SSC-kkatumo continued to face a dire human rights and humanitarian crisis, conflict between Somaliland armed forces, and SSC civilian resistance army, and this resulted in the deaths, injuries, and displacement of thousands of civilians.with civilians bearing the brunt of widespread attacks, sexual violence against women and girls, arbitrary arrest, and extrajudicial killings.The humanitarian situation worsened, driven by the cumulative and compounding effects of years of conflict, inter-communal violence, food insecurity, the climate crisis, and displacement following the August outbreak of conflict in SSC regions.
we are delighted to inform the SSC-Khatumo needs assessment report.The report render and outlines forthcoming conjunctive strategies to get over these obstacles. This determination we made will shape the upcoming of the SSC -K hatumo regions. Will be closely working, inexhaustibly, harmoniously with SSC administration and other colleagues We will be Coordinating closely with the SSC administration and other humanitarian organizations. Our teams are on standby to help our community, affected by conflict, drought, and natural disasters
Regards
Farah Esse Hassan
Somali Canadian Federation & Development (SCFD)
Chairman
Professor: Suldan Mohamed Ali Osmail
Somali Canadian Federation & Development (SCFD)
Executive Director
Executive Summary Las’anod is the administrative capital in SSC-Khatumo interim administration. Its security is very reliable to facilitate any project for the benefit of conflict affected population and marginalized internally displaced persons (IDPs) Lasa’nod and its surrounding areas has plentiful natural resources such as agriculture and livestock products. The current population of is estimated to be 108,351 people. Male Population 53,893 (49.7%) Female Population 54,458 (50.3%) unfortunately, Lasa’nod has not benefited from natural resources and it is one of the worst affected areas in SSCKhatumo regions of the two years battle-zone. It is a place where somaliland armed forces have vowed to capture.The above mentioned prolonged conflicts in (Las’anod) and the impact of battle had devastating effect on every aspect of the lives of the people in SSC-Khatumo regions. The period that the population of SSC suffered most was the years during somaliland ruled the area. many innocent people to leave the area and go to other regions of Somalia for humanitarian assistance or went to Ethiopia to seek refugee in order to get assistance
Security and Access
It completes 1 year and half, since Somaliland armed forces were dislodged from SSC regions by Khatumo resistance army. The security situation in all SSC regions are still reliable.Since captured,has not seen serious security problems. Security experts interviewed said that SSC regions are safer than, many other regions to compare. after captured, Somaliland armed forces could not carryout killings, kidnapping, direct attacks or assassinations at even soft targets. due to full cooperation among the communities and SSC security forces. The assessment team is of the opinion that humanitarian organizations, institutions and SSC concerned ministries have free access to operate at this point of time. The assessment team was informed that almost somaliland self declared administration, have not implemented any development projects, this factor has reduced not to benefit from the natural resources of the area and the service industry which should have created income generating projects, during this period Somaliland implemented their extreme version, they received taxation and used the revenue for their military adventure without investing anything, discouraging, those who wanted to come back from overseas (SSC Diaspora) and other investing companies, sool, sanag and Cayn regions.
Key findings
- Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR)
- Enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places
- Enhancing information and intelligence sharing and analysis
- Combating domestic violent extremism
- Enhancing Cybersecurity
- Enhancing community preparedness and resilience
- To engage transitional elders to empower security agency
- Capacity building (Training)
(WASH )
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Over the last two years of conflict, drought in the regions of SSC-Khatumo have devastated the water sector. The water supply and sanitation related damages by Somaliland armed forces, including the destruction of, only one operational borehole in Las’anod, Berkads, hand-dug wells and dams which were the main sources of water in the region. This resulted in higher water quality access costs to many innocent vulnerable people, some of the population can only rely on ground water supplies, like dams and Berkeds, while the rest depend on water trucking. The cost of each barrel prices are 3 dollars.The conflict, has destroyed the water infrastructure in SSC-Khatumo regions, particularly the main Borehole in Las’anod and people have resorted to digging hand- dug wells. These wells are privately owned and are unprotected at all times, most of the wells in SSC-Khatumo are salty and dirty not fit for domestic consumption (extremely salt during dry seasons) privately owned wells that have soft water and people have to buy water from these wells. henceforth, it is difficult for IDPs, host community and vulnerable people to buy water for their daily consumption, in addition to that, women and girls walk long distances to fetch water for the family. The women surveyed reported that walking long distance to fetch water has denied them to spare valuable time for other domestic house work. More seriously, young girls who were school going ages help their mothers with house work. water supply systems are tremendously weak water supply management models, high operational and maintenance costs, lack of supply chain of spare parts and technical limitation of private service provider’s companies in SSC-Khatumo, double the cost of water prices, during dry seasons. In case of technical problems, water providers are not reliable. Ninety (90% percent of SSC-Khatumo population currently face water shortage.
