OPINION Is Somalia's hunger and homelessness crisis beyond hope?
- Thread starter Calaf
- Start date
An ever-growing number of people across Somalia are leaving their homes to escape conflict and the impact of extreme weather events that have devastated the livelihoods of farmers and herders.
Aid organisations are now urging major action to help hundreds of thousands of displaced people who are at risk of hunger and disease. And with the total number of internally displaced people now at 2.9 million, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warns that Somalia is “on the cusp of a humanitarian catastrophe”. The country’s fragile healthcare system is struggling to tackle a rise in COVID-19 cases.
As climate conditions in the Horn of Africa spur extreme weather, farmers and pastoralists have been left in ruin due to their land being battered by cycles of drought and flooding. Tensions between farmers and herders over access to dwindling areas of still viable land now threaten escalate into direct conflict, further spurring the displacement of civilians and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Many people have also been forced to flee their homes due to inter-clan violence and the persistent threat of attacks by al-Shabab fighters.
As the crisis deepens, continued friction between political leaders over the running of repeatedly delayed indirect presidential and parliamentary elections is slowing concerted efforts to tackle it.
In this episode of The Stream we’ll look at the slowly unfolding emergency now affecting millions of people across Somalia, and what prospects there are for action to bring relief to those most desperately in need.
Aid organisations are now urging major action to help hundreds of thousands of displaced people who are at risk of hunger and disease. And with the total number of internally displaced people now at 2.9 million, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warns that Somalia is “on the cusp of a humanitarian catastrophe”. The country’s fragile healthcare system is struggling to tackle a rise in COVID-19 cases.
As climate conditions in the Horn of Africa spur extreme weather, farmers and pastoralists have been left in ruin due to their land being battered by cycles of drought and flooding. Tensions between farmers and herders over access to dwindling areas of still viable land now threaten escalate into direct conflict, further spurring the displacement of civilians and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Many people have also been forced to flee their homes due to inter-clan violence and the persistent threat of attacks by al-Shabab fighters.
As the crisis deepens, continued friction between political leaders over the running of repeatedly delayed indirect presidential and parliamentary elections is slowing concerted efforts to tackle it.
In this episode of The Stream we’ll look at the slowly unfolding emergency now affecting millions of people across Somalia, and what prospects there are for action to bring relief to those most desperately in need.
Is Somalia's hunger and homelessness crisis beyond hope?
An ever-growing number of people across Somalia are leaving their homes to escape conflict and the impact of extreme weather events that have devastated the livelihoods of farmers and herders.
No, it's not beyond hope at all. All that needs to happen is:
As for hunger;
Most Somali soil is suitable to grow food on, people just need to be trained on how to grow their own food or how to catch, clean and cook fish. As for nomads, they need to be given ample water and grazing resources, which can be done if it's managed properly by Federal States (water catchment zones set up etc).
Somalia is a naturally rich country full of opportunities, it is just poorly managed and corrupt.
- A reliable security force that removes AlShaydan and land thieves
- A trustworthy committee that resolves land disputes/land theft cases
- Somalia's Government needs to secure loans/funding to build affordable housing in each Federal Region- these should then be distributed to the poorest and most vulnerable members of society.
As for hunger;
Most Somali soil is suitable to grow food on, people just need to be trained on how to grow their own food or how to catch, clean and cook fish. As for nomads, they need to be given ample water and grazing resources, which can be done if it's managed properly by Federal States (water catchment zones set up etc).
Somalia is a naturally rich country full of opportunities, it is just poorly managed and corrupt.
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Those cadaans know exacly why allot of somalis are poor and starving its because the aid money that is meant for the poeple goes straight in the politicians/clan elder pocket.
You can't say that for certain
In some cases, people need the aid money to survive like in a war-torn country like Somalia.
Yeah i know but the aid money never goes to the right people. Some somali politician kid is somewhere in the west living a lavish lifestyle of the aid money meant for the poor peopleIn some cases, people need the aid money to survive like in a war-torn country like Somalia.
No country should be sending aid money to feed people to begin with unless during emergencies like natural disasters. It's time to stop rushing to help when countries create their own man made food shortages.
It's time for all foreign involvement in Somalia to end. Let them protect their country, let them feed their people, and have them build their cities and their institutions. The world cannot come babysit and spoon feed this place for generations. Nature should generally run its course everywhere, and that includes Somalia.
KobeBryant
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mr.overeasy
The most eggcelent member
big facts, somalia needs a big boost from diaspora and other ethnic groups moving to revitalize the economy. On top of this a strong not corrupt government is needed, as you pointed out.
ANother thing is a national somali identity that trancends tribalism. Too many somalis care more about tribe than who is right. Our democracy is in constant turmoil and gridlock because of tribalism being more important that Islam.
When there is a strong and honest government, there will be less reliance on tribe protection and tribalism in general. When you look at how tribes operate, it's like a big gang that offers protection and healthcare but you have to pay your dues. Who would need such reliance on their distant cousins if there was a good government? Nobody.
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