Somali citizens flee from the escalation of fighting in the capital of Mogadishu. The US-backed AU Mission has stepped-up its propaganda in support of the Transitional Federal Government that was formed in January 2009.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
NAIROBI, 6 October 2009 (IRIN) - The US government is to put special conditions on its humanitarian grants for at least 13 aid agencies operating in Somalia.
This could unlock millions of dollars in relief resources that had been on hold due to US anti-terrorism rules.
A report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued in August said delayed US funding was affecting food relief and other operations.
"It is true that some humanitarian funding was placed on hold, pending resolution of the OFAC [US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control] issue," Russell Brooks, a press officer at the State Department, told IRIN by e-mail.
Now, however, "USAID, State, and Treasury have reached an agreement that will enable humanitarian programmes to move forward, pending implementing partner acceptance of a series of conditions that must be written into each award," Brooks wrote.
Anti-terrorism measures
The delays began earlier in the year when, senior humanitarian sources say, some USAID funding for Somalia was unable to meet the approval of OFAC, which enforces US anti-terrorism and other sanctions.
Large parts of southern and central Somalia are under the control of armed groups regarded as terrorists by the US. The US, in common with the UN, African Union and EU, supports the fragile Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The country as a whole is not subject to US sanctions.
USAID, State and Treasury departments appear to have found a solution for the delivery of aid to continue legally, without violating sanctions on groups or individuals, including Somali Islamist group Al-Shabab.
"It is Al-Shabab, not US bureaucracy, that threatens to deny Somalis urgently needed humanitarian aid," Brooks stated.
Agencies affected by the USAID funding delays include UN agencies and NGOs.
The nature of the proposed "series of conditions" was not stated.
In US financial year 2008, USAID provided US$319 million ($274.2 million in humanitarian assistance and food aid) to Somalia; in 2009 it has provided $189 million in humanitarian assistance.
"We are concerned about the situation in Somalia and determined to assist the people of Somalia," Brooks added. "USAID will continue to review its policies and procedures for the provision of humanitarian assistance in Somalia, and this review will include ensuring compliance with US laws designed to prevent potential support to terrorists."
Responses
Concerned by the recent reports about aid being held back, the Somali government has urged agencies working in Somalia to provide assistance to all drought-affected and displaced people regardless of who they are or where they live.
"The policy of this government [TFG] is to encourage all of our partners to provide assistance to all of our people, regardless of where they are," Sheikh Abdulkadir Ali Omar, the Interior Minister, told IRIN.
"The government is at war with Al-Shabab but not with the Somali people... we will not do or advocate anything that will add to suffering of our people."
Timothy Othieno, a London-based conflict analyst, said any policy of giving aid only to areas under government control could not work and could have unintended consequences.
"It may be counter-productive, especially in terms of winning the hearts and minds of displaced people and Somalis in general," he said. "Psychologically, it would give the insurgents an opportunity to justify their opposition to the TFG and its allies."
Asha Sha'ur, a prominent member of civil society in Somalia, pointed out that the displaced did not choose where to live. "I think most of them will tell you they want to go home," she explained. "They have no say on who controls their area. If they did I am sure many of these groups would not be there," she added.
Somalia is facing its worst humanitarian crisis in 18 years, according to the UN. An estimated 3.8 million need aid - almost half the total population. UNHCR estimates that the number of displaced who fled fighting between government forces and two Islamist insurgent groups has reached more than 1.5 million.
Report can be found online at:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86452
This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the Pan-African News Wire
SOMALIA: Thousands stranded near the Kenyan border
The displaced in Bulo Hawo: With the expected onset of the short rains, the IDPs face the growing threat of disease outbreak at their makeshift camps, which are located near the town’s rubbish site
NAIROBI, 6 October 2009 (IRIN) - At least 5,000 conflict- and drought-displaced Somalis are facing an uncertain future in Bulo Hawo, a town controlled by Al-Shabab on the border with Kenya, locals told IRIN on 6 October.
"There are about 900 families [5,400 people], mostly in a makeshift camp in no-man's land on the outskirts of town, hoping to cross into Kenya," said Ugas Mohamed Sheikh Ahmed, a senior elder in Bulo Hawo.
He said most of these families had fled the violence in Mogadishu while others had been displaced by drought.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR Kenya) told IRIN: “Although we are not present in Mandera [on the Kenyan side of the border], we are in touch with authorities there. Most refugees are, however, entering Kenya through Liboi [to reach the Dadaab camp, 590km southwest of Bulo Hawo].”
Ahmed said some of the would-be refugees were being hosted by relatives in the small town. "Almost all families in Bulo Hawo are hosting other families. We have been announcing in mosques for locals to come forward with help.
"As of now there has been no assistance from any quarter," Ahmed said. The locals were doing all they could to help "but some of them are no better off than the displaced".
He said many families continued to arrive from Mogadishu daily, "but others are also coming from the countryside after losing all their livestock".
Orow Nasjel, an internally displaced person (IDP) from Mogadishu, told IRIN she arrived in Bulo Hawo three months ago after her husband was killed by a stray shell.
"I just took my children and came here to find safety for the rest of my family." So far she had failed to cross into Kenya. "They won't let us in; I don’t know why," Nasjel said.
A local journalist, who requested anonymity, told IRIN the people were not allowed to enter Kenya through the Mandera border post. "They have to go to the Dadaab camp."
However, Hassan Isak Abdi, another IDP, said the displaced did not have the means to reach Dadaab. "We cannot even afford to buy one meal for our children; how can we pay for transport [to Dadaab]?"
Many of the displaced were surviving on help from the local community and odd jobs in Bulo Hawo, he added.
Abdi said the displaced lacked even the basics. "We eat when we get something from the town's people or find some work. I hope we will be allowed to cross to Kenya. At least there you find some help."
With the expected onset of the deyr (short) rains, the IDPs face the growing threat of disease outbreak at their makeshift camps, which are located near the town’s rubbish site.
"There are no health facilities and health workers to assist them [IDPs]," said the journalist. "The most pressing needs are shelter, food, water and some form of healthcare."
Report can be found online at:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86456
This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the Pan-African News Wire
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