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Last week , the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Philippe Lazzarini visited Kismayo in Somalia to assess the humanitarian situation following fierce fighting in June between warring functions.

Lazzarini held a meeting with the vice-president of Jubaland state and administrative officials and discussed humanitarian and civilian protection issues.

The local authorities raised concerns about insufficient humanitarian response in Kismayo and the surrounding areas. They said health, education, water and sanitation (WASH) were their priority needs. Lazzarini appreciated the concerns raised and promised to follow up with the relevant agencies to provide support.

At the Kismayo General Hospital, he held a meeting with representatives of aid organizations operating in Kismayo where they confirmed that priority needs were health, education and WASH.

They urged the Humanitarian Coordinator to advocate for civilian protection during conflicts.

Kismayo Hospital has been experiencing a severe shortage of medicines. Lazzarini hailed the resumption of polio vaccinations in Kismayo, targeting 24,000 people of all ages that had been temporarily suspended due to fighting at the end of June.

Lazzarini called on all parties to refrain from hostilities, ensure the protection of civilians, and enable access of humanitarian agencies working to assist the most vulnerable.

The security situation in southern and central Somalia remains volatile and unpredictable. Political and clan tensions simmered in Kismayo following the contested election of the president of Jubaland state on 15 May, and developed into military confrontations in June.

The latest figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirm that at least 71 civilians were killed and about 300 injured over the course of the month.

Continuing insecurity had also increased displacement of civilians, limited access to health care and amplified the risk of outbreaks of cholera and other communicable diseases.

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), about 1,600 people, including about 970 females, fled Kismayo to villages in the Lower Juba region in June. People who fled the fighting were reported to have started returning home by early July.

Humanitarian access remains challenging and logistics have emerged as a major bottleneck. Aid workers have not been able to use Kismayo port for months due to insecurity.