 10 were had Serious levels  ( IPC Phase 3 )  of maternal acute malnutrition  ( 16.8 23.3% ) , while 10 had Alert levels  ( IPC Phase 2 )  of maternal acute malnutrition  ( 10.5 16.7 ) . This highlights the vulnerability of women of child bearing age to acute malnutrition possibly due to their increased but unmet nutrient requirements.
Among displaced populations, there has been a slight improvement in the overall nutrition situation compared to the results for 2020 Gu and 2019 Deyr seasons. However, the GAM prevalence remained high among IDPs with six out of nine IDP population groups classified as Critical  ( IPC Phase 4 )  or Serious  ( IPC Phase 3 ) . These results underscore the underlying vulnerability of IDP populations. Morbidity levels were high  ( ≥ 20% )  in six out of nine IDP population groups: Garowe, Galkacyo, Mogadishu, Baidoa, Hargeisa and Dolow IDPs.
Measles vaccination, Vitamin A supplementation and household access to clean water and sanitation are higher in most of the urban populations compared to both rural and displaced populations, but remain below the recommended SPHERE standard for coverage.
Similarly, there has also been some improvement in the overall nutrition situation among urban populations compared to the previous two seasons, with fewer population groups classified as Critical  ( IPC Phase 4 )  or Serious  ( IPC Phase 3 ) , and a lower median GAM/SAM. Lower morbidity, stable food prices and access to humanitarian assistance are likely mitigating factors. Nonetheless, morbidity prevalence remained high  ( ≥ 20% )  in six out of eleven urban populations assessed: Garowe, Baidoa, Galkacyo, Huddur, Hargeisa and Dolow.
The Crude Death Rate  ( CDR )  and the Under Five Death Rate  ( U5DR )  were low across most rural livelihoods. Exceptions were Northern Inland Pastoral in the northwest and Shabelle Riverine which had Serious  ( IPC Phase 3 )  levels of CDR  ( 0.5 1/10 000/day ) .
There has been some improvement in the overall nutrition situation among rural populations compared to the preceding two seasons. This is reflected in fewer population groups classified as Critical  ( IPC Phase 4 )  or Serious  ( IPC Phase 3 ) , a lower median GAM/ SAM prevalence and reduced total burden of acute malnutrition. This improvement is due to lower morbidity, increased access to milk and large scale and sustained humanitarian assistance. However, morbidity prevalence remained high  ( ≥ 20% )  in 15 out of 25 rural population groups surveyed, with the highest prevalence reported in East Golis Pastoral  ( 42.7% ) , Bay Agropastoral  ( 34.9% )  and North Gedo Riverine  ( 31.1% )
Acute malnutrition remains widespread in Somalia. A Critical  ( IPC Phase 4 )  prevalence of GAM  ( ≥ 15% )  was observed in nine out of 36 population groups: Southern Inland Pastoral of Elberde district  ( 20.9% ) , Mogadishu IDPs  ( 16.7% ) , Huddur urban /IDPs  ( 16.4% ) , IDPs in Bossasso and Garowe  ( 15.8% ) , Shabelle Riverine  ( 15.4% ) ; and in addition, Beletweyne IDPs, Beletweyne urban and Juba Riverine have also been classified as Critical  ( IPC Phase 4 )  based on MUAC assessment results: The nutrition situation in 28 population groups was classified as Serious  ( IPC Phase 3 ) , with GAM at 10–14.9%. The nutrition situation in most of the remaining population groups was Alert  ( IPC Phase 2 ) , with GAM at 5 9.9%, with only Burao urban classified as Acceptable  ( IPC Phase 1 ) , with GAM at <5%.
