The Initial Stages of Severe Famine - Case Study Example

Name: Course: Lecturer: Date: Poverty and Hunger in Somalia Introduction Somalia is a country situated in the horn of Africa with about ten million people, with majority being Somalis in the northern part, and the minority concentrated in the south. It has the longest shoreline in Africa. Generally, the country experiences hot climatic conditions and irregular rainfalls. Despite other minor conflicts experienced earlier on, the country has remained stable before the beginning of civil war in 1990s.This lead to removal of then President Mohamed Barre in 1991, henceforth, Somalia lacked harmonized governmental authority, which has been followed by over ten failed attempts to create a government, due to opposition groups. This in turn had tremendous impact on the country’s economic, politics, and generally, the lives of the people (Silva, p. 555). Needlessly, thousands of Somalis have died owing to poverty and hunger over the years, with half of them being children. As of today, researches affirm that many Somalis are at the danger of starvation, while many others still need aid in other areas such as accommodation, medical care, and transport among other things. This report examines the cause of hunger and poverty in Somalia, concludes on the finds and offers recommendations on the same (Silva, p. 556). Poverty and Hunger in Somalia Researchers assert civil war marked the beginning of extreme poverty and hunger in Somalia. Poverty is evident throughout the country where no single infrastructure or industry exists. The country GDP is among the lowest worldwide. The country relies on external funding to support their agricultural activities. A report by U.N shows that 30% of populace is malnourished, 20% faces severe food shortages, and in each and every day out of 10,000 people 2 die of hunger. Furthermore, poverty and hunger are evident through lack of quality food, safe water, medical services, shelter, and people only afford to live in overcrowded camps (Floyd, p. 1). Causes of Poverty and Hunger in Somalia i. Political Instability and War in Somalia Sabrina, p. 5 observes that Somalia is failed state in terms of political, functional characteristics and geographical. It is documented in the history of this nation that is has been characterised by violence, assassinations, harsh islamic militacy, alliances and military coups. Politically, the country`s internal law, governance and order are collapsed. Major players in this instability includes; the clans, Al shaabab, Hizbul Islam, Al-Qaeda, pirates among other groups. As of regard to its functional characteristics, Somalia lacks representaion in international level, and is incapcitated from accepting influence from the external community. Since the formation of somalia in 1960, different parties have fought for its contol. As a consequence somalia border has had no control for over a decade now (Floyd, p. 3). According to Silva (p. 555), this unworkable situation and unstable government rendered extreme in security in the country, as well as undermining the security of its neighbours (Silva, p. 556). Indeed poverty and hunger situations are worse in central and southern part, where conflict, political distractions, and militancy that hinders traditional responses to drought, as well as preventing the aid groups’ ability to help. Indeed, the insurgent group of Al shabaab controls these parts of Somalia. Disproportionate spending in military and looming military debt have contributed in collapsing of Somalia economy. This also resulted to currency devaluation and inflation, and food shortages. This makes it difficult to prevent hunger or raise people standards of living through aid agencies. ii. Economic instability As of regard to economic instability, the recent civil wars many Somalis lost their livelihood, homes, and the formation of a parallel economy that relied on piracy, making one of the poorest countries in the world. Before the beginning of civil war in 1990, the country was key exporter of seafood and agricultural produce, and a major trader with the neighbors (Pham, p. 89). Today there lacks any agencies to collect data about the country’s economy. Moreover, environmental impact on the country hinders full economic potential. Therefore, to feed the populace the country’s relies on imported grains. The economy has also largely affected by illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste along Somalia coastline. Above all, the civil war hinder conducive atmosphere for the running of any business, and renders unemployment (Silva, p. 556). iii. Societal Instability In regard to humanitarian and societal instability, affected individuals cannot be reached with any aid, unless they flee their country as refugees. Aid workers are arrested, subject to indiscriminate violence and abuse of human rights, and detained. Humanitarian activities also fail due to organized crimes and existence of unsound clan systems. Thus, the little supplies received from humanitarian efforts are stolen by the crime groups for their own increase of power. As a result, poverty levels in the country escalate by day (Marshall, p. 12). Moreover, at the initial stages of severe famine, International community still underestimates the number of Somalis in need causing the lack of accurate and timely information necessary to provide aid. In this regard, people have suffered to the point of death due to hunger which is accelerated by extreme poverty. In actual fact, need assessment in the country is carried out only a few times per year, which at times may be out of date. Corruption causes a distraction, incapacitating the national level to respond (Silva, p. 557). Conclusions Conclusively, as established above, the extreme poverty and hunger in Somalia are as result of political, economic, and societal instability, in addition to humanitarian challenges. With this understanding, handling these problems means revitalizing the entire country. Considering the severe cases experienced in the last one decade, offering quick solutions saving lives and will enhance people standards of living. This means the realities of the situations must be considered, their consequences, and provide possible solutions. Recommendations For the sake many lives that are lost every day from poverty and hunger, It is recommendable to facilitate tremendous change of polices. The acting authority in the country at the moment must work towards ensuring changes in political arena. Donors, aid groups, government and the international community as well must change their approach towards these issues. Moreover, the country should work towards finding solution to failed agricultural activities. Irrigation schemes ought to be employed in drier areas, revive fishing activities, and boost livestock rearing among other things, to revitalize the country’s economy and create employment. Thirdly, the U.N and the international community must enforce solution in regard to insurgent groups in Somalia to prevent hunger. By so doing, donors and aid groups ill come in to offer a short term solution to hunger and poverty within the country. Free passage of aid supplies must be allowed to people in need. The international community provides long term solution concerning the conflicts in the country by engaging in diplomatic efforts to ensure they remove legal impediments in regard to aid provision in armed groups dominated areas. Secondly, international community should get involved by funding current situations, and then setting aside resources for long term solution. References Floyd, K, H. Somalia`s Stability and Security Situation in review. Washington: International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, 2010. Marshall, Monty. Fragility, Instability, and The Failure of States. 2008. Unpublished. Pham, Peter. "Peripheral Vision: A model solution for Somalia." The Rusi Journal, Vol 154, Issue 5 (2009): Pages 84-90. Sabrina, Grosse-Kettler. External Actors in Stateless Somalia- Awar Economy and its Promoters. 2009. Silva, M. "Somalia: State Failure, Piracy, and the Challenge to International Law." Virginia Journal of International Law Association, Vol 50, Issue 3 (2010): 553-600. Read More