Situation overview
The level of humanitarian assistance delivered in December and throughout 2012 remained high, with 1.2 million people receiving food and 1.6 million accessing clean water on average every month. Humanitarians were able to reach a good portion of the targeted population in need also due to gradual improvements in access to several areas in southern Somalia. Partners stepped up interventions in Baidoa, Marka, Afmadow and Kismaayo.
As the situation improved, more people returned to their areas of origin and fewer displacements were reported. December saw the lowest number of displacements in Somalia in 2012, with 4,500 people displaced across the country.
Despite improvements, assistance continued to be challenged by insecurity and Somalia also continues to experience high malnutrition rates especially among internally displaced people. In November-December 2012, FSNAU, Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners conducted eight nutrition surveys in IDP settlements among children aged between 6 and 59 months in Hargeisa, Burao and Berbera (Somaliland); Bossaso, Qardho, Garowe, Galkayo (Puntland); and Dusamareb Town in Central Somalia. Results indicate Critical to Very Critical nutrition situation among all the IDPs assessed with the exception of IDPS in Hargeisa and Garowe who were in Serious phase.