Transcript What is a Famine

Horn of Africa 2011
st
A 21 century Famine
Presentation to the Church Federation of Greater
Indianapolis, Interchurch centre
By Nigussu Legesse
World Council of Churches
Elgin
18 October 2011
What is a Famine ?
• FAO 2008 definition
• 20% of the population have less than
2,100 Kcal per day
• More than 30% of children are acutely
malnourished
• More than 2 deaths per 10,000 per day
• Access to less than 4 litres of water per
day
Somalia key facts
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Somalis live in Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya.
The 2 most Northern states (Puntland and Somaliland) are semiautonomous.
Population –about 10 million
6 major clans (Darod (Puntland),Hawiye (Mogadishu), Isaaq (Somaliland),
Dir-Mirifle), Rahaweyn, Minority clans
Religion : 99.8% Sunni Muslims
A common language, Somali –written in Roman script since 1972
Size -637,657 sq.km. 2 major rivers (Juba and Shabelle). 10-13% of land
available for arable farming (between the rivers). The majority of Somalis
are pastoralists
Rainfall : 300-500 mm/year
Large % of the population are pastoralists
Widespread use of the addictive stimulant, q’at, especially among men
3 years running, the world’s “most failed state”
Pastoralism as a way of life.
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A lifestyle based on free-range rearing of livestock.
Suited for “marginalised” land with low rainfall.
Mobile (but not aimless wandering), particularly between Rainy Season and
Dry Season pastures.
Highly dependent on pasture and water availability, and this is dependent
on a complicated network of inter-clan relations.
People divided into “clans”, under the authority of “clan elders” (noncentralised authority).
Animals are “assets”; big animals (cattle and camels) seen as the “Savings
Account”, and small animals (goats and sheep) seen as the “Current
Account” Animals are exchanged for grain
Pastoralism is under threat from : Dry season grazing land used for
investment/arable farming.
Policy direction in favour of “settlement” & “change of lifestyle”.
Increase in lethal weapons, commercialisation of rustling,escalation of
conflicts over land and water..
Somalia – a quick recent history
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1892. Italy leases Southern Somalia from Zanzibar
1960. Independence of Somalia from Britain
1969. Muhammed Siyad Barre overthrows the civilian government
1974. Severe hunger
1977-78. War with Ethiopia over Ogaden (Somali area in SE Ethiopia)
1978 -91. Inter-clan fighting
1991. Barre overthrown. Mohamed Farah Aydid becomes President. Somaliland declares
unilateral independence.
1992. American led Operation “Restore Hope” to prevent fighting between Northern Islamists and
other fighters.
2000. Djibouti Conference. 245 member Transitional National Assembly formed
2002. Eldoret Conference. 275 member Transitional National Government formed.
2006. Union of Islamic Courts, led by Sheik Sharif Ahmed defeat warlords and take over most of
South & Central Somalia. Ethiopian troops oust UIC.One of UIC youth wings form Al-Shabaab
.Heavy fighting.
2007. Internally displaced number one million. AMISOM start peacekeeping.
2009. Last Ethiopian troops withdraw. Transitional National Government and UIC form a power
sharing deal, with 550 member Parliament, and Sheik Sharif as President. Al-Shabaab and
Hizbula Islam try to overthrow new Government. 170,000 people displaced from Mogadishu.
Jan.2010. WFP forced to withdraw from Al-Shabaab held areas.
Oct.- Dec. 2010.Driest Rainy Season on record.
July 2011. UN declares famine in 2 areas of Somalia (at present famine declared in 6 areas)
CONFLICT + DISPLACEMENT +
DROUGHT +LOSS OF ASSETS +
HIGH GRAIN PRICES +
LOW LIVESTOCK VALUE
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FAMINE
Situation as of 5th September 2011
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4 million people in Somalia in crisis (around 40%)
3.3 million need immediate life saving assistance
750,000 people famine affected
226 Internally Displaced concentrations in and around Mogadishu
75% of people in crisis are located in South Somalia where access due to security is
challenging. WFP has partial access to Central Somalia & Mogadishu.
Cases of cholera and measles are on the rise.
UNICEF/Somalia Red Crescent allowed access to all areas to assist malnourished
children.
In Southern Somalia, malnutrition rates of fives and under are as high as 58% (15%
is emergency,30% is famine). Number of malnourished children is 450,000, with 42%
or one third of all children have severe acute malnutrition (a rise from 390,000 on 3rd
August)
Death rate is as high as 15 deaths per 10,000 per day (famine is 2/day/10,000)
At least 20% of the population receive less than 2,100 calories/day.
Grain prices have increased by 100 – 250% from July 2010 to July 2011.
What needs to be done ?
(Some examples –personal views)
• Immediate emergency needs met, within and outside Somalia, (emergency
will continue until pasture has regenerated (end of the year)
• Urgent solution to restore peace to Somalia (otherwise people can not
return home). A civilian government needs to be in place which embraces
all clan interests. Development of a civil service.
• Many livestock assets have been depleted, so even if pasture and water
resources are good, people do not have enough animals to live from.
People will need help with restocking.
• Disarmament and rehabilitation of youths. Youth employment measures.
• Investment in rapid development (health, education, livestock, etc. etc.).
Mobilisation of the Somali Diaspora.
• PR work among the International Community that Somalia is not a “basket
case” or a “terrorist nest”. Somaliland is a positive example.
• Sound Islamic teaching.