Emergency in Somalia

Involving local communities

There are now one million internally displaced people in Somalia, most of whom have fled fighting in Mogadishu. They have moved to areas that are already inundated with displaced people and to communities whose ability to cope are already stretched to breaking point. Some of these areas have received poor rainfall resulting in lower than average crop production. Often, these are areas that humanitarian agencies cannot reach.

Photo: Oxfam

An internally displaced person receives an ID card entitling him to assistance

Prices for food and other items are at record highs due to hyperinflation - this is severely affecting internally displaced people, limiting their ability to make a living and generate an income. Oxfam continues to work in difficult conditions in areas of critical need, providing necessities such as water, sanitation and food.

Photo: Oxfam

Remains of the ‘Coca Cola’ internally displaced people’s settlement, Mogadishu. Photo: Oxfam

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of ongoing violence in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Those who cannot afford to flee Mogadishu are displaced within the city in densely populated, makeshift camps. 800 lived in the ‘Coca Cola’ camp (pictured) until it burnt down in late 2007. Oxfam is calling on all parties to the conflict to fulfil their responsibility to protect civilians and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Photo: Oxfam

Newly displaced people from Mogadishu, settling under a tree.

Many of those most recently displaced from ongoing insecurity and violence in Mogadishu are left with little or nothing. Some are even forced to sleep under trees - sometimes being charged rent to do so. Aid agencies are struggling to gain access to many people in dire need. A lack of shelter, safe water, sanitation and health facilities poses a high risk of outbreaks of disease such as cholera in camps.

Photo: Oxfam

Women and children at an internally displaced persons camp, Afgooye.

The majority of those displaced by conflict are women and children who are also the most vulnerable to harassment and ill-treatment. Approximately one in seven children under the age of five in Somalia is acutely malnourished and the UN estimates that 90,000 are at risk if they don't receive immediate help.

Photo: Oxfam

Internally displaced persons camp, Jowhar, with no humanitarian intervention.

Aid agencies have warned that a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Somalia at an alarming rate. Camps like this one, located 90km north of Mogadishu, have no basic assistance available because insecurity prevents agencies from operating here. This is the case for numerous camps throughout south central Somalia. Oxfam is calling on the international community to act now to save lives. Unfettered humanitarian access to all people in need must be negotiated immediately.

Photo: Oxfam