18 March 2005

Somalia: Earthquake and Tsunami

OCHA Situation (Part Report No. 32)

I. Situation

The Inter-Agency Assessment Mission was distributed on 11 March following the presentation of findings to the Puntland Authorities. The assessment confirmed that the existing emergency responses in the sectors of health, water, shelter, non-food items and food had largely met the identified humanitarian needs of the 44,000 people in the affected communities. The sectoral committees of the Somali Aid Coordination Body in Nairobi are currently in the process of creating sectoral response plans to address any remaining relief needs and advance the development of recovery plans.

II. Overview of Activities

WFP is providing food assistance to 30,000 of the 40,000 inhabitants in 39 settlements and villages along the Puntland coastline. The second round of food distribution concluded on 13 March with 29,400 beneficiaries receiving 352 metric tonnes of food. The third round will start this week and plans to reach around 30,000 beneficiaries. WFP intends to continue providing food aid through different channels (e.g. general and targeted distribution, Food for Work, Food for Training, Food for Education, and mother & child health programmes) until at least 30 June 2005; a program extension is being considered until 31 December 2005.

FAO will undertake three programmes over the coming 6 months, focusing on (a) damage assessment, (b) the appointment of a fisheries expert to focus on the establishment of community fishing associations, and (c) the provision of boats, engines, spare parts and fishing gear for those in need of livelihood support.

III. Main Challenges

The Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit in Geneva continues to look into reported hazardous waste and nuclear deposits dumped along the Somalia coastline, which may have been negatively affected by the impact of the tsunami. Along with other partners, the Unit is planning an inter-agency field assessment mission to identify the scope and nature of the problem and to determine the follow up actions required. Any efforts would likely be multi-disciplinary given the potential human health, radiological, humanitarian, and environmental impacts.