Drought and Conflict in Somalia: Two large issues both unnoticed by the world
By Erin Schmidt
Somalia, located on the eastern border of central Africa is a country in conflict for many reasons. Sadly, it is also one of the many whose conflicts are going largely “unnoticed” by the international community without many signs of resolution, more assistance, or peace. The country of Somalia is facing two conflicts currently: drought and violence. Since 1991, Somalia has virtually had no effective government. It has also been labeled a “humanitarian disaster zone” for over almost twenty years. In 2006 a transitional government supported by Ethiopia, threw out numerous Islamists in the capital of
Mogadishu after years of civil war. Since that time, the Islamist militia, known as al-Shabab, have increased their resistance and violent activity in the region around the capital and throughout the country. The United States has placed these al-Shabab groups on the list of “foreign terrorist organizations”. They are made up of youth and military members of the former Sharia courts which were part of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). These courts ruled regions of Somalia until 2006 when the transitional government removed them from power. In the last fifteen months alone, hundreds of thousands have fled the region which estimated 20,000 people fleeing monthly. Attempts to negotiation with the militia groups have all come up short.
There are currently 2,400 African Union peace keepers in Mogadishu with more planned. Also in the region around Mogadishu are 1,600 Ugandan troops and a planned combined 8,000 troop African Union force, but this large force has yet to be assembled and plans are looking more long term than short term. Ban Ki-moon has asked the UN to send 27,000 peacekeepers into the region but this has yet to happen, and it doesn’t look good for this conflict in Somalia.
The 2nd issue facing the country of Somalia concerns effects from the drought in the Horn of Africa. More than two million Somali citizens rely on food aid and this number is growing. The food aid, mainly from the World Food Program is reporting that total over 14.5 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance throughout Somalia. World Food Program vehicles are not able to access the people because of the militias, mentioned above, overtaking roadblocks and sometimes the food itself. There is chronic insecurity in the region and millions are suffering, especially the children. Infants are all underweight and showing signs of chronic malnutrition. The rain has not come for the third year in a row, resulting in crop and land destruction. Families are being forced to flee after reduced to poverty, and many families are being wiped out completely.
It is sad to report on such atrocities especially given that the International Institute serves hundreds of clients from Somalia. It is also heartbreaking that such violence is occurring literally under the world community’s eyes. The UN is overwhelmed and unable to provide proper resources needed for current missions, yet alone future needed missions, such as in Somalia. The situation in this region is at immediate emergency level, but yet it remains “unnoticed”. Who is going to come to the aid of the country and the region? Sadly this is a question without many coming forward to answer the call.
If you would like to learn about the region or for more information please consult www.bbcnews.com where information and images for this article was taken. As well as:
http://www.unicefusa.org/
http://www.icrc.org/eng
http://www.sos-usa.org/pages/default.aspx
http://www.usaid.gov
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on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 10:10 am and is filed under Refugees.
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July 28th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I agree fully that this is one of the most dramatic human situations of the globe. I admire the efforts of WFP and other organizations to bring food aid to all these fleeing people and refugees, in particular the children. It must be really frustrating not to be able to help those suffering kids and their parents because of the continuous conflicts and the militia. It is a real shame for humanity that people in need cannot be helped because of politics or religious conflicts.
This reminds me of the situation in the refugee camps of the Western Sahara people, living already for more than 30 years in the Algerian Sahara. This too is “going largely “unnoticed” by the international community without many signs of resolution, more assistance, or peace”.
Thanks to a UNICEF-project to construct family gardens and school gardens in these refugee camps, thus contributing to the magnificent work of WFP, new hope and better living conditions were introduced. Nowadays, a large number of refugees produce their own fresh food.
I consider this as one of the best examples of human development aid. It should be multiplied to all the refugee camps of this world and every conflict zone, hoping that such a wonderful humanitarian aid would be allowed by militia or other groups.