The Cluster at a Glance
Over the first nine months of the year (January to September) Cluster members distributed 98,070 standardised NFI kits, benefitting 588,420 Somalis affected by displacement. During the same time period, 296,000 IDPs benefitted from improved shelter. Cluster members used a variety of shelter types dictated by security of tenure and urgency of the need (see page 4)
In September, Shelter Cluster meetings were held in Hargeisa, Bossaso, Mogadishu and Nairobi to set the objectives and priorities for 2013 – 2015 (see page 3). This consultative process was an opportunity to visit the field and meet agencies operating in the contrasting environments.
The contrast between the different zones was underlined by the involvement in the shelter sector by the authorities. Increased participation enables more durable solutions to be found and donor confidence to invest in shelter.
After months of planning, mapping, settlement layout and discussions, the Tri-Cluster shelter component started in Sona K in Mogadishu (see page 2). As a beneficiary commented, “when the new shelter is completed, it will be a new day for us”.
The Cluster led an assessment of solar lighting in Hargeisa (page 3). As technology improves and prices come down, Cluster partners have more options to choose between, whether it be household lighting or street lighting. Whatever the technical solution, the benefits of solar lighting are clear.
The country-wide Shelter Cluster Review, led by REACH Initiative aims to consolidate documents inclusive of secondary data from shelter partners, remote sensing analysis and field data collection (page 2). Its scope will be to act as a baseline for the sector and to feed into relevant decision making and strategic processes such as government policies, CAP and other humanitarian key documents or funding decisions.
October heralds the 2nd CHF allocation ($3.25 million for Shelter) the submission of CAP projects and new funding for Emergency Reserve. During this busy planning period, agencies continue to deliver on long-term shelter projects while the needs for NFIs in response to conflict or natural disasters continue.