IOM Somalia has just concluded its first training on Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) for core focal points, team leaders and support staff members who have been selected to roll out the tracking mechanism across 5 regions (Lower Juba, Middle Shebelle, Hiraan, Awdal and Gedo) and 7 districts (Afmadow, Balcad, Belet Weyne, Borama, Doolow, Jowhar and Kismayo) in Somalia, targeting internally displaced persons and returnees in settlements and thereafter in host communities.

The training which took place in Hargeisa, Somaliland during 14-16 April 2016 was facilitated by Human Mobility Tracking Expert, Mr. Vlatko Avramovski, and Database Developer and GIS Specialist, Ms. Elvina Zirima, both from IOM headquarters, with technical support from Mr. David Musombi who was seconded from the IOM regional office in Nairobi. IOM Somalia’s Dr. Omar Khayre and Mr. Chiaki Ito also supported the training.

DTM is a suite of tools and methodologies designed to track and analyse human mobility in different displacement contexts, in a continuous manner.

Using DTM, IOM Somalia aims to improve information management in fluid displacement situations, thereby enhancing evidence-based and timely prioritization in the delivery of humanitarian assistance in riverine areas along the Juba and Shabelle rivers in Somalia.

The data collected will be shared with OCHA, Somali Disaster Management Agency of the Federal Government of Somalia, and other humanitarian partners for feedback and consultations before finalization and dissemination. This will be the first roll-out/launching of the DTM in Somalia (currently DTM is operational in 27 countries globally), successful outcome of which may lead to increased donor interests in DTM and a country-wide roll-out in the future.

Highlighted in green are the 5 regions in Somalia where DTM is being rolled out: