Skip to main content

Somalia: General report Middle Juba, Sakow district, 28 Feb 2008

Countries
Somalia
Sources
SDIO
Publication date

Introduction

Generally the middle Juba is more stable than other region like lower Juba. Middle Juba falls on the south west of Somalia, The region border lower Juba, Gedo, Bay and lower Shabelle.

The region consists of three districts namely:

1. Bu'aale (The regional Capital)

2. Jilib

3. Sakow (is the larges district in the region)

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMUNITY

The community living in these region is predominantly Agro-pastoralist who mainly depend on rain fed crop and livestock production. The main crops are 'Maize, cowpea, and Sesame which are planted both 'Gu and Deyr' seasons these region also famous in livestock rearing especially cattle and shoats, but due to prolonged dry spells and intense conflicts, the economical situation of these communities has drastically deteriorated. Consequently many shocks such as, the ban of livestock in Arab market and the recurrent closure of Kenya Somalia border (Which is the main market route) has grounded their hopes.

Therefore Middle Juba has the largest farmland on both side of Juba River .As a tool of poverty reduction with experience of food and livelihood crises which require interventions.

LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE REGION OF MIDDLE JUBA

Sakow is the largest district in Middle Juba region and locates north of Bu'aale distant of 55 km from Bu'aale to Sakow district has more than 237 villages and nomadic settlements .The share borders North Bardere district from Gedo region, east Dinsor from Bay region, west lower juba region all the way to Kenya in some extent, south Bu'aale region district town.

The district is well populated in the district town and villages both. Mostly people have interrelated ethnic group (Rahanween) with same culture and really they love their traditions. Cultures are most respectful in communities and their leaders. Peace is the word for every Sakow native

PROBLEM THEY HAVE SAKOW DISTRICT

Sakow districts are facing many problems such as.

(1) Lack of Health and Nutrition

(2) Lack of TB Center program

(3) Agriculture

(4) Education

(5) Water, Sanitation etc.

There are same agencies like COOPI which are only specializes in livestock & Agriculture sector, WHO which has been undertaking Polio vaccination programs, ICRC for emergence disaster and seed distribution , World vision specialties in food aid , Health sector MCH/ OPD and they cannot cover the problem all region. We call for all addressed NGOs to make assessment in order to know the reality existing in the region.

Governance

The Middle Juba region does not have a unique system of governance. Every district has its own locale authority mostly based on clan affiliations.

HEALTH FACILITIES

The local communities of the three districts, Bu'aale ,Jilib and Sakow have Health Facilities, Bu'aale with MCH /OPD and TB centre Managed by World Vision , Jilib with MCH/OPD and TB managed by Mercy USA. Sakow MCH/OPD Managing by World Vision and they cannot cover the problems. Since they is no good health facilities. While other district enjoying health facilities, most of Middle Juba Region population are going for MSF Dinsor and MSF Marerey. whereby Middle Juba to Dinsor is175 km. Others they can afford to go others can't due to lack of inevitable unaffordable circumstance of the transportation cost, there are only pharmacies that are managed and run by individuals with no pharmaceutical knowledge.

Collection of drugs are kept under a very hot shelter, expire date of the medicine are not considerable. There are some traders, who are dealing with business, but they lack the qualification required yet there is no quality control at all. So in the view of this situation, the treatments does not have an applicable medication.

EDUCATION

In general the education in Middle Juba is not systematically organized. No series standards of education are in position. Private school of various curriculums are usually practiced in all over the region. Teacher from different background are teaching different languages. Some of the teacher have Kenya curriculum of education other teach in Arabic while others still teach everything in Somali Language.

In Middle Juba WVI Somalia they have rehabilitated some school in same like Bu'aale and Sakow district until same school not completed ongoing construction.

SOCIO- ECONOMIC

The economy of the Middle Juba region is based on Livestock and Agricultural products.

Business could take the third rank while employment is the fourth.

Livestock rearing is exercised in Bandada (Juwaaray) and Salagle Main village.

In rural area of Sakow district contains the largest farmland on both side of Juba River, they are two parts Riverine and rain fed side in Middle Juba.

COMMUNICATION

There are telecommunication network nowadays Not before since 2006, Hormuud Telecom and Olympic we connect soon hold but only Jilib District. While Bu'aale and Sakow use to communicate Radio VHF that is available to the district and most of the villages using VHF and money transfer companies operating in district town which is known as Hawalad.

SECURITY SITUATION IN MIDDLE JUBA, BU'AALE & SAKOW DISTRICT

The security situation in Bu'aale and Sakow district are more stable than any other time in the past last years, there was no any militia movements and recruitment at all during my observation single gun was not observed, local authority and traditional elder both are committed to handle any situation that brings threat

SAKOW AIRSTRIP

There is very good airstrip located east of the district town which needs small rehabilitation the last time which was used by Save the Children UK (SC-UK) early April 2006. since then no one any eroplane.

ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER.

The regional environment has undergone very poor sanction situation, Lower Juba region has serious damages that could create a nationwide environmental disaster. So many trees were cut off for charcoal burning. The charcoal is burn by several groups' especially young men. The young groups have all their cutting equipments and usually clear a compound in the bush where they sleep and cook their food in erected traditional tents. The charcoal is put in bags then trucks of high speed collect them to a specific compound in Kismayo before it is shipped to UAE. In Middle Juba there are no cut of trees, forest is maintained by the locals and most of the people do agro-forestry as an environmental protection.