1. WORKING WITH THE HUNGER CRISIS IN SOMALIA Luke Yates, Andrew Roth, Allie Temkin, Patrick Ward Beloit College, Beloit, WI 53511 Abstract Across the globe, 25,000 people die from hunger every day, and the hunger problem is spreading to new locales. Recently, a United Nations committee on human rights targeted Somalia as a country on the brink of a humanitarian disaster. In continued efforts to spread humanitarian aid, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) should negotiate in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with the Somalia Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to relieve the hunger problem brewing in Somalia. These parties are interested in the welfare of the Somali people and must find a way to overcome the natural disasters and thieving territorial criminal interests that have defused negotiation in the past. Introduction Somalia is a small country located on the Horn of Africa and its recent history is a tumultuous one. To understand the hunger crisis and its effect on the Somali citizens, you must first understand the devastating civil war Somalia has fought since 1991. This conflict’s effect on the country, along with natural disasters occurring with frequency has created a nation that is barely able to sustain itself. The looming hunger crisis could be one disaster too many for the weak infrastructure of Somalia. Civil war seized the country and its government in 1991. Various territorial leaders split from the country to form self-proclaimed independent states and wage war. The central government collapsed at the onset of the conflict and has yet to return. The closest thing to a centralized authority in Somalia these days is the Transitional Federal Government, established in 2000 and supported by many of the territorial leaders. This new group’s longevity is far from established and the recent conflicts with the Islamic Courts Union and the intervention of Ethiopian forces have created more instability. Frequently occurring droughts and the tsunamis of 2004 have added to this instability and increased the reliance on outside aid. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been involved with Somalia aid and support for decades and serves as a credible group with clear interests to mediate the negotiation between the TFG and the World Food Programme. Negotiations must deal with the threat and future allegiance of the territorial leaders and options to divide the country into the independent states that the territorial leaders desire must be considered. The piracy of these territorial leaders must be stopped if aid from the WFP is to be received in full by the TFG. The TFG must stake a strong claim of authority and open diplomatic talks with the territorial leaders if Somalia is ever going to be stable and the support of the ICRC and WFP, along with the promise of much increased food aid should help this. If negotiations break down, the current political and ecological situation could lead to widespread starvation in Somalia and the failure of the TFG. Options Sitting several members of Somali civic groups at a table wit the hijackers Drafting a plan for the sustainable production of food within Somalia itself. Representatives from Somali towns might gather to discuss how to assist in making sure that the food reaches the people who need it. Let the country separate into independent, autonomous states. Common Interests Protecting the welfare of the Somali people Not having anymore civilians injured Peacefully getting food aid to Somali people and not have it be intercepted by warlords or military Alleviate suffering and promote stability in Somalia Prevent starvation in Somalia Eventually having Somalia be able to stand on its own two feet References 1Lord Triesman of Tottenham. “The Transition to Peace and Stability?” in The Somaliland Times, Issue 257, January 20, 2007. http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2006/262/201.shtml http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2006/262/201.shtml 2Pham, Peter. “Coping with Humpty Dumpty” in The Somaliland Times, Issue 262, January 24, 2007. http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2006/262/080.shtml 3Yusuf, Aweys. “Pirates Gather at the Coastal Town3Yusuf, Aweys. “Pirates Gather at the Coastal Town of Haradhdere” in The Somaliland Times, Issue 262, Janury 26, 2007. http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2006/262/140.shtml Mediator The International Committee of the Red Cross Non-biased group who has been in Somalia since 1977 during the war with Ethiopia and has continued to be an active aiding force in Somalia since then. The Negotiators The United Nations World Food Programme The WFP has been involved in bringing food aid to Somalia. The WFP is capable of supplying not just food, but the transportation to get it there; and with the help of the TFG, the aid can be transported across the borders and to the people without hassle. And as one BBC article stated, “The future, it seems depends on…what the international community can offer to help rebuild this vulnerable nation” so Somalia doesn’t turn into another Afghanistan or Iraq. Hopefully, the UN and its WFP can be that positive international community. The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia The TFG was created in 2004 in Kenya and has been gaining power inside Somalia ever since as the Union of Islamic Courts have been backed onto its heels. The TFG is supported by the United Nations and the African Union. The Government is led by its president, Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed. Objective Criteria * 2,100 Calories is the amount recommended for the average person leading a healthy life. * A hungry mind cannot concentrate, a hungry body does not take initiative, a hungry child loses all desire to play and study.” * Hunger weakens the immune system. Each year, malnutrition contributes to the deaths of an estimated 10 million under-fives.