IDP News Alert, 8 January 2009

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced as a result of the Israeli military offensive against Hamas in Gaza which began on 27 December 2008. By 7 January UNWRA had registered 16,000 Palestinians who hade fled to 26 emergency UNWRA shelters. The UN has also estimated that over 10,000 people have sought shelter with hosts. The Israeli army has been dropping leaflets in northern and eastern Gaza and Rafah, and broadcasting messages ordering Palestinians to evacuate their homes and go to urban areas. However, Palestinians are barred from fleeing to Israel or Egypt, and movement within Gaza remains dangerous. Increasing numbers are reported trapped in their homes, with limited supplies.

More than 700 Palestinian and 11 Israeli lives have reportedly been lost since the offensive began. They include 43 killed and about 100 injured by the shelling on 6 January of an UNWRA school in Jahaliya which was providing shelter for displaced people, and three displaced Palestinians killed in the bombing of another UNWRA school the previous day.

The UN and humanitarian community have repeated called for a comprehensive ceasefire, and for access to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which was already suffering the effects of the blockade of the past 18 months. A ceasefire on humanitarian grounds was established for three hours on 7 January to allow the civilian population to access basic supplies and medical services, but hostilities subsequently resumed, and on 8 January UNRWA was forced to suspend aid operations due to the risk to its staff of attacks.

See also: IDMC OPT country page


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Somalia: Fighting between insurgents displaces 80,000

Up to 90 per cent of the population of the towns of Dhuusamarreeb and Guriceel in central Somalia have fled their homes as a result of fighting between two insurgent groups. According to local authorities in central Galgaduud region, at least 80,000 people have been displaced by clashes between the Al-Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a which started on 27 December 2008 and are still ongoing.

The top UN relief official for Somalia has condemned the level of casualties which the conflict has caused. “I am extremely alarmed by the fighting that has taken place in central Somalia during the past week,” stated UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mark Bowden. “I strongly condemn the unacceptable number of casualties and massive displacement of civilians who continue to bear the brunt of conflict and insecurity in the country.” Bowden called for a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian assistance to be provided to IDPs in Dhuusamarreeb and Guriceel, as well as in other parts of Somalia, where the UN estimates that some 3.2 million people, or 40 per cent of the population, are in need of assistance.

See also: IDMC Somalia country page


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Myanmar: Study shows more maternal health problems among displaced in east

Maternal health problems facing displaced women in conflict-affected areas of eastern Myanmar are widespread, according to surveys by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The researchers note that while the national rate of maternal deaths is at 360 per 100,000 live births, maternal mortality rates in Shan, Karenni, Karen and Mon states in the eastern part of the country, where ethnic conflicts and enforced village relocations have internally displaced more than half a million people, stand at around 1,000 per 100,000 live births.

According to the findings, access to maternal health care in eastern Myanmar is inadequate and most expectant mothers suffer from poor nutrition, anaemia and malaria, raising the risk of pregnancy complications. The forced relocations double the likelihood of women developing anaemia and greatly decrease their chances of receiving any antenatal care; those forcibly displaced are almost six times more likely to receive no antenatal care.

See also: IDMC Myanmar country page


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Senegal: Residents flee to the bush after demonstration clampdown

Following clashes on 23 December with security forces at a demonstration in Kedougou in Senegal’s Casamance region over living conditions, dozens of residents fled to the nearby forests for fear of reprisals. A local human rights organisation has accused the government of human rights violations in the handling of the protest, which was reportedly driven by long-standing grievances linked to social marginalisation and limited employment opportunities in Casamance. At the beginning of January the situation was reportedly getting back to normal with many of the displaced returning to their homes.

In 1982 and 1983, the government’s clampdown on mass protests against cultural discrimination and living conditions in the town of Ziguinchor reportedly triggered the insurgency by the Movement of Democratic Forces in Casamance.

See also: IDMC Senegal country page and a photo gallery of villages in Casamance affected by displacement.
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