Results from 36 SMART nutrition surveys conducted by FSNAU and partners in November and December 2020 as part of the Post Deyr seasonal assessment indicate that the national level median Global Acute Malnutrition  ( GAM )  prevalence has, at 10–14.9%, remained Serious  ( IPC Phase 3 ) , based on Weight for Height Z Scores. This reflects a generally stable situation over the past three seasons  ( 11.8% both in 2020 Deyr and 2020 Gu and 13.1% in 2019 Deyr )
According to the Climate Prediction Center  ( CPC )  and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society  ( IRI )  El Niño Southern Oscillation  ( ENSO ) , La Niña is likely to continue through March 2021  ( ~95 per cent chance )  and further through March to May 2021  ( ~65 per cent chance ) , coinciding with the dry 2021 Jilaal  ( January March )  and Gu  ( April June )  seasons in Somalia. As a result, drought conditions are expected to develop and worsen during the first half of 2021.
Access to healthcare services, especially at secondary and tertiary levels, remains limited in Somalia.This particularly affects persons with specific needs, including those with chronic illness and physical disabilities.
There are very limited livelihood opportunities available for refugees and asylum seekers, mainly due to a lack of employment and wage earning opportunities in places of residence. Without regular and predictable incomes, refugees and asylum seekers often cannot afford to purchase even basic items.
As per UNHCR's assessment, all refugee and asylum seekers in Somalia are in need of a variety of protection services and assistance.
An additional 2.9 million people are expected to be Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 ) , bringing the total number of people facing acute food insecurity between April and June 2021 to 5.6 million.
In summary, 2.7 million people across Somalia are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity  ( IPC Phase 3 or above )  between April and June 2021 without sustained humanitarian assistance.
The food insecurity levels for most displaced populations are expected to deteriorate from Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  to or remain in Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  during the projection period. On the other hand, most urban populations are expected to remain Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  between April and June 2021, except Kismayo urban which will deteriorate to Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 ) .
[ During the projection period between April and June 2021 ]  In addition, urban populations, including IDPs, will likely be adversely affected by the continued socio economic impact of COVID 19  ( decline in remittances and knock on effects on economic activities in urban areas ) .
During the projection period between April and June 2021, food security conditions are expected to deteriorate for most population groups due to multiple risk factors. These include expected depletion of food stocks from own production among poor agropastoral households and farmers in riverine areas, likely below average 2021 Gu  ( April June )  season rainfall leading to a decline in agricultural employment opportunities and income; continued desert locust infestation threatening pasture and crops; and likely increase in local staple cereal prices through mid 2021 and reduced access to milk and limited number of saleable animals among poor pastoralists in some livelihoods  ( mainly northern and central regions ) .
[ Accordingly, during the projection period between April and June ]  Southern Inland Pastoral in most parts of southern Somalia  ( Hiran, Shabelle, Bakool, Bay and Juba regions )  will remain in Minimal Acute Food Insecurity  ( IPC Phase 1 ) .
Accordingly, during the projection period between April and June, most rural livelihoods will remain Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 ) . However, Guban Pastoral, Toghdeer Agropastoral, Northern Inland Pastoral, East Golis Pastoral of Sanaag, Coastal Deeh Pastoral of northeast and central regions, Addun pastoral, Cowpea Belt agropastoral of central, Riverine livelihoods in Hiran, Gedo, Middle Shabelle and Lower Juba, Bay Bakool Low Potential agropastoral and Southern Rain fed Agropastoral of Juba are expected to deteriorate from Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  to Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 ) .
One of the socio economic impacts of COVID 19 in Somalia is a decline in external remittance flows to Somali households as a result of the ongoing economic contraction  ( i.e. decline in employment and household income )  in countries with large Somali diaspora populations  ( mostly Europe, North America, Australia ) .
Flooding and insecurity/conflict related displacements have contributed to lower crop production in Hiran, Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle regions.
The total number of IDPs across Somalia is estimated at 2.6 million as of 2018. Short term and permanent displacement have continued since then.
Household surveys conducted by FSNAU in November and December 2020 indicate that up to 22 percent of urban, 12 percent of rural and six percent of IDPs received remittances between Aug/Sep and Oct/ Nov 2020. A majority of recipients  ( >50% )  reported significant declines  ( ≥10% )  in remittances compared to normal/typical amounts.
In agro pastoral livelihoods that have been affected by erratic rainfall, successive floods, desert locusts and insecurity/conflict, cereal production and agricultural employment have been affected during the 2020 Deyr and Gu/Karan seasons. As a result, some of the poor agro pastoral households in these regions have moderate to large food consumption gaps.
