TSUNAMI IN SOMALIA: UN Progress Highlights
Following is the “best scenario†picture the UN Agencies provides about their performance in the Tsunami devastated areas of the Somali Coast. However, the fact is that very little is being done for the Somali Tsunami victims. Both the TFG and international aid agencies are letting the Somali victims down very badly. Indeed, as we reported earlier money donated to the Tsunami is yet to reach its intended recipients. Out of almost one billion dollars the US Red Cross received after its appeal, it only spent about 29%. This is a disgrace! Someone has to stand up for the Somali Tsunami victims who loss their livelihood!
Health:
• In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided emergency kits to affected populations to cover the immediate health needs of 10,000 individuals. (Source: UN Indian Ocean Flash Appeal, Midterm Review, April 6, 2005.)Shelter:
• The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provided 1,050 family relief kits and distributed various emergency items to affected communities, including 50 tents, 2,000 blankets, 1,800 mosquito nets, and 420 fishing nets. (Source: OCHA Situation Report No. 35, April 8, 2005.)• A UN Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) and UNICEF program, which was launched in August, will provide shelter to over 2,400 individuals in Hafun through the construction of 400 housing units, public buildings, and sanitation facilities. (Source: UN Habitat, July 19, 2005.)
Education:
• UNICEF’s educational campaign in Hafun trained teachers in disaster management, established temporary classrooms, distributed educational materials, and created a Community Education Committee geared at increasing school enrollment. As a result, primary school enrollment in Hafun increased sevenfold, from 50 to 340 students. (Source: UNICEF, “Post-Tsunami School Project Galvanizes Hafun, Somalia,†March 22, 2005.)Food: • In the disaster’s immediate aftermath, the World Food Program (WFP) distributed 218 metric tons of food aid to 12,000 people. (Source: WFP, “In Brief: Food Aid for Somali Fishermen,†January 5, 2005.)
Water/Sanitation: • Immediately following the disaster, UNICEF trucked water to the most severely affected village in Hafun, providing water storage for 4,500 people, rehabilitated 10 wells, and provided water and sanitation for four temporary classrooms. (Source: UNICEF, Response at 90 Days, March 31, 2005.)
• Through OCHA’s Humanitarian Response Fund, ten water reservoirs are being constructed that will benefit 34,236 persons. In early 2005, some 4,000 households of displaced fishing populations and pastoralists benefited from water trucking operations. In addition, a pilot project for energy source diversification supplied solar cookers to 950 households. (OCHA Somalia, November 2005.)
Livelihoods:
• Due to rugged terrain and underdeveloped road networks in the north, humanitarian access to the coastal areas were seriously constrained when the tsunami struck. Through cash-for-work projects, two road rehabilitation projects will improve access and income opportunities and will boost the local economy. (Source: OCHA Somalia, November 2005.)• 2,000 fishers will be supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the provision of cash, boats, equipment, and training on improved fishing techniques and boatbuilding as well as support for post-harvest activities. At FAO, tenders have been issued for approximately $209,800 worth of fishing gear for the affected communities. (Source: FAO, Progress Report on FAO Assistance and Delivery, June 24, 2005.)
• FAO will provide larger boats to replace the destroyed smaller boats and is building 13 multi-day boats. (Source: FAO, August 24, 2005.)
SOURCE: United Nations Special Envoy for the Tsunami
Pres. Bill Clinton