Luuq Situation Overview
The Luuq clashes in early July 2024 between the Marehan/Rer-Hassan and Rahanweyn/Moalin-Wayne clans illustrate how a single incident can rapidly escalate into full-scale violence in densely populated areas. What began as an isolated killing quickly intensified into armed confrontations within Luuq, resulting in 35 fatalities, including two NGO staff members, and injuring 27 more within just 48 hours.
The violence also led to the burning of over 200 buildings and the displacement of more than 40,000 residents, many of whom fled to the remote village of Yurkud, an area difficult for NGOs to reach, adding further challenges to relief efforts.
Tensions have recently flared again due to revenge killings, driving fresh waves of displacement and affecting families who had cautiously returned. Currently, around 5,000 households (HH), including approximately 3,000 IDP HH, remain scattered across accessible areas within Luuq town, such as Duyacley, Kulmiye, and Xeerokowad. However, areas like Neefsoy, Bashiiro, Yurkud, and Ceelboon remain particularly hard to reach, and recent reports indicate that around 50 IDPs have now fled to Dollow.
While senior government officials intervened to contain the conflict, the reconciliation process remains fragile. The assassination of a Rahanweyn/Moalin-Wayne clan elder on 30 September has reignited tensions, suggesting a potential for further escalation.
These incidents highlight the ongoing risk of violence, necessitating close monitoring and active risk management from NGOs in the region. Humanitarian actors must conduct regular safety checks with their teams and adapt their contingency plans to navigate this complex security landscape.
NAPAD'S Team crossing the river
Overview of NAPAD’s Humanitarian Support in Luuq
In response to the recent violence in Luuq, NAPAD is distributing hygiene kits to vulnerable families impacted by the conflict, prioritizing those in the hardest-to-reach areas. The clashes between the Marehan/Rer-Hassan and Rahanweyn/Moalin-Wayne clans have led to widespread devastation, with over 40,000 people displaced and around 5,000 households now scattered across accessible areas like Duyacley, Kulmiye, and Xeerokowad.
The needs are critical, with newly displaced communities urgently requiring shelter, sanitation, clean water, and healthcare services to prevent further health crises. Limited access to clean drinking water and poor sanitation have already resulted in cases of acute watery diarrhea, particularly affecting children under five, which has intensified the need for immediate intervention.
NAPAD’s humanitarian support focuses on distributing essential hygiene kits to improve sanitation conditions, helping mitigate the risks of disease outbreaks.
However, reaching all affected communities, especially in remote and high-risk areas such as Yurkud, remains a major challenge due to ongoing security concerns and logistical barriers. Continued collaboration with other humanitarian organizations and the development of adaptable access strategies are vital to address the ongoing needs of these vulnerable populations amidst the fragile security environment.
Humanitarian Response and Gaps
Luuq district, identified as one of the 13 priority areas for integrated humanitarian response, faces critical challenges due to the ongoing conflict. The newly displaced population, including approximately 4,500 households, urgently requires shelter, water, sanitation, food, health, nutrition, protection, and educational support. Among the most pressing needs, conflict-affected communities are facing severe gaps in shelter and protection. The top three non-food items urgently needed are tents, mosquito nets, and sleeping mats. These shortages, along with widespread destruction of market infrastructure 27% of sites report complete destruction and 51% partial damage have exacerbated the already difficult living conditions. Sanitation and water access are significant concerns. In 30% of the sites, the use of pit latrines without slabs or open pits is prevalent, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera. Access to clean drinking water is similarly limited, with 36% of sites reporting insufficient access and 9% of sites having no access at all, placing displaced populations at a heightened risk of waterborne diseases. Approximately 3,000 displaced individuals depend on the nearby river for water, already facing reported cases of acute watery diarrhea (AWD), particularly among children under five.
Health services have also been severely impacted, with 31% of sites reporting increased demand for health care, as conflict-related damage to health facilities has strained resources. Despite these challenges, efforts to provide assistance are underway. Currently, 1,200 displaced households are receiving cash assistance, and additional responses have been initiated to support those in accessible areas. However, reaching all affected populations remains a significant challenge due to access restrictions only 15 of the 28 identified locations are accessible, with an additional 7 accessible under negotiated safe passage. Efforts to provide assistance are further complicated by limited access to key areas like Yurkud, which remains difficult to reach by ground but can be accessed via a small, recently renovated airstrip. While humanitarian operations continue, reaching all affected individuals remains a substantial challenge, especially in areas with limited access. (RNA-Factsheet_Luuq)
