Field Operation

Somalia

Insurgency attacks in Somalia remains a critical security concern. The Islamic insurgency group, Al-Shabab, government forces, inter-clan, troops from the African Union Mission and other foreign forces, frequently engage in violent clashes. All parties to the conflict are contributing to an extremely volatile environment where civilians are the innocent victims with their basic human rights compromised. The prolonged conflict has left little room for the functioning of rule of law—civilians have little to no recourse to justice mechanisms and basic access to humanitarian and protection services. Somalia is also at the brink of famine—three consecutive rainy seasons have failed.

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Somalia

Protection Issues

Armed conflict, climate shocks and disasters such as sudden flooding and droughts, have uprooted thousands of Somalians from their homes. Rates of internal displacement owing to armed conflict and climate change remain high—with over 540,000 people displaced by conflict and over 245,000 people displaced due to climate change in 2021. The continuing armed conflict affect daily lives of civilians—frequent incidents of forced evictions, weapon contamination and direct attacks on civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence, child recruitments, and attacks on basic civilian infrastructures, such as schools, medical facilities and water supply stations. Violations of rights continue with grave impunity— judicial and law enforcement institutions are extremely weak. Malnutrition rates and poverty in Somalia remain exceptionally high. At the same time, due to the ongoing conflict, access by and access to humanitarian and protection sectors remain low.

Somalia

Cluster Operation

The Protection Cluster in Somalia was activated in XXX to ensure the coordination of protection interventions in emergencies and to respond to the protection needs of persons affected by conflict and disasters. The Protection Cluster comprises over 140 organizations (of which 70% are national NGOs) and four Areas of Responsibility, including: Child Protection, Gender Based Violence, Explosive Hazards and Housing, Land and Property. The Protection Cluster is led and coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and co-coordinated by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). 

 

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Protection Cluster Team

Boris Aristin Gonzales

Coordinator
UNHCR
Mail: aristing@unhcr.org

Zahra Hussein Adan

Co-Coordinator
Danish Refugee Council (INGO)
Mail: zahra.adan@drc.ngo

Phidel Hazel Arunga

Information Management Officer
UNHCR (UN agency)
Mail: arungap@unhcr.org

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