CISA NEWS REPORT:
KISMAYO, September 21, 2012 (CISA) -Over 10,000 people have fled Kismayo since the start of month, 7,500 in last four days
UNHCR is closely following the situation around the Somali port city of Kismayo as thousands of city’s residents flee in anticipation of military activities and new clashes.
In September alone, more than 10,000 people have fled from Kismayo fearing the resumption of fighting. Movements substantially increased on Monday and have been continuing since. Some 7,500 people fled the area in the past four days due to growing tensions and belligerent statements.
Most of the internally displaced Somalis are leaving Kismayo and its surroundings on minibuses. Poorer households undertake the journey in Lorries and trucks, in some cases using donkey carts.
The majority of those displaced are heading to villages in other parts of Kismayo district as well as villages in the neighbouring Jilib and Jamame districts. Some are also moving towards Mogadishu and Dadaab refugee camps.
Most of those fleeing Kismayo say that they are planning to return as soon as the situation stabilizes. There are reports of sporadic militia attacks and looting. The displaced also fear being caught in the crossfire and possible reprisal attacks by armed groups operating in the town.
“Our monitors on the ground report that some civilians fear being used as human shields should fighting erupt in Kismayo, while others also fear possible retribution in the chaotic aftermath of battle,” said UNHCR Somalia Representative Bruno Geddo.
After two decades of conflict and violence Somalia remains one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, generating the largest number of refugees, second only to Afghanistan and Iraq. Today, more than a million Somalis live as refugees in the neighbouring countries. Another 1.3 million are internally displaced across Somalia.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
UNHCR is closely following the situation around the Somali port city of Kismayo as thousands of city’s residents flee in anticipation of military activities and new clashes.
In September alone, more than 10,000 people have fled from Kismayo fearing the resumption of fighting. Movements substantially increased on Monday and have been continuing since. Some 7,500 people fled the area in the past four days due to growing tensions and belligerent statements.
Most of the internally displaced Somalis are leaving Kismayo and its surroundings on minibuses. Poorer households undertake the journey in Lorries and trucks, in some cases using donkey carts.
The majority of those displaced are heading to villages in other parts of Kismayo district as well as villages in the neighbouring Jilib and Jamame districts. Some are also moving towards Mogadishu and Dadaab refugee camps.
Most of those fleeing Kismayo say that they are planning to return as soon as the situation stabilizes. There are reports of sporadic militia attacks and looting. The displaced also fear being caught in the crossfire and possible reprisal attacks by armed groups operating in the town.
“Our monitors on the ground report that some civilians fear being used as human shields should fighting erupt in Kismayo, while others also fear possible retribution in the chaotic aftermath of battle,” said UNHCR Somalia Representative Bruno Geddo.
After two decades of conflict and violence Somalia remains one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, generating the largest number of refugees, second only to Afghanistan and Iraq. Today, more than a million Somalis live as refugees in the neighbouring countries. Another 1.3 million are internally displaced across Somalia.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
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