The situation is further intensified by poor hygiene practices. families may drink unclean water, pushing them at risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, the leading causes of death among children in SSC- Khatumo.
(Wash) Water, sanitation and hygiene, lack of sanitation facilities cause hundreds of the people to die from preventable diseases in SSC-khatumo, particularly children, under the age of five years suffer or die of diarrhea.
Water for Domestic use:
On average, each household uses 40 liters per day (two 20-liter Jerry cans). With an average household of six members, each person uses 6 liters per day. The water is drawn mostly from unprotected Berkeds, open dams and hand-dug wells with low water yield. These wells are not treated and have poor drainage system. In addition to that, the water is very expensive for IDPs, returnees, Pastarolist and poor communities. The common form of water storage is 20-liter plastic Jerry cans. Each family has an average of two containers which are used for both collecting and storing the water, as such the capacity for the family to store water is very limited.
This is a new hand- made form of water container mostly used to store water, instead of barrel or water tanks in SSC regions. Commonly this container is placed infront of each house or business premises. Assessment team noticed that such container isn’t desirable to store water for human consumption, because of climate, hot during the day and humid at night. With in two months the colour of the water changes and the container rusts, contaminating the water for use.
Water Treatment:
During the assessment none of the respondents reported using treated water (neither chlorinated nor boiled)
Open Shallow wells located inside valley ( neither chlorinated) mainly water sources in las’anod and its surrounding areas.
Sanitation and hygiene
- It plays an important role in improving a general health of the community
- It’s part of personal hygiene, for disposal of human feces
- it reduces the incidences of water related diseases
Latrine Facilities:
Latrines are almost none existent at some IDP settlements visited. There is no enough latrines in Adhi’adiye IDP residence which has a population of 960 house hold (5,760 ) persons. many IDPs sites use bush for defecation. The residence elders & other members did show an understanding of the importance of constructing and using latrines even (communal latrines) are better suggestions
Access to soap:
- None of the respondents used of soap for washing hands after visiting the latrine and before eating.
- 70% of the IDP and host community interviewed have no access to soap and the importance of soap while the rest, did not have access to soap and did not know its use. Preparation of ORS:
None of the responds know how to prepare oral re-hydration Salts (ORS)
Below are the list of the targeted sites with some details.
| S/N | Site Name | Site Category | Population |
| 1 | Adhiadeye | IDPs | 960HHs |
| 2 | Gumeys | IDPs | 500 HHs |
| 3 | Tukaraq | IDDPs | 3,442 HHs |
| 4 | Kalabaydh | IDPs | 1,700 HHs |
| 5 | Galbarwaqo | IDPs | 320 HHs |
| 6 | Sarmayo | IDDPs | 315HHs |
| 7 | Xudun | IDPs | 327HHS |
| 8 | Harwanag | IDDPs | 277HHs |
| 9 | Buhodle | IDPs | 1205HHs |
| 10 | Widhwidh | IDDPs | 145 HHs |
| Total: | 55,146 People |
Population figures
- According to the Community Committees, Local authorities and assessment outcome, The estimated population of these areas are 9,191 HHs (approximately 55,146 people)
Key findings
| WASH | it is evident that the target areas are suffering from water scarcity linked to lack of access to water sources.Water scarcity has already negatively impacted these IDPS, returnees and Pastarolist community as women and children are required to walk long distances to fetch waterPoor sanitation facilities in all the residences surveyed results in poor hygiene practices and thus increases the risk of outbreaks in acute water diarrhea (AWD)This is heightened by limited knowledge of proper sanitation and hygiene practicesThere were no safe and clean drinking water, and no water tracking missions ongoing in these areas.No sanitation facilities were available, and the people are at risk of outbreaks and water-borne diseases. About 55,146 People are urgently in need of emergency water tracking, hygiene kit distribution, water containers and emergency latrines The personal and environmental hygiene was poor due to shortage of water, lack of awareness, especially the IDP and host communities. |
Recommendations
- It is the recommendations of this report that meaningful investment in water, sanitation and hygiene programs are made
- The only meaningful of water source is borehole that can cover the needs of this population
- If borehole is drilled Water piping system should have done since there is significant distance between the beneficiary locations and water source
- Development of new water sources using appropriate technology.
