Multi-Cluster Rapid Assessment on Clan Conflict and Flood in Beletweyne 25 - 27 May 2021
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Multi-Cluster Rapid
Assessment on Clan Conflict
and Flood in Beletweyne
25 – 27 May 2021
1Background
Armed conflict between local clan militias, which took place in Beletweyne district in May resulted in
the displacement of civilians, 25 injuries and 15 deaths. Houses were burnt and farms destroyed. The
fighting started in the north of Balat Weyne particularly in the villages of Baladulnuur, Dabeyl,
Lugbari, Buulokaahin, Dharkeynta, Haaracadeey, Bacaadbuuke and Dhaaywabar. Most of these
villages were burnt or destroyed by the fighting militiamen. According to the local authority, about
5,432 households were displaced with total persons (32,592) and integrated into their relatives in
Balat Weyne town and other safe areas.
Despite the fighting, the situation exasperated when floods hit the areas where the fighting occurred,
and the displaced people were affected by a subsequent displacement. Almost every year during the
rainy season, Beletweyne district faces severe floods. The roads across the Beletweyne town and
villages along the Shabelle River are damaged or become impassible adding challenges to the
humanitarian community to reach people in need. Due to the floods triggered by heavy rains, many
people were displaced from their homes/villages creating a humanitarian situation. In May 2021, as
expected floods hit most of the riverine villages, though the magnitude of the flood is lower than the
previous floods, more than 27 villages within the district are affected by the flood during this season.
1. At the beginning of the rainy season in mid-April 2021, heavy rains in the Ethiopia highlands
resulted in flood waves along the Shabelle River basin and streamed into Somalia leading to the
displacement of the riverine population particularly in the northern parts of Beletweyne town, as
well as damage of some community infrastructure and agriculture farms. In this background, a
Multi-Cluster Rapid Assessment led by Development Action Network (DAN) & Save the
Children International (SCI) carried out in 8 flood & clan conflict displaced locations namely
Guryoado, Mareerta, Doongaduud, Shiirkaneeco, Hoodleey, Bilisdiid, Bacaadaha & Bundowayn
in Beletweyne district. Seven teams of field data collection comprising of male and female
enumerators carried out household interviews with close to 672 households of total
affected/displaced population 39,318 for 27 villages.
2. This rapid assessment aimed to identify the general current situation and priority needs of
displaced people caused by floods & clan conflict in those villages/camps and come up with a
detailed summary of findings in line with the information needs defined by the clusters in Hiran
region. Though the flood affected population have increased during assessment hit new villages
in Dhagaxjibis & Hilaac sector villages of Beletweyne, the teams have also visited these new
locations to capture the information needed. The exercise had a total working time frame of 3
days as agreed in the multi-cluster meeting to identify and refine information needs with clusters ,
programme the questionnaire into KOBO tool, mobilize and train field data collection teams,
clean, analyze, and disseminate the report to the interested partners. The findings of this
assessment will be used to respond to the key priority needs of both flood & clan
affected/displaced people in these locations as well as to provide an overall picture of the
humanitarian dimension of the flood/conflict crisis that could be used as a starting point from
which to monitor changes in the situation and the effectiveness of humanitarian response and
early recovery activities.
23. Purpose and Objectives
The overall objective of this assessment was to collect information on the general situation
and priority needs of flood and conflict-affected/displaced people in Balat Weyne district.
The following key objectives were focused on the assessment:
• Collect basic information/data on displaced/affected people, reasons for displacement,
estimated total number of people affected/displaced, gaps in provision or access to basic
services and priority areas of humanitarian support.
• Identify sector-specific needs and priorities for the affected people to determine
possible actions.
4. Methodology
Due to the geographic scope of the floods and conflicts and the time frame availab le, a
geographically dispersed purposive sample of the population in areas most displaced was covered by
the exercise. The objective of the assessment was to survey at the household and community levels,
using a pre-defined questionnaire format that shared by OCHA, the circumstances, needs and
priorities of people affected and displaced by the floods & clan conflicts. As such, this kind of
assessment paints a picture of humanitarian needs and gives a voice to those affected by these crises.
This information can be combined with other sources including secondary data on the ground,
brainstorming of the cluster heads and historical prior assessments to make assumptions of overall
needs.
