Operations

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia requested for funding from the Rapid Response window of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for a WFP managed project entitled ‘Enabling Humanitarian Relief Operations in Somalia by Improving Security Support Capabilities’.  The request for funds from CERF was approved for the amount of US$2,972,300.

The growing humanitarian emergency and the further deterioration of the security environment in Somalia over the past few months have deepened the crisis there.  This ever-worsening situation has highlighted the need for the augmentation of existing safety mechanisms, especially in the south and central areas of Somalia.  The objectives of this Special Operation (SO) address the crisis by calling for:

• the contracting and set-up of the necessary infrastructure to guarantee a 24/7 aerial relocation and medical evacuation capability within Somalia; and
• Enhanced security to facilitate the continuation of UN operations in the country, and to improve the overall security environment in Somalia.

This SO will specifically meet these objectives by providing the following:

• dedicated air assets for the provision of timely relocations and medical evacuations, and for the conducting of security risk assessments in areas of concern;
• establishment of medical stabilization centres;
• creation of capabilities for night landing; and
• Distribution of personal security-related equipment for all UN staff.

Enhancing security support capabilities enable programmes and operations to continue, which translates to the continued distribution of humanitarian relief and a decrease in staff vulnerabilities.

This SO will have a duration of 3 months and a total budget of US$ 2,972,300 inclusive of 7% ISC.

Countries

Somalia

  Somalia is one of the most dangerous places in the world, and the Horn of Africa country with probably the highest humanitarian needs – not least for food assistance – compared to the size of its population (listen to interview by BBC's Mike Thompson)....