Some of the poor pastoral households in northern and central Somalia continue to face moderate to large food consumption gaps as they have limited number of livestock to help them cope with the various shocks both during the current and projection periods.
In most northern and some parts of central regions that experienced below average Deyr rains, a harsh dry Jilaal  ( January – March 2021 )  season is expected. Water scarcity is being reported in these areas as of mid December 2020, a situation that is expected to worsen until the start of Gu season rainfall in April.
Livestock production: Despite below average deyr rainfall, livestock body conditions remained normal to above normal  ( PET score 3 4 ) . However, livestock body conditions in rain deficit areas have already started deteriorating due to harsh effect of the jilaal.
The 2020 October December Deyr season rain was delayed by three to four weeks across many parts of Somalia. The overall rainfall performance in terms of amount and distribution was below average in southern Somalia and significantly below average across most livelihood zones of northern regions but above average in central parts of the country. Exceptions were parts of Bari region  ( Coastal Deeh Pastoral and adjacent parts of Northern Inland Pastoral )  which received torrential rains, associated with cyclone GATI that made a landfall on November 22.
Accordingly, between January and March 2021  ( current ) , in the presence of humanitarian assistance, most rural livelihoods are classified as Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 ) , with the exception of Toghdeer agro pastoral, East Golis pastoral of Sanaag and Coastal Deeh Pastoral of northeast and central regions, Middle Shabelle Riverine and Lower Juba Riverine livelihoods, which are in Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 ) .
ACTED is continuously monitoring the situation and updating contingency plans, in view of the uncertainty of the March to May 2021 season. ACTED calls all donors and humanitarian community to invest in early action and respond now to avoid a crisis later.
Poor rainfall : The 2020 Deyr season rainfall was below average in most parts of Somalia, adversely impacting pasture and crop production. The 2021 Gu season is likely to be below average to average in central and southern Somalia and below average in the northern regions.
The latest forecast for January to March 2021 indicates that desert locusts continue to pose very high risk to rural livelihoods and will likely exacerbate the negative impact of the anticipated below average 2021 Gu season rainfall on pasture and crop production.
The 2020 Deyr season cereal production in southern Somalia is estimated at 78,600 tons, including 4,200 tons of off season harvest expected in March/April 2021. The 2020 Deyr season cereal production in southern Somalia was affected by successive flooding, erratic rainfall, desert locust infestation and insecurity/conflict. As a result, the overall harvest is 20 percent lower than the long term average for 1995 2019.
Protection: 57% of the assessed settlement where KIs reported any protection incidents happened in road, 53% reported in markets and 47% reported in field.
[ Accordingly, between January and March 2021  ( current ) , in the presence of humanitarian assistance  ] In addition, Southern Inland Pastoral of Hiran, Shebelle, Bakool, Bay and Juba and Juba cattle Pastoral livelihoods are classified as being in Minimal Acute Food Insecurity  ( IPC Phase 1 ) . Most urban poor and displaced populations are also classified as Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 ) , with the exception of Internally Displaced Persons  ( IDPs )  in Burao, Lasaanod, Bossasso, Garowe, Qardho and Baidoa, which are in Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )
According to Federal government of Somalia, [ In this week  ( 21March   27March )  ]  591new cases of COVID 19 along with 50 new deaths and 4,637 total documented recoveries was found in Somalia.
Many parts of Somalia are currently experiencing drought conditions, triggered by below average 2020 Deyr  ( October December )  season rainfall which was characterized by depressed rains with poor spatial and temporal distributions and harsh conditions during the typically dry Jiaall  ( January March )  season.
According to field reports, water resources and pasture conditions have significantly deteriorated during the Jilaal season  ( January to March )  triggering water trucking, increased livestock migration and increasing water prices.
WASH/Water access: Respondents identified a total of 132 water points also specifying that only 77% were functioning while 72% were under strain.
LIVELIHOODS/PASTORALISM: Most respondents identified the primary focus of pastoral livelihoods  ( 92% )  as an income source. However, the percentage of respondents identifying the depletion of pastureland for grazing over the previous 6 months was varied depending on the district where the respondent was located overall, only 44% of respondents on average identified pasture depletion  ( i.e. due to drought )  as being present/relevant.
WASH/Water access: Respondents identified that, on average, there was as much as a 60% reduction in water consumption by households given water shortages  ( i.e. specified as a reduction from 5 20L jerry cans of water utilized per day to 2 jerry cans on average per household ) . This signifies a reduction from around 17L to almost 7L per person per day on average; significantly below Sphere Standard recommendations of 15L per person per day.
Population movement: Respondents' feedback regarding population movements indicated a strong upward trend in new arrivals at the assessed sites, with 71% of respondents mentioning that there was in increase in the number of arrivals over the past three  ( 3 )  months, while only 41% found that households had left the sites. The primary reason for displacement was given as “loss of livelihood due to drought'
Hand washing stations to benefit 19,180 people were constructed in schools and health centres in Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle and Mudug regions.
[ NUTRITION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  19% of households of IDP populations score 4  ( extreme ) Nutrition Living Standard Gaps  ( LSG )  severity score and 47% score 3 (  severe )  Nutrition Living Standard Gaps  ( LSG )  severity score . Similarly, 17% of households of non IDP populations score 4  ( extreme ) Nutrition Living Standard Gaps  ( LSG )  severity score and 46% score 3  (  severe )  Nutrition Living Standard Gaps  ( LSG )  severity score .
[ Displacement ]  33% of the households stated that the reason for coming to current location was no conflict, 25% of the households stated the availability of work/income opportunities was the reason for coming to current location where as 22% of the households stated that presence of food distribution/food aid was the main reason for coming to the current location.
[ PRE EXISTING VULNERABILITIES ]  9% of of households reporting relying on unstable income sources to meet basic needs.
[ PRE EXISTING VULNERABILITIES ]  5% of households with at least one member having lost employment in the three months prior to data.
[ CAPACITY GAP  ( CG )  ]  96% of households were found to have at least one Food Security Living Standard Gap ( LSG )  and/or a Capacity Gap  ( CG ) . 40% of households were found to have a food security LSG but no Capacity Gap  ( CG )  in food security, 56% of households were found to have both a food security LSG and a Capacity Gap  ( CG )  in food security,4% of households were found to have no food security LSG but a Capacity Gap  ( CG )  in food security.
[ PRE EXISTING VULNERABILITIES ]  11% of households with at least one person with a chronic illness which lasted 3 months or longer at the time of the data collection.
Water shortages have been reported in many communities, with increases in water prices being observed. This is likely to deepen humanitarian crisis in the coming months especially in regions such as Sool, Sanaag, parts of Galmudug, Bay, Bakool and Lower Juba where their main water sources of shallow wells and Berkad have dried up.
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  27% of the households of IDP settlements reported that it takes less than 15 minutes to reach to the nearest education facility while 26% and 12% 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 more than 3 hours to reach to the nearest education facility.
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  The most commonly reported types of education facilities attended were Primary mixed school for boys and girls  ( 43% ) , Quranic school for boys  ( 23% ) , Quranic school for girls  ( 21% )  and Secondary mixed school for boys and girls  ( 11% ) .
HRP identifies 1.6M internally displaced persons ( IDPs )  in need. Among them,57% are women and 43% men, 66% are children, 30% are adults and 4% are elderly.
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  63% and 97% of Households IDP and non IDP settlements reported education of their children had been disrupted as a result of the COVID 19 outbreak.
[ EDUCATION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  Education LSGs were found to be primarily driven by Households with school aged children who reported barriers to accessing education for boys  ( 79% )  , Households with school aged children who reported barriers to accessing education for girls  ( 79% ) .
[ SHELTER & NON FOOD ITEMS  ( SNFI )  LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ] The main drivers of shelter & NFI LSGs were found to be Households without access to a safe and healthy housing enclosure unit  ( 22% ) , Households whose shelter solutions do not meet agreed technical and performance standards  ( 43% ) , Households without access to vital household NFIs  ( 76% ) .
