In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, the field officer, at the United Nations Development Programme/United Nations Coordination Unit (UNDP/UNCU) for Somalia, in Nairobi, stated that the Reer Hamar and its subclans including the Shanshiyo are approximately 20,000 (18 May 1999). He stated that they predominantly live in Mogadishu because they were forced out of other areas and because they are safer in Mogadishu.

The field officer also stated that as an ethnic group, the Reer Hamar and its subclans do not face "any severe security risk or threat" (ibid.). He emphasized however, that whether an individual faces problems as a member of the Reer Hamar, its subclans or any other clan depends on his or her past political activities. He also reiterated that economically and politically, the situation of Mogadishu is "very tough." He stressed that unless they have means, Reer Hamar who left Mogadishu during the war and who had their properties looted will have a very hard time resettling. He further stated that currently in Mogadishu, "there are no human rights violations against minority groups and their properties are not being looted." The Research Directorate was unable to corroborate this information within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

United Nations Development Programme/United Nations Coordination Unit (UNDP/UNCU)-Somalia. Nairobi. 18 May 1999. Telephone interview.

Africa Confidential [London]. January 1998-March 1999. Weekly. Vols. 39-40.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. Monthly. January 1998-January 1999. Vol.35.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. [Internet:] http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1998_hrp_report/ethiopia.html.[Accessed: 28 Apr. 1999)

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. 1998-1999. Bi-monthly. Vols. 10-11.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, World Network Connection (WNC)