- It is the opinion of the team that boreholes be considered as an option particularly in the IDPs, returnees and farmers and Pastarolist dwellings.
- Improving water infrastructure and service management, this will involve capacity building of local water management institutions (water user associations)
- Construction of household latrines at IDP camps and construction of institutional latrines
- Supply of hygiene kits to every household. Distribution of NFIs and shelter materials. Distribution of water storage containers.
- Carryout hygiene promotion campaigns all general and build the capacity of community hygiene volunteers (if any
ENVIROMRNTAL PROBLEMS
Waste Management
Waste management differs in the urban areas from that of the rural area, as there are more people in the rural area in comparison to the city. This is done in order to minimize harm to individual’s health as well as the environment. In SSC regions there is no distinction of the nature of waste, whether solid, liquid or any other form, waste will be considered as waste and dumped in the dumping sites. the identification of the dumping locations, there are one big dumping locations in Las’anod city, which is located in west. this one dumping places are the official places to dump the wastes that are collected from the five villages in Las’anod city. for the last one-year no body organized to assist in cleaning waste collection. Recycling, no recycling is practiced in Las’anod city. This needs regular cleaning and trash from such areas and dispose waste in the respective places. All garbage and rubbish collected from major villages are dumped in large holes dug several kilometers away from the town and lacking a separation process of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. instead all are dumped in one place which is not environment friendly. There are no tankers, which collect dump waste water outside the city. wastes that are harmful to humans. Las’anod city needs Friendly countries and international organizations, help prevent the dumping of wastes until the SSC administration gets the capability of tackling these problems. In general, SSC-Khatumo regions don’t have a recycling program in place therefore two commonly used materials like plastic bags and bottles are dumped or sometimes burned.
Challenges
- waste materials that can cause death or injury to living creatures
- waste or discarded material that can pose a long-term risk to health or environment.
- Waste garbage, brings leakage or evaporation from the storage, causes cancer to appear at increased frequency in exposed individual.
- Humans or animals often eat leftovers or drink expired foods, which is high temperatures, coursing food poising.
- Waste management is a critical issue affecting Las’anod societies
- poor waste disposal practices have profound environmental consequences
- Several factors contribute to the prevalence of poor waste disposal practices in SSC regions. Urbanization, population growth, inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and insufficient waste management policies all play a role in exacerbating this problem.
- Improperly discarded waste creates breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes, rats, and flies, increasing the risk of vector-borne illnesses such as malaria, and cholera.
- poor waste disposal has significant social and economic implications
- Waste undermines tourism potential, hindering economic development opportunities.
- The biggest environmental issues are the open dumping of unprocessed waste
- Plastic is a pernicious problem that has a long-lasting harmful environmental impact.
- Open dumping and burning of waste release toxic pollutants into the air, soil, and water, which can cause respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and other health problems.
Solutions
- Temporary waste dump
- Integrated waste management approaches, including waste reduction, recycling, composting, and proper disposal, can help minimize waste generation and promote resource efficiency.
- There are opportunities to improve waste management practices and mitigate environmental consequences in SSC community.
- Strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing public awareness through education and outreach programs.
- fostering community participation are essential elements of effective waste management strategies
- Reduce, re-use and recycle.
- Public awareness and education regarding waste management practices
- Improving waste management is, therefore, not only an environmental issue but also a crucial public health priority.
- Effective waste management requires sustainable, locally-driven solutions
Single-use plastics are incredibly wasteful
- Plastic water bottle
- Plastic bag
- Plastic cutlery
- Disposable coffee cup
- Disposable food containers
- Trash can
- Disposable & plastic razor
- Plastic toothbrush
- Toothpaste tube
- Menstrual single-use products
- Shampoo in a plastic bottle
Open dumping and burning of waste in Las’anod garbage dump.
