WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: SOMALIA OPERATIONS SITUATION UPDATE AS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 UN ROME 000010 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/HS, PRM/MCE, AF AND EB/IFD/ODA USAID FOR DCHA, FFP, OFDA, AND AFRICA BUREAU NAIROBI FOR GEORGIANNA PLATT, SUREKA KHANDAGLE, NICK COX AND PETE MOHAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: WFP AORC EAID PREF UNHCR SUBJECT: WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: SOMALIA OPERATIONS SITUATION UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 29, 2010 REF: A) 09 STATE 132604; B) UN ROME 01; C) UN ROME 03; AND D) UN ROME 08 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) On January 29, WFP reported to the Mission that: -- There were no security incidents reported against WFP staff or implementing partners during the January 25-29 period. -- WFP has no intention to restart operations in Southern Somalia in the near future, and reiterates that UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Marc Bowden's comments to the media in Geneva on January 28 did not reflect WFP policy and Bowden had not consulted with WFP before speaking to the media. WFP would like to restart operations if and when conditions permit in Southern Somalia. -- WFP is continuing efforts to build up logistics and storage capacity in Galkayo, where 10 wiikhalls (reftel D) were delivered and are currently being built. This extra capacity will assist in meeting additional needs should fighting between pro-TFG and Hizbul Islam elements escalate and destabilize Afgoye and Hiran (analysis of reports of increased fighting indicates this may occur). ¶3. (SBU) WFP also has provided its latest situation report, which is pasted in its entirety below: BEGIN REPORT "WFP Somalia Operations Situation As of January 25, 2010 Summary Update -- WFP is attempting to distribute 223 mt of assorted food through a general food distribution to 17,500 beneficiaries in Doolow in the north of Gedo Region, southern Somalia. The first convoy of trucks carrying WFP food from Mombasa to Doolow was blocked at the Kenya/Somalia border from proceeding by Al Shabaab (A/S). The WFP contracted transporter tried to sub-contract the transportation to local businessmen. They also refused to transport the food further to final distribution points (FDP) in Dolow under pressure from A/S. At this stage, WFP may not be able to reach the planned beneficiaries in Doolow. -- Armed forces from A/S and Hizbul Islam entered WFP compound at Beletweyne on Friday. After WFP's discussions with local authorities who exerted their influence and pressure on the armed groups, all items were returned to WFP office. WFP had previously moved all staff and the majority of assets / equipment out of the compound. WFP is closely monitoring the development of the situation. It may consider to move the remaining items at the office should there will be a change in local authorities. -- A mid-term review of the initial phase of the joint Oxfam/Novib, Saacid, UNICEF and WFP SFP/TFP programme in Mogadishu, was undertaken by VALID International. The results of the review will be released shortly. During the first 18 weeks of this initial phase in 8 centers in Mogadishu a total of 30,330 children under 5 were screened for malnutrition of which respectively 10,642 and 2,475 were admitted in the WFP supported TSFP and the UNICEF supported OTP programmes. It is worth mentioning that no major security incident was reported by the beneficiaries or the staff of these 8 centres. -- WFP continues with post distribution monitoring (PDM) and beneficiary screening for the village database in central Somalia. These two activities were successfully undertaken in accessible districts at North Hobyo and South Galkayo. However, difficulty was experienced in south Mudug in reaching the pastoralists due to seasonal migration. In South Hobyo, the cooperating partner advised WFP not to proceed to the area due to insecurity. In addition to the presence of piracy and other gangs in those areas, inter clan fighting between communities is UN ROME 00000010 002 OF 002 ongoing. -- WFP fielded a mission to Mogadishu on 20th January. The mission met with Amisom's Force Commander to discuss possible rehabilitation projects through FFW in Mogadishu and the possibility of assisting Somali victims (inpatients/outpatients) being treated in Amisom's medical centers. -- Flights to Galkayo, Bossasso and Hergeisa are continuing while flights to Mogadishu are approved on case to case basis. WFP Security Update -- Mogadishu: Day missions for international staff members are possible subject to New York Security Clearance. WFP National staff members continue to operate from the seaport. Reports indicate that VBIED and or PBIED attacks are highly expected to occur in Mogadishu ahead of the one year anniversary of President Sheikh Sharif in office on January 30. Villa Somalia, MIA, Seaport and UNCC are at particular risk. -- Puntland: Assassinations and hand grenade explosions are expected to continue especially in Galkacyo, Bossasso and Garowe. The Sool region, in particular the capital Las Anod remains a hot spot, as both Somaliland and Puntland claim this territory and has fought over its control. There is currently no indication that extremists from south central zones are behind recent attacks. Considering recent incidents, there is a trend of increased insecurity and instability in Las Anod, resulting in reduced access for UN missions. -- In Hargeisa, Bossasso and Galkacyo, international staff members are present and able to continue with programme activities for Northern and Central Regions. Somaliland presidential elections remain the highest point of concern, followed by threats of suicide attacks." END REPORT COUSIN