All data collected was uploaded directly from the mobile phones onto the KOBO online platform.
Information was analyzed by SCI and DAN and reviewed by OCHA and the clusters.
It was also used different triangulation of different methods of data collection including HHs
interviews, observation and qualitative data collection to improve data accuracy and reliability and to
use a strategic benchmark for future assessments and programming.
Below is the detail of the locations and number of households affected in the three areas/counties.
Table 1: Details of target locations, number of enumerators and HHs interviewed
S/N Villages/IDPs Team composition HHs Interviews
M F Total
1. Guryoado 5 1 6 96
2. Mareerta & Bilisdiid 3 3 6 96
3. Shiirkaneeco 5 1 6 96
4. Hoodleey 5 0 5 80
5. Doongaduud 5 1 6 96
6. Howlwadaag- Bacaadaha 5 0 5 80
7. Bundoweyn 3 3 6 96
35. Participants of the rapid assessment
It has been agreed during the inter-cluster meeting the cluster heads will mobilize their teams to
participate actively in the rapid assessment. Consequently, several humanitarian organizations that
have presence in Hiran region have contributed resources including human and logistics to the
assessment. Below table shows their details;
Table 2: Partners and their resource of contribution
S/N Name of the NGO Contribution
Human Vehicle
1 SCI 10 2
2 IR 4 1
3 CESVI 3 1
4 WARDI 3 1
5 SRCS 3 0
6 MAR 3 0
7 FENPS 2 1
8 DAN 2 0
9 DRC 2 0
10 MERCY USA 2 0
11 HIWA 2 0
12 GEELO 1 1
13 NoFYL 1 1
14 SYPD 1 1
15 RI 1 1
16 HREC 1 0
17 BARDO 1 0
18 AADSOM 1 0
19 HIDIG 1 0
20 Citizen NGO 1 0
21 Midnimo 1 0
6. Assessment Findings
In general, affected people by the flood and conflict are in hard conditions. The severity of the effect
differs from place to place. The data collected shows that, a total of 5,452 households (32,712
people) were displaced while thousands more were indirectly affected. Most of the displaced people
have settled in the nearby villages especially in schools and public. The schools in Hoodleey,
Guryoado and Tuulo Hiiraan are occupied by the displaced people. The areas assessed and the key
findings are summarized below;
6.1. General context information
4Table 1.1 summarizes the 8 targeted villages/IDPs of the rapid assessment whereby most of the
interviewed respondents were from three rural areas namely Bundoweyn (15%), Doongaduud
(15%), Gurayoado (15%), followed by Howlwadaag village (14%), shiirkaneeco (12%), Mareerta
(11%), Bilisdiid (11%) and lastly Hoodleey (7%). Hence this shows that most of the flood &
conflict-affected population were in rural areas especially in riverine villages with limited live
facilities dominant there.
Table 3: Respondents per village
Number of respondents per village/IDP
Village Frequency of respondents Percentage
Bundoweyn 97 15%
Doongaduud 95 15%
Guryoado 96 15%
Hoodleey 44 7%
Howlwadag/Bacaadaha 90 14%
Mareerta 69 11%
Bilisdiid 74 11%
Shiirkaneeco 80 12%
Grand Total 645 100%
Figure 1 Nature of shock
This indicates that most of
the interviewed respondents
were flood affected people
(54%), followed by clan
conflicts (33%) and lastly
both clan & flood affected
which is (13%). This shows
still that rural riverine villages
have been severely affecting
the floods which destructed
most of their crops and
houses while some
5populations in those villages have both been affected by clan conflicts as well as floods putting a
burden on their livelihoods and living conditions as compared to those only affected by floods.
On the other hand, the fighting among the clans in riverine villages of Beletweyne northwest
resulted in massive displacement of both inhabitants hailing from both the two fighting clans
(Makane & jijeele). The situation gets worsened after several mediations led by Hirshabeelle state
members, Hiran local authorities, as well as traditional elders of the two clans, failed. However, there
are temporary efforts of peace mediation process led by ministries of the federal government which
has slightly reduced tension. Most of the displaced inhabitants who hail from the Makane clan fled
to riverine areas northeastern villages and their situation was exacerbated by the current floods hit to
the riverine villages with no humanitarian support extended to them, meanwhile, those other
inhabitants from Jijeele fled to northwest ago pastoral villages namely Farmajabaaley as well as to
outskirts of Beletweyne town. Most of the displaced people are in a desperate situation.
