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