Briefing paper: Living in Fear

Oct 06, 2023

Somalia

The protection environment in Somalia is characterized by insecurity and volatility, limited basic services capacity and provision, weak or absent protection systems, low awareness of - and respect for - basic rights and rules governing armed conflict, discriminatory and harmful socio-cultural practices relating to gender, access impediments for humanitarian workers, and the socio-economic and political disenfranchisement of minority clans and other marginalized groups.

Some 1,599,000 people have been displaced in Somalia within ten months of 2022 (Jan-Oct). This is the highest number of internal displacements recorded since the launch of the Protection Return Monitoring Network (PRMN) in 2015. Whilst drought and looming famine are reported as the primary drivers of displacement, the renewed escalation of armed conflict has also contributed to an increase in forced displacement. Minorities and other similarly marginalised groups - such as persons with disabilities (PwDs), as well as older people, women and children, are disproportionally affected. Children are particularly at risk of becoming separated from their families or other caregivers.

During this reporting period, the PRMN has reported more than one million drought- related displacements, at least half a million conflict-related displacements and over 6,300 protection violations across Somalia. Women and girls make up the majority of those affected by these violations (57%). The displacement situation as a result of conflict is especially precarious in Hiran, Galguduud, and parts of Lower and Middle Shabelle regions, given that atleast 47% of conflict-related displacements reported between January and October 2022 originate from the Hiran region. The majority of these households have been displaced within the Hiran region, or have fled to Galgaduud, Middle Shabelle and Banadir regions.

Conflict and insecurity have contributed to increased protection risks. Between August and October 2022 for example, there were reports of an estimated 78 children forcibly recruited by NSAGs. FGDs and KIIs with conflict-displaced families in Mogadishu and Baidoa revealed violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict. Similarly, more than 31 parents from Bakool region, reported that their children escaped from forced recruitment, restriction on movement, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), forced/early marriages, and inadequate housing. During this period, PRMN partners reported estimated 78 children forcibly recruited by NSAGs. FGDs and KIIs with conflict-displaced families in Mogadishu and Baidoa revealed violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict. More than 31 parents from Bakool region, for example, reported that their children escaped from forced recruitment.