(ERGO) – At least 1,000 families fleeing intensifying military operations against the militant group Al-Shabaab in Hiran region have arrived at Jalalaqsi town as a new humanitarian situation unfolds.
The displaced families, who are farmers and herders, were forced to leave their homes following clashes between allied Somali and AMISOM forces and Al-Shaabab, as the former forces seek to wrest control of areas under Al-Shabaab command.
Ibrahim Madoobe Nuur, the district commissioner of Jalalaqsi, confirmed to Radio Ergo the displacement of the families, noting families had to flee for their safety amid a deteriorating security situation in their homes.
According to Mr. Nuur, the displaced families were living in Burweyn, Biyo-Nef and Jimbiley localities.
The official said 1,100 families have vacated their homes in these villages, which all come under Jalalaqsi district.
“In the past 10 days, Somali forces and AMISOM troops have intensified their operations to expand areas under their control. 650 families were displaced in Burweyn locality while 450 others fled Biyo-Nef and Jimbiley villages,” Mr. Nuur said.
The district commissioner said his administration did not have the capacity to provide emergency needs for the families but could only truck water from nearby water sources.
Ahmed Abiikar Hassan, a father of four children, moved with his family from Burweyn village, 38 km south of Jalalaqsi town, alongside hundreds of other families seeking safety.
On 6 October, Mr. Hassan’s family arrived in Jalalaqsi town. Since then, they have been living with one of their relatives, who was even unable to provide food for his children.
Hassan’s family is now forced to depend on the goodwill of his relatives. It cost him $10 to transport his family using a hired donkey cart to Jalalaqsi town.
As the planting season is approaching, Mr. Hassan, a farmer for the last 20 years, was preparing to cultivate his farm but the escalating tension in and around his village has put his plans on hold.
With no other skill besides farming and a livelihood to maintain, Mr Hassan is worried about the fate of his family.
“We were depending on what we harvested from our farms and we used to live a normal life,” Hassan told Radio Ergo. “When you are at your home, you can be able to manage your life. We never used to sleep on empty stomach but now that we have been uprooted from our homes we face many challenges.”
Kaltumo Abdullahi Ali, a mother of five, fled with her children from their home in Biyonef village on the 8th of this month.
Like Hassan, Ms Ali used to farm and supported her family with the produce from the farm, including maize and beans. However, she is now forced to live with the little that comes her way having been forced out of her village.
Another displaced person, Abdullahi Haji Ali, has a family of five with no home and food in Jalalaqsi town. Mr. Haji, a teacher from Burweyn village, said his family and 30 others who fled with him are currently living with a family in Jalalaqsi town and their condition is deteriorating.
Mr Haji, a math and English teacher, said schools in Burweyn were closed after families fled with their children for safety.
“There is a school in our village but there are no pupils and we don’t have any finances to run it again,” said Haji.