6.2. Food security and livelihood
The floods substantially affected the farms in all the areas and the harvest will be significantly
decreased. As the farms are the main source of food and income for most of the communities in the
affected areas, it will adversely affect the affected people.
Most of the interviewed respondents have shown the assets they brought with them were farm
produce (51%), livestock (27%) and lastly on other assets such as casual labor and support from
their relatives.
Most of the interviewed respondents (66%) indicated that their stocks were in the depletion stage,
while others indicated they depend on gifts from relatives or friends, borrowing, collection of wild
fields, hence there is a high need for food or cash support to save lives of the affected people.
Lastly, it was noted down during the exercise while doing observations, the assessed locations,
floods have been destroyed estimated of 1235 hectors of land and 15 irrigation canals.
Education
It was indicated during the interview that a predominant number of schools were closed due to
school final term vacation while the final classes of intermediate and secondary students have been
preparing to sit final exams, but unexpectedly disrupted by the floods & conflicts. Hence,
approximately 400 of students were not able to attend this exam while others have been relocated to
other safe villages like Doongadud village.
The floods affected 10 schools with an enrollment of 498 (349 and 149 girls) while conflict-affected
7 schools, that has 348 (139 boys and 209 girls) enrollments. The schools were closed due to the
above-mentioned reasons. Some of the affected schools were inundated whereas oth ers were
surrounded by floodwater and cut off all the access roads. This assessment does not establish the
exact damage of classrooms, toilets, and other school infrastructure because the affected schools
were still inaccessible due to floods and insecurity.
66.3. Nutrition
It has been determined that the majority of the interviewed respondents (56%) in the assessed
locations have said that there are no ongoing nutrition programs while (45%) have said yes. Further
analysis made indicates those respondents that said yes with regards to the ongoing nutrition
program were in rural villages while those who said no were living in urban villages and IDPs. It was
also identified during the assessment that most of the nutrition programs are in gaps due to low
funding, low of nutrition supply, COVID-19 and re-current flooding and conflicts. Furthermore, an
observation made during the assessment has indicated the children in the assessed locations have a
great number of children in moderate malnutrition. Due to recurrent disasters including droughts,
conflicts, locust infestation, and floods, hence this will adversely lead to low farm production and it
will result in increase of malnourished children in the affected villages/IDPs.
It was determined that 4 nutrition sites in Buulo kaahin, Leebow, Bacaadbuuke and Bacaad were
affected by floods and clan conflicts.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
A large number (64%) of targeted respondents in the assessment have indicated that their major
source of drinking water was the river or were using flood water, followed by 26% from shallow
wells while fewer number of respondents (9%) said that they get their drinking water from Berkads
respectively. It was also noted that the majority of the respondents (77%) have shown that they have
containers either to store or fetch water. However, respondents said that the water containers are
jerry-cans of 20 litter capacity which shows that the targeted respondents have a limited capacity of
storing or getting water. The nearest distance to the available water sources is about 2km from their
displaced locations mostly in rural villages while in urban centers go to less than 500 meters.
On the other hand, it was also determined that a huge number of the interviewees (75%) have
shown lack of latrines in their locations hence go for defecation in open places which could
deteriorate the health conditions of the area. It was noted that they were 41 latrines available in the
evacuation sites and these were used by host communities while It was identified through
observation that most of the latrines were filled up due to overuse as 1 latrine is shared by up to 100
Households, Considering that the latrines are used by many people, they usually get filled up within
2 months, or less, to make the matter worse, 75% of flood and conflicted affected families from
assessed villages will resort using bushes for open defecations, encountering risks emanating from
long walks to nearby bushes for defecation. Besides health problems which also puts the safety of
women and girls at risk especially during the night.
6.4. Health
The analysis shows that a large number of the interviewed respondents (47%) said the nearest health
facilities in the assessed rural areas were health centers, followed by mobile clinics (16%) while those
respondents (10%) in urban locations said hospitals and local pharmacies. It was also noted down
that 24% of the interviewed respondents have indicated a noticeable number of diseases raised that
7led to death, these include measles, Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), Acute Watery Diarrhea
(AWD).
It is noted during the assessment that 2 mobile health clinics in Bacaad Buko and Baladunuur and 5
integrated community case management (ICCM) sites in Dabeyl, Haarcadey, Lugbari, D abaan and
Laabka were burnt due to clan conflicts.
Shelter and NFIs
In all the villages, shelters are affected, and people have been displaced. A huge number of
displacements in different locations, including schools, have been observed by the assessment teams
in all locations. The shelter and the settlement condition of the respondents (95%) in the assessment
areas indicated that the very poor were living in 'buul' (67%) and temporary shelter (29%). The
displaced people live overcrowded and lack privacy in their shelters and at risk of eviction with no
protection at all in the rural areas while those in urban have the same condition plus rent fee. It was
also identified that displaced people have not received support from any NGO or government so
far.
6.5. Protection
It was identified during the assessment that the displaced persons include persons with disabilities,
persons with chronic illness and older persons providing care to HHs. The most affected HHs due
to displacement were girls, persons with physical disabilities and elderly due to limited protection
mechanism for the sites as well as economic burdens of the displaced HHs.
7. Conclusion
The overall findings of the assessment showed that displaced population either by floods or clan
conflicts in all the 8 locations where the assessment was conducted need assistance such as
emergency water trucking, WASH supplies, food or cash vouchers as well as emergency shelter and
NFIs. Mobile health teams are also highly needed.
8. Recommendations
To provide appropriate & quick intervention to the most vulnerable population in the affected &
displaced areas, the following key suggestion have been made to the actors on the ground ;
✓ Shelter and NFIs are the top priority areas for the emergency response as there are many
families who were displaced from their homes due to clan conflicts, at the same their homes
were completely burned down and faced the effects of floods. Currently they are residing in
locations exposing many difficulties and unsafe conditions. The consequences of these
shocks are very high. This will expose them different challenges, which will affect their
wellbeing.
✓ The main food source of the affected communities are farm products. Currently, almost all
the farms are substantially affected by the floods. Therefore, the people need support in
vegetable garden, crop production and, fishing through provision of seeds and tools for
8areas along the river as the flood water recedes. This will allow the affected communities to
sell cultivated vegetables and catch fish to boost their earnings.
✓ As per the assessment, most of the water sources were affected by the floods and the
communities are using contaminated water, due to lack of sustainable water supply or lack
of ongoing Emergency Water Trucking (EWT). This will have a direct impact and might put
the vulnerable communities’ lives at risk. The affected families are in evacuation sites and
urgently need to be provided with some clean water through EWT and consider the
distribution of hygiene kits complemented with hygiene promotion and campaigns to help
prevent incidence of possible water borne diseases.
✓ Provision of unconditional cash transfers to the affected communities
✓ Prioritize the key needs of the targeted population targeting most current needs such as safe
drinking water, emergency latrines, food distribution and open nutrition & health services.
✓ There is a possibility of water-borne diseases at the level of outbreak. All health partners
need to closely monitor the situation all over the affected areas.
✓ Emergency health services, including supply of key medicines and other medical supplies to
existing health facilities are urgently required.
✓ Advocate for emergency funding and make a quick response as soon as possible to save
lives.
✓ Provision of teaching and learning materials for schools.
✓ Rehabilitation of damaged classrooms and other school infrastructure
✓ Emergency incentives for teachers
✓ Provision of school feeding to retain & increase school enrolled children.
✓ Rehabilitation and construction of school wash facilities
9. Acknowledgements
The multi-cluster assessment on flood and clan conflict in Beletweyne district was conducted by
INNGOs and NNGOs in the district. Thanks to the staff who dedicated their effort and time to
carry out the assessment. Special gratitude goes to local authorities, OCHA for their efficient
support in co-coordinating the assessment. Thanks to DAN & SCI for leading the assessment and
generation of the assessment report.
10. Photos
9A semi-permanent house burnt in one of the conflict affected villages
A flooded home in Belet Weyne town
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