In northwest regions, the 2020 Gu/Karan cereal production harvested in November is estimated at 17,100 tons. The 2020 Gu/Karan cereal production in the northwest has been affected by delayed and erratic rainfall, desert locust and stalk borer infestation. Consequently, the 2020 Gu/Karan cereal production is 58 percent lower than the average for 2010 2019.
[ SHELTER & NON FOOD ITEMS  ( SNFI )  LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  84% of the household found with Shelter and Non food items ( SNFI )  living Standard Gap  ( LSG ) . 3% found to be very extremely severe, 29% extreme severe, 52% severe, 16% stress.
[ WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE  ( WASH )  LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  Most commonly reported barriers to accessing water by household of non  IDP settlements were water points are too far  ( 20% ) , Water points are difficult to reach  ( especially for people with disabilities )   ( 16% ) , insufficient number of water points / waiting time at water points ( 11% ) .
[ WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE  ( WASH )  LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ] 96% of IDP settlement and 88% of non IDP settlement households found with a WASH Living Standard Gaps  ( LSG ) .
[ Accountability to Affected Populations ]  11% of households reported having experienced barriers in accessing aid in the 30 days prior to data collection. Among those households, the most commonly reported barriers were lack of information  ( 73% ) , physically unable to access distribution points  ( 23% ) , exclusion by camp managers  ( 12% ) .
[ Displacement ]  Top three reported reasons for leaving previous location were Drought  (  26% ) , Actual conflict in community  ( 17% ) , Conflict in surrounding area  ( 17% ) .
[ NUTRITION LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  Among households of IDP settlements with children , 22% households reporting having access to mobile nutrition team able to assess for malnutrition in the 6 months prior to data collection . While among households of non IDP settlements with children , 23% households reporting having access to mobile nutrition team able to assess for malnutrition in the 6 months prior to data collection.
[ HEALTH LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  50% of Households of non IDP settlements have not been able to access healthcare facilities in the six months prior to data collection while 38% of Households of non IDP settlements have been able to access healthcare facilities in the six months prior to data collection.
[ HEALTH LIVING STANDARDS GAP  ( LSG )  ]  23% of the household found with health living Standard Gap  ( LSG ) . 5% found to be very extremely severe, 5% extreme severe, 13% severe, 7% stress, 70% no or minimal.
[ Accountability to Affected Populations ]  Top three most commonly reported priority needs: Shelter / housing  ( 53% ) , Food  ( 38% ) , Healthcare  ( 39% ) .
UNHCR's response to the pandemic since last year has included availing more than forty large isolation and/or treatment medical tents and containers to the government, awareness raising campaigns and messaging that has reached well over one million individuals with life savings information, capacity building of health facilities with medical materials, installing nearly one hundred hand washing stations and/or boreholes, distributing PPEs and hygiene/sanitary kits to tens of thousands of individuals and more.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has donated medical items in the form of large tents and personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  to the Federal Government's Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management amid the rising number of COVID 19 cases in Somalia.
The situation is particularly dire in the northern regions that have been hit by poor Deyr rains which were 50 80 percent of the historical average  ( FEWS NET December 2020 Food Security Outlook Update )  and desert locust infestation, leading to faster depletion of pasture in northern regions.
Somalia is currently facing a severe food security crisis with 1.6 million people in IPC 3, a 40% increase as compared to 2020. This situation is compounded by a desert locust upsurge, Covid 19 and political uncertainty. This very high number is the same as four years before in the pre famine context.
ACTED conducted a needs assessment in Toghdeer, Sool, Sanaag in late February and findings show severe water shortage. Respondents stated that on average, there was as much as a 60 percent reduction in water consumption by households looking to conserve meagre remaining water sources.
Different gaps in response interventions were identified. The evolving situation of COVID 19 pandemic and increased number of reported cases and deaths have over stretched the already limited capacity to respond to the cholera alerts. Resources to support response activities, especially outbreak response, sample collection and medical supplies are limited.
Community social mobilizers were deployed through communication for development  ( C4D )  activities by UNICEF to promote good hygiene and sanitation and to prevent cholera infection through correct health seeking behaviour.
