The Crisis in Somalia

In August 2011, the UN declared famine in Somalia — the first declaration having occurred only 20 years ago, in 1991.  The reality is grim: Tens of thousands already dead, 4 million Somalis being directly affected, up to 750,000 people at risk of death in the coming months, and a refugee crisis in neighboring Kenya. What events have led up to this on-going humanitarian crisis?  Where can I learn more?  

 DID YOU KNOW? 

  • The famine in Somalia has been labeled the worst to hit Africa in 60 years
  • People are traveling far and wide for for food, water, shelter and safety, only to find over-crowded refugee camps.
  • Across the boarder in Kenya, Dadaab is the world’s largest refugee camp, now home to four times as many people as it was intended to hold.  Already swelling with more than 430,000 refugees, an estimated 1,200 Somalis arrive daily.
  • That's nearly a half million people.  How many people does your town have?

ARE YOU CURIOUS? 

  • How did this happen? What are the man-made and natural causes?
  • For more than just the facts? Get involved now and participate in Somalia Awareness week to LEARN.ACT.DO.


Background 

Since the Somali Civil War in 1991, when President Siad Barre was overthrown, the nation has lacked a central government cabable of responding to the needs of its citizens.  Afflicted by political instability, warring clans, famine, and disease, Somalia has been slow to progress, and given the recent rise of Al Shaabab, an Islamist insurgence group deterring the deliverance of much during the recent famine, the country's ability to address growing needs during this complex emergency, is further threatened.

The famine of 2011 has been declared the worst humanitarian crisis in a century that has impacted over 13.3 million people.  Currently, the famine has struck six regions of Southern Somalia, forcing many to flee from their homes, sometimes walking for days or weeks to seek refuge at camps.  Dadaaab, in Kenya, is the world’s largest refugee camp- intended to host 90,000 people, Dadaab is swelling with 430,000 refugees seeking food, water, shelter, and safety. 

The crisis in the Horn of Africa is complicated and dynamic- the result of both natural and manmade factors, such as consecutive years of drought, increasing food prices, underdevelopment, poor governance, conflict, insecurity and limited humanitarian access.

History

Somalia has had strong Islamic influence dating back before 1100BC when persecuted Muslims fled to the port city of Zeila in the north of the country.  This was the beginning of an Islamic stronghold that formed a national religion.  Given Somalia’s unique geographic position on the easternmost tip of the Horn of Africa, the nation has acted as a vital bridge for trade and commerce, and often served as a trade hub between Europe and the Near East, attracting the attention of colonizers as a local trade economy flourished.  During the nineteenth century, Britain and Italy gained control of coastal areas and Somalia was divided into British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland. 

In 1960, the two regions unified for an independent Somali Republic under a civilian government.  In 1969, Mohamed Siad Barre established the Somali Democratic Republic.  However, this new form of government was not a peaceful one as Barre’s authoritarian socialist rule resulted in much persecution, jailing, and torture of political opponents.  In 1991, the Somali Civil War broke out which also brought the crash of Mohamed Siad Barre’s reign.  Since then, there has been in onslaught of anarchy and the lack of governance has …. With clan warring.  In May 1991, Northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland.  And though this government is not …

Geography

  • Somalia is located in East Africa in the Horn of Africa bordering the Indian Ocean, where there is easy access to Bab el Mandeb strait, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal
  • The nation borders  Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti
  • Somalia is 637,657 sq km in size, which is slightly smaller than Texas

People

  • The country has a rich and proud history of poetry, earning it's nickname, "The Nation of Poets"
  • A population of 9,925,640, the country is the 86th most populated country in the world. (However, figures may be inaccurate as population counting has been complicated by large nomadic and refugee migration due to famine and conflict.)
  • The population is 85% Somali and 15% Bantu and non-Somali (30,000 which are Arab)
  • Somali is the official language, though Arabic, Italian, and English are also spoken widely
  • The religion is primarily Sunni Muslim
  • The median age is 18
  • 38% of the population is literate (those who are 15 or older who can read or write)

Government

  • There is currently no permanent national government
  • The capital is Mogadishu
  • With the breakdown of government, most regions revert to local conflict resolution, either secular, traditional customary law, or Islamic law for judicial matters and sentences
  • The Foundation of the Somali Republic is a national holiday celebrated on July 1 (declared in 1960)

Economy

  • 71% of the population works in agriculture
  • The major agriculture products are bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans and cattle
  • Major industries include lighting, sugar refining, and textiles
  • Somalia’s major exporters are United Arab Emirates (51.3%), Yemen (19.8%), and Oman (13%)

Transnational Issues

  • Since 1991, the lack of central government has been inefficient in controlling clan warring
  • Islamist insurgence groups (including Al-Shabab) are fighting for control of Somalia and disrupting the deliverance of aid, especially during times of famine
  • The absence of authority has also allowed Somali pirates to become great threats to international shipping
  • There are 1.1 million refugees and internally displaced persons

 

1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1072592.stm

2. http://www.care.org/emergency/Horn-of-Africa-food-poverty-crisis-Dadaab-2011/index.asp