Somalia: Statement of the Interngovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on the Terrorist Attack in Kismayo (13.07.2019)

Somalia: Response plan for impact of poor Gu rains in place to avoid a major crisis (12.07.2019)

The delayed start and poor performance of the 2019 Gu’ (April-June) rains resulted in severe drought conditions across Somalia through early May.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 12, 2019 – Two years after the prolonged 2016/2017 drought destroyed livelihoods and displaced almost one million Somalis – but also triggered a massive and successful scale up in humanitarian response to avert famine – severe climatic conditions, combined with other persistent drivers of humanitarian crisis, armed conflict, protracted and continued displacement and a spike in evictions of internally displaced persons are again pushing Somalia towards a major humanitarian emergency.

The delayed start and poor performance of the 2019 Gu’ (April-June) rains resulted in severe drought conditions across Somalia through early May, pushing millions of people into acute food insecurity, with dire consequences for marginalized and displaced communities. In response, the Federal Government of Somalia and the aid community are together implementing a Drought Impact Response Plan which will provide critical life-saving assistance to 4.5 million Somalis between now and the end of the year at a cost of $686 million.

“The food insecurity situation is now extremely concerning with potentially disastrous consequences for the 2.2 million people facing crisis levels of food insecurity.  The seasonal harvest is projected to be 50 per cent below average and even lower in some areas, while malnutrition, drought-related diseases and displacement as well as protection risks are exacerbating existing vulnerability,” said George Conway, the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. “I applaud the Federal Government of Somalia for demonstrating leadership and prioritizing scale up of response to the impact of the erratic and underperforming rains. I call on donors to fully resource the Plan and avoid a major crisis.”

The recurrent climatic shocks are a clear sign that Somalia is persistently vulnerable to the effects of climate change. “While it is critical to respond to today’s urgent life-saving needs, it is equally important that we build community resilience, invest in long-term development and strengthen the capacity of Somalia to withstand future shocks. Not every drought needs to lead to catastrophe,” said Mr. Hamza Said Hamza, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. “We remain committed to move ahead with durable solutions under the Resilience and Recovery Framework and count on our international partners for support.”

The negative impact of erratic and abnormally performing Gu’ rains followed a poor 2018 Deyr season (Oct-Dec), and unusually dry conditions during the 2019 Jilaal season (Jan-Mar), impacting communities that are still recovering from the severe drought of 2016/17. With the exception of the 2018 Gu’, every rainy season since late 2015 has been below average, leading to increased vulnerability and decreased coping ability. Amidst this concerning situation, the humanitarian operation in Somalia remains underfunded with the 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan having received only 38 per cent of its requirements by mid-year, forcing aid agencies to limit or reduce relief efforts at a time when scale up is critical.

Contributions thus far received from the Governments of the United States, Germany, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Qatar, Denmark and Switzerland amongst others are deeply appreciated, but all donors are encouraged to increase contributions to address the impacts of the current humanitarian situation.

The updated Drought Impact Response Plan is available here

Somaliland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Statement (05.07.2019)

Somalia: Joint Press Release – Somalia Endorses Roadmap to Deny Terrorists Access to Arms (04.07.2019)

Somalia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Press Statement (04.07.2019)

Somaliland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Statement (01.07.2019)

Somalia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Press Statement (01.07.2019)

Somalia: Ministry of Health & Human Services – Letter to UN Agencies, Donors and International Partners (25.05.2019)

Somalia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Statement on blocked entry for Somali MPs in Kenya (21.05.2019)

Opinion: Ilhan Omar deserves credit not scrutiny!

But the reason I think that many of us knew that this was going to get worse is that we finally had a leader in the White House who publicly says Islam hates us, who fuels hate against Muslims, who thinks it is OK to speak about a faith and a whole community in a way that is dehumanizing, vilifying” (…) “Some people like me know that he understands the consequences. He knows that there are people that he can influence to threaten our lives, to diminish our presence” – Rep. Ilhan Omar on the 10th April 2019

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar is one of the persons, one of the representatives that represents everything the President of United States isn’t. She represent the ones who came through poverty, immigrated and made a new life in the United States. That is why she is idol and also a figure of amassed power. Because, she is the living proof of the hope and ability of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Everything, this administration is working against and wants to stop.

Rep. Omar has again and again since her time in office, as a Representative from Minnesota. Shown character and courage. Shown force when explaining the misuse of power and the lack of oversight in the role of Israeli investment and diplomatic unity between the American Government and Israeli counterparts. That was called anti-Semitism, when it was really just questioning the powers to be and their affiliation with a foreign force. Still, because of her personality, her religion and her heritage. That became giant issue.

Again, she is under-fire for the same reason. Because of who she is, not because of what she stands for or working towards. No, the political work and her statements are shining examples of the American Dream, of the unity and the diversity of the United States. However, the President and the Republican Party, prefer scaremongering and silencing tactic towards the ones who works for diverse republic. The ones that is actually working for the what the Republic has been known for, to be welcoming and friendly to all religions, creeds and ethnic groups to immigrate there.

She was stating all of this in a manner that wasn’t offensive, wasn’t wrong, but just wanting the United States, to be what it is known for. To let people enter the Republic and try to achieve the American Dream. By following immigration law or the rights as asylum-seekers. That is well-known.

Rep. Omar is an inspiration and someone that gives hope to the world. People are taking things out of context and beating it up. Because she fits as someone you can use as a target. The President and the GOP does it steady with her. Especially since she got the courage to co-sponsor a bill, which attacks and directly stops one of the big executive orders of this presidency. That is why they are attacking her, because she defends the end of the Muslim Ban and the direct ban of entering of certain nationalities.

There is time for a change, there is a time for the equality and justice, not just white supremacy rule, where the fringe ideas became policy. That is what has happen and now that the democrats have control of the House. The Republicans and their control of the Capitol Hill is challenged and sometimes can even hang the Congress.

I’ll stand by Ilhan Omar and her cause, which will change the United States for the better. Peace.