Camels eating plastic garbage
One time used plastics are environmental hazard in SSC regions
Thirsty warthog looking for water in wadajir Village Lasa’anod
Forestry Deforestation
In Lasa’nod and other surrounding villages in sool regions, charcoal sales have become a common and profitable business, evident on streets, in kiosks, and in small shops. The charcoal is produced in nearby forests and transported to town for sales. In Lasanod, a full sack costs 22 dollars, for someone who produces 100 sacks, this can translate into an income of about 2,200 dollars for their family. The charcoal trade is predominantly male dominated. Women who engage in the business typically buy sacks of charcoal. It has become a source of living for those who have no other way to make money, so they go to the bush, chop down trees to make charcoal, and bring it to town to sell. During a visit to the area and interviewed dealers in lasa’nod, observed that most charcoal producers are IDPs, and poor people who do not receive enough food to feed their families, and Pastarolist who settle in the forests
fuel options
Charcoal and firewood are primarily used as fuel sources by households in SSC regions, due to the fact that they are both affordable and accessible. Other options such as gas, solar panels and even generators are unaffordable for the majority of the population.
Ahmed Hassan (not his real name) believes the conflict is a major driver of deforestation in Sool regions as it deprives people of food, forcing them to turn to forests for survival. “Conflict leads to food shortages, and deforestation becomes a source of income, whether for charcoal, building poles, or firewood,” he enlightens. it may not be the only factor. Bush burning is another challenge, leading to the destruction of young trees. Setting bushes or areas around compounds on fire is common, with little regard for the negative impacts on soil and forests.deforestation is driving the SSC regions towards poverty and other environmental degradation that can be a reason for long-term economic, social and environmental barriers in the coming future.
Challenges
- Recurrent drought
- Nomads overpopulate areas with water wells & bore holes etc leading to severe land degradation in those areas.
- Burning of forests and the uprooting of mature trees for charcoal to be exported for hard currency
- Lack of properly graded roads leads to truckers and private cars choosing to drive on virgin land leading to hundreds of kilometer of dead and dust this contributes to the creation of dry that spoil pasture land.
- Heavy dependency on wood/charcoal for cooking. As 70% of Somalis are nomads following the rains, their constant movement.
Recommendations
- More in-depth, to provide data can help break the link by promoting economic alternatives to deforestation in conflict-affected areas.
- Plant more trees
- Support organizations fighting deforestation and government institutions
- Community Awareness
Truck of charcoal heading to Las’anod city
Lasa’anod charcoal market, a sack of charcoal is 22 dollars in Lasa’anod, the highest price, comparing the rest of other towns in somalia, due to the conflict & environmental condition.
Education
The internal conflict virtually wrecked the education system. It is characterized by poor-quality, insufficient numbers of qualified teachers and inadequate resources, in public schools. The formal education system in SSC-Khatumo has been significantly disrupted over the last 2 years as a result of conflict and displacement. Damaged infrastructure, limited investment in teachers and curriculum. Impact on access to and quality of education. The conflict has caused the interruption of studies at higher education institutions and affected teachers and faculty, many of whom are deliberately targeted in the region, during the conflict. The pressure of professors and other members of the country’s intellectual elite has resulted in a massive brain drain and the deterioration of educational quality. Universities are chronically understaffed and senior lecturers are being replaced with poorly trained junior faculty, At least dozen of professors have been assassinated between 2007 and 2023 – likely a low-ball estimate, given a high number of undocumented cases. While there are no reliable statistics on how many teachers have fled in SSC-Khatumo regions.hundreds more have since fled, along with large numbers of medical doctors and other professionals.
The elementary education cycle in SSC-Khatumo is 6 years long, from grade 1 to grade 6. Students are registered in the 1st grade at the age of 7, following a non-compulsory 2-year pre-school stage (ages 4 and 5) Students attend school for 6 days a week, from Saturday through Thursday, with an average study load of 5 hours a day. Classes are usually 45 minutes in length.Additionally, autonomous Somaliland administration turned schools into military outposts from which it launched mortars, hand grenades and rockets at schools in Lasa’nod, according to interviews with locals. More than 87 attacks on schools were recorded. In addition to that, there are a number of fundamental necessities that schools lack, including scientific laboratories, libraries, an up-to-date curriculum, teacher training, food sources, latrines, and clean water shortages in about 90% of schools ( 2024). There are several recorded complaints regarding inadequate facilities, and students suffer as a result of this deficiency.
