The El Niño climatic phenomenon has exacerbated drought conditions in the region, particularly in Somaliland and Puntland, and have affected an estimated 1.7 million people in 2016. Moreover, conflict and insecurity remain one of the drivers of needs in Somalia with frequent attacks on communities, causing displacement and human suffering.
The Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) invited the STAIT mission to look at a number of areas:
- Leadership and Coordination
- Emergency preparedness response
- Accountability to Affected People
- Access (bureaucratic impediments and as a result of insecurity)
The team included representatives from STAIT, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Action Contre la Faim (ACF), the Global Child Protection Area of Responsibility (AoR), and the Global Food Security Cluster. The mission members met with over 250 people bilaterally, in self-assessment exercises, and focus groups. This included the HCT, the inter-cluster group, clusters, donors, national NGOs, international NGOs, and individuals directly affected by the crisis in Mogadishu (Somalia), Nairobi (Kenya), Garowe (Puntland) and Hargeisa (Somaliland).
The HCT developed an action plan during the retreat on the final day of the mission, based on key issues identified during the mission. The plan sets out a series of actions that the HCT has committed to implement. Some of the main issues are listed below. The HC will report on progress to the EDG in April, 2017.
- Develop a HC/HCT Compact for mutual responsibility, a mechanism for two-way mutual accountability between the HC and HCT members.
- Produce a robust communication and resource mobilisation plan.
- Identify high priority protection issues and develop a Centrality of Protection Strategy.
- Develop a preparedness plan for sudden onset disasters, including advocacy messages targeting donors.
- Establish a rapid response mechanism.