Cholera is endemic to Somalia with seasonal and recuring outbreaks . As of 21 February 2021, a total of 42 suspected cholera cases were reported from Lower Shabelle with no associated deaths. The new cholera outbreak started in Afgoi in week 7 where 23 suspected cholera cases with no associated deaths were reported from IDP camps. The outbreak was confirmed after one of the four collected stool samples tested positive by culture for Vibrio Cholerae.
Despite the challenges resulting from the security situation, the ministry has implemented control measures to contain the outbreak. New cases were managed at the cholera treatment centre  ( CTC )  in Merka.
The current floods and cholera outbreak occurred at a time when COVID 19 cases are increasing in all regions of Somalia, stretching the already limited capacity to respond to the cholera alerts.
The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases in 2021 is 780, including 2 associated deaths with a case fatality ratio  ( CFR )  of 0.3%. All of the cases were reported from 17 districts in Banadir region; Merka and Afgoye districts in Lower Shabelle region; and Baidoa district in Bay region.Of the 780 cases reported from Somalia since the week 1, 284  ( 36% )  are aged ≤2 years. Of the 2 deaths registered, 1  ( 50% )  is aged ≤2 years.
In Garowe and Bossaso, white maize and white sorghum decreased by 10% compared to last week due to improved supply from Ethiopia. However, cowpea prices increased by 8% compared to last week.
Wholesale prices of sugar and wheat flour decreased by 6% and 7% respectively compared to last week. However, retailer prices remain the same as last week except vegetable oil that increased by 10%. This is attributed to arrival of stocks in the port of Bossaso.
In Wanlaweyn, wholesale price of imported items increased compared with last week. For instance, sugar  ( 50 Kgs )  increased by $2, pasta  ( 10 Kg box )  by $1 and vegetable oil  ( 20 Litres )  by $2.
In Qansadhere, prices of local cereals and imported food items are the same for three weeks in a row but high and some stores are running out of stocks.
Local cereals prices  ( red and white sorghum )  are increasing in most markets throughout Somaliland. For instance in Hargeisa, prices increased from 3,600 to 3,800 SL SH and 5,500 to 5,700 SL SH for red and white sorghum respectively per Kg. In addition, white maize prices are fluctuating between 4,500 and 5,000 SL SH per Kg
In Mahas, the areas with water scarcity are Inabale, Ganuribad, Juujule, Suubo, Galcad, and Kadiley and commercial water trucking started in addition, water prices increased from $2 to $3.5 per 200 Liter tank.
In Galkayo, the casual daily labour rate remained the same for the last one month at 180,000 SO SH. per day. There are fewer employment and income opportunities, mainly in urban areas attributed to second wave of COVID 19. Dhusamareb and Abudwaq towns have reported the highest decline on labour opportunities compared with other markets.
In Jowhar, prices of imported and local food items showing mixed trends compared to last week. For instance, rice, dates, red and white sorghum increased by  ( 3% to 7% ) , sugar, wheat flour and white sorghum remained the same. Vegetable oil and pasta decreased by  3% and –25% respectively per litre and kg
In Mataaban most villages are affected by water scarcity, commercial water trucking is ongoing. Water prices increased by $0.4 to $0.5 depending on the distance from the water points.
IDPs, refugee returnees, host community members and other at risk communities travel with limited knowledge regarding contaminated areas and explosive remnants of war in Somalia. On average, children account for more than 70 per cent of the victims of explosive ordnance accidents. The lack of knowledge puts civilian communities at an increased risk of death and injury.
Prevalence of explosive ordnance including ERW and landmine accidents in Somalia is significant, predominantly injuring or killing the civilian population, children and displaced people among others. Over the period January to November 2020, 44 civilians were killed or injured, of whom 82 per cent were children reportedly practicing risk taking behaviours due to a lack of awareness compounded by curiosity.
In Jowhar, the level of shabelle river drastically reduced resulting in water scarcity in villages such as Buulo xaaji, Guumes, Gumarey, Maxaakaareebe, Doonwiiraale, Maaxakeeey and water prices are increasing. For instance in the affected villages water increased by 20%.