Stigma of menstrual period obstruct schools in SSC-khatumo
Nimco ( not her exact name) 16 years old has a period problem, she misses her lessons every month 4-6 days, during her menstrual period. Her family who is in IDPs settlement in Kalabaydh is incapable of buying sanitary pads. Many other girls of her school age, don’t have access feminine hygiene supplies such as sanitary pads. Menstrual periods and feminine hygiene are taboo subjects culturally in Somalia, but highly sensitive in SSC-khatumo regions. This challenge creates the need to develop programs that would bridge the gap between the need for a student’s education and communities’ lack of knowledge to discuss sexual reproductive issues, like wise feminine hygiene. The assessment team recognized now that they miss their classes when on their period. Parents can barely afford two meals a day for their children, instead of buying sanitary pads. It is a collective responsibility to respond to this menstrual health issue in SSC Katumo administration. Menstrual supply must be provided in school going girls, to decrease absenteeism in schools.
Halimo (Not her identity) one of the secondary school in las’anod said that, the main thing I always use my money is for buying sanitary pads, not to miss my class, for the time being, i was ashamed of to ask buying sanitary pads in the market, because must business people are male genders.
Literacy Rate
According to an interview of education experts said that, the literacy rate among Las’anod youth, 15 years and younger, is 53%. are considered illiterate, either dropped out of school or are unable attend due to family financial responsibilities.
Priority needs
- School feeding program need to be provided
- Support of orphans and vulnerable children in schools
- Provide study materials, such text books, bags and geometry sets.
- Rehabilitation of class rooms
- Rise number of enrollment in schools
- Employ teachers in schools
- Create school management committee
- New curriculum textbooks
To mobilize education system
- Focusing on reopening closed schools during the conflict
- school infrastructure
- organized technical and vocational education
- Training workshops
- Strategies in education system in SSC-khatumo
- Awareness-raising campaigns for parents
- Back-to-learning messages
- Construction and rehabilitation of Water Sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools
- Renovate school laboratory and library
Recovery
Thought the conflict affected every aspect of life, safeguarding cultural heritage to restoring education and addressing environmental concerns. In SSC-Khatumo education system, armed conflict, political instability, mass displacement and economic challenges have troubled access to quality education. Man-made disasters and climate change exacerbated the already worsened situation. Conflict has been ongoing for on doorstep, causing endless tensions. Local Tvs have been an effective peace-building instrument in SSC-Khatumo, educating people, supplying information, promoting freedom of expression across cultures, may bring positive examples and can resolve the challenges. Technology where people can access news, information, and entertainment through other means, Tv still is a powerful medium. In SSC Khatumo, televisions are still the most widely used source of information, education, and entertainment. Local Televisions are as a source of information can be used for learning and to foster peace through informative program.
About 200 meters off a main road in Las’anod surrounding areas, you will find Aqal Somali (Somali Traditional hut) building in which is both a residential or commercial. In distance you can’t hear loud voices because of the conflict, unless you get to the gate.
Challenges in schools
- Non-payments of salary for teachers increased risk of drop-out and non-return of both qualified and non-qualified teachers, after the conflict
- IDP, orphans and vulnerable families can’t pay School fees
- High costs to reach areas difficult to access, remote areas
- Weather related factors famine and floods, during dry and rainy seasonal
- School closure during conflict
- Classrooms were not accessible for Children with Disabilities
- surveyed schools reported that their female learners have not received any dignity kits.
- there was a rise in protection cases related to teenage pregnancies, early/forced marriage and gender-based violence.
- Uniform costs and exam fees are high
- families not being able to afford fees for their children to attend schools, or teachers not receiving regular and sufficient salaries
- Economic barriers to education may make alternative options (such as cattle rearing for boys and marriage for girls.
- lack of washrooms for girls, in schools
- Poverty, insecurity, poor quality education and cultural traditions that discriminate against girls in schools
- Traditional Somali family structures lead boys to go to school, while girls keeping at home
- Household chores, and engagement in informal unpaid labour.
- Secondary school dropouts working as primary school teachers across SSC-Khatumo regions.
- Inadequate infrastructure and facilities, such as laboratories and libraries.
Solutions
- Enhance teacher capacity to provide quality teaching
- Support ministry of education
- Support children to return in schools
- Harmonize of a multi- sectoral effort with health, WASH and Protection sectors to help schools remain open and function safely
- Campaign to increase the re-enrolment in schools
- provide quality education for all school aged children in SSC-Khatumo
- Social community support system that empowers education to stand up.
- Quality of teachers.
- Cash transfers aim to reduce the financial barriers that often hinder education
- School sports supply, to reduce violence and drug addicts
Muse Yusuf Secondary School (over crowded classes)
Classes destroyed during the conflict
