Day: September 27, 2022

Over the last two weeks, light to moderate rains have been reported in parts of Somalia, marking the onset of Deyr season. However, many parts of the country remain hot and dry.

The western parts of Somaliland continued to receive good rains over the last two weeks. Some stations that recorded good rains over this period include Amoud 162mm, Qulujeed 100mm, Aburin 84mm, Sheikh 81mm and Magalo-Cad 68mm. Bari and Nugaal Regions of Puntland also received scattered rains, with Baran station recording the highest amount of 132mm over the past two weeks. Few areas in the central and southern regions of Somalia received light rains. The rains received so far are however of minimal impact, and the country continues to experience severe drought conditions. The rains are expected to spread in time and space during the coming weeks.

The cumulative rainfall forecast for the next seven days indicates scattered light rains across the country. Few pockets of moderate rains are expected in Togdheere, Sool and Sanaag Regions. Galgadud, Bakool and Lower Juba will also receive moderate rains in few places. The Ethiopian highlands where Juba and Shabelle rivers originate will have moderate to high rains during the forecast period.

Users are advised that this is a forecast, and there may be discrepancies between estimates and actual amounts of rainfall received.

River levels along Shabelle and Juba, and which have been rising since beginning of September have slightly dropped over the last one week. The levels are currently within the short term mean for this period.

Information on the forecast and observed river levels is updated daily and can be found on this link: http://frrims.faoswalim.org.

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

On 21 September, activities were organized by partner Libyan Scouts, in partnership with Fútbol Más Fundación and with the help of Abusliem Municipality, marking International Peace Day as part of UNHCR’s Sport for Peace programme. The programme uses sports training sessions to provide a safe place for learning and team building for displaced Libyans, refugees, and asylum seekers, aiming to help foster peaceful coexistence. This year’s theme focused on fighting racism to create a world where everyone feels that they can live together in peace.

As part of community engagement and empowerment efforts, UNHCR continued delivering training sessions on prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation (PSEA) to refugee communities. Last week, Somali, Ethiopian and Sudanese communities were invited for sessions which focused on the meaning of PSEA, its core principles, and the reporting mechanisms in place. The participants’ feedback highlighted the need to continue these sessions to increase the awareness of the refugee community.

Population Movements

So far in 2022, 16,733 asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants have been reported as rescued or intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG), the General Administration of Coastal Security (GACS) and the Libyan Navy over 160 operations. Last week, no operations were reported to UNHCR. Four unidentified bodies were recovered along the Libyan shores.

UNHCR Response

UNHCR, with partners, continues to provide help and services to some of the most vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees. Last week, partner, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) distributed hygiene kits and baby diapers to 100 individuals, including 39 women and eight children at the Community Day Centre (CDC), and core relief items to 58 asylum seekers and refugees, including 12 women and three children, in Triq Al Sikka detention centre and Libyan Red Crescent (LRC) shelter in Misrata. Partner CESVI provided emergency cash assistance to two households (nine individuals). Partner, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) provided emergency cash assistance in the form of vouchers to 75 households (143 individuals) at the CDC. The voucher modality enables persons of concern to purchase items including food, water, hygiene items, medicine through a number of identified suppliers. On 25 and 26 September, UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) distributed food assistance to a group of 210 asylum seekers and refugees in Benghazi.

At the Serraj Registration Centre, UNHCR identified 70 individuals who managed to escape or who were released from trafficking camps. They were all referred for protection interviews to identify their needs and provide the necessary assistance. Last week, 29 best interest assessments and 67 protection needs assessments were conducted with children and adults to identify their protection concerns, and assess their needs, including referrals to specialized services. Two individuals, who were identified as in need of shelter, were successfully put in care arrangements.

UNHCR outreach team carried out a field visit to Central Tripoli for protection monitoring. During the visit twelve individuals were identified including seven unaccompanied children and a single woman. All individuals were referred to relevant services including emergency registration and protection assessments.

UNHCR, through partner NRC, distributed gift cards to more than 300 displaced Libyans (64 households) in Tarhuna. The gift cards can be used to purchase items in local stores.
Through partner IRC, UNHCR provides health services at different public primary healthcare centres in Tripoli. During the reporting period, IRC provided 304 general health and reproductive health consultations, 71 mental health consultations and referred seven individuals to public hospitals and private clinics. IRC medical team supported 29 individuals through the 24/7 hotline, 20 of whom were referred for secondary medical assessments. Visits were carried out to Triq Al-Sikka, Triq Al Matar and Ain Zara detention centres (DCs), and more than 140 medical consultations were provided.

Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Tokyo – Japan on Tuesday held a state funeral to honor its former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was assassinated in July during an election campaign.

The decision to hold the state funeral also triggered protests around the event venue set up in a park near the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo, where over 700 foreign dignitaries and locals are paying tributes to the former leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, known for stabilizing the Japanese political arena.

The ceremony began at around 2.13 p.m. (0513GMT) after Abe’s cremated remains arrived at the venue and were handed over to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida by the slain premier’s widow Akie Abe.

It is the first time in 55 years that Japan is honoring any of its leaders with a state funeral. State funerals are reserved only for members of Japan’s imperial family.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Federal Government organised an event marking World Tourism Day in Mogadishu.

Several top officials from the ministry including minister Da’ud Aweys Jama and other guests from across the country participated the occasion.

“Somalia is a country ready for tourism and has many beautiful places both on land and sea. The Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism is working to attract international tourists,” said minister Daud at the event.

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27.

This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism.

Source: Somali National News Agency