UNIDO provided OHS/COVID 19 Recommendations and Preventive measures training  ( online )  to Somali experts from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Somali Chamber of Commerce at federal and state level in Q4
Gaps & Constraints: Suspension of activities that involves gathering like training and community awareness raising activities.
The main drivers of shelter and NFI needs in Somalia are conflict, drought, flooding and evictions. The scale of shelter and NFI needs in 2021 is expected to increase in comparison to the needs in 2020 mainly due to the prolonged flooding season that damaged shelters and caused the loss of NFIs, displacements due to conflict, drought and forced eviction, and the population's inability to repair and construct shelter and buy basic non food items due to the poor economic situation
In parallel, clearance of explosive ordnance as well as the awareness messaging to instigate behaviour change should be underscored thereby increasing safety and security of the civilian population, across all liberated areas “leaving no region behind'.
The use of IEDs by armed groups also continues to affect civilians more significantly. Over the same period, 432 civilians, among others, were collaterally injured or killed by IED incidents, almost 10 times higher than the ERW and mine accidents. Thus, the need to assist the survivors and associated victims of the explosive ordnance in Somalia is paramount which needs urgent attention in response to the Action Plan.
The 194,000 worst affected non displaced vulnerable people categorized as being in extreme need – or Severity 4 – tend to face critical gaps in access to water, sanitation, healthcare and nutrition to the point of exhausting their coping capacity and strategies amidst increased morbidity and mortality rates.
Between 76,000 and 250,000 people are projected to be displaced by floods and an estimated 190,000 people will be displaced by conflict, while there is a risk of additional displacement in case the electoral process falters, or drought conditions are particularly severe.
It is important that humanitarian actors must sustain updating and implementation of integrated referral pathways to direct vulnerable women and girls including GBV survivors to timely, quality and confidential services.
Despite the fact that most people reported that they feel safe in areas where are living  ( 64.4 per cent in Diinsoor, 54.3 per cent in Qansax Dheere and 63.3 per cent in Waajid. However, majority of the respondents 93.1 per cent from Diinsoor, 86.4 per cent from Qansax Dheere and 49.4 per cent from Wajid reported that everyone in the community did not able to access the available services for GBV survivors.
Reports of gang rapes and murders of rape victims have also increased in Somaliland. The risk of families undertaking early marriage for their female children is increasing with the event of drought.
“The food insecurity situation is already extremely concerning and unless aid providers can immediately scale up aid operations in some pre drought hit areas, it will leave disastrous consequences for the millions of our people. The Gu' rain season is projected to be poor and below average and even very low in some areas, while water and food shortage continue to exacerbate the already existing fragilities,' Said Hon. Khadija Mohamed Dirie, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of Federal Government of Somalia.
In response to the new spikes of COVID19 cases in recent weeks, the Federal Government of Somalia has taken measures including banning all public gatherings, closure schools. All government employees were instructed to work from home, except for critical senior government staff.
In addition to the compounding effects of poor and erratic rainfall distribution in 2020 and the projected poor performance of the 2021 Gu'  ( April June )  rains already show signs of severe pre drought conditions in Gedo region of Jubbaland, South West State, Puntland, Galmudug and Somaliland, pushing millions of people into acute food insecurity, with dire consequences for marginalized and displaced communities.
Despite improvements in prevention54, between January and November 2020, more than 150,000 people were forcibly evicted from their homes.
Displaced and marginalized groups inequitably face barriers to healthcare and higher exposure to disease. Barriers to accessing healthcare must be addressed, along with reducing factors that increase risks of poor health and disease, including COVID 19, for persons living with disabilities.
At the national level, the median prevalence of GAM has remained serious  ( 10–14.9 per cent )  over the past three seasons  ( 11.8 per cent in 2020 Gu, 13.1 per cent in 2019 Deyr and 13.8 per cent in 2019 Gu ) .
In order to address the issue of malnutrition, more integrated interventions are recommended whereby all sectors play a critical role to prevent and protect  ( Pregnant or Lactating Women ) PLW and children from further deterioration.