Table of content
Appendix
1. Introduction
1.1 Brief look on political background.....................................................................3
1.2 Causal factors for displacement..........................................................................5
1.3 Role of United Nations and Humanitarian assistance........................................11
1.4 Introduction of the problem area and research question....................................12
2. Methodology
2.1 Argumentation for the focus...............................................................................13
2.2 Research strategy and Design.............................................................................13
2.3 Research Method................................................................................................14
2.4 The structure of the paper...................................................................................14
2.5 Limiting the scope.............................................................................................15
3. Theories
3.1 Humanitarian Intervention.................................................................................16
3.2 Disaster, Crisis Theory and Intervention Strategies...........................................17
3.3 Neo Realism Theory...........................................................................................19
3.4 Modern Humanitarianism...................................................................................21
3.5 Forms of Aid.......................................................................................................24
3.5.1 Humanitarian Assistance..................................................................................25
3.5.2 The Basic Model of Assistance........................................................................27
3.5.3 International Relief Assistance........................................................................27
3.6 Malthusian theory of population.........................................................................29
4. Analysis
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
Background of Collapsed state..........................................................................31
Cycle of Drought...............................................................................................33
Obstructions by Al Shabaab...............................................................................39
Neo-realism in Somalia’s Humanitarian Intervention to protect IDPs..............45
Modern Humanitarian Intervention...................................................................49
The Case of Haven and No-Fly Zones in Iraq...................................................50
5. Conclusions................................................................................................................................53
Bibliography
Appendix
AMISOM
African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia
BBC
British Broad Casting Corporation
CAP
Consolidated Appeals Process
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
ICRC
International Committee of the Red Cross
IDPs
Internal Displace Peoples
INGO
International Non-Government Organization
IU
Islamic Union
LAS
League of Arab state
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NGO
Non-Government Organization
OAU
Organization of African Union
OIC
Organization of the Islamic Conference
TFG
Transitional Federal Government
UN
United Nation
UNDP
United Nation Development Program
UNOSOM
United Nation Operation in Somalia
UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund
UNHCR
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
US
United Nation
USC
United Somali Congress
WHO
World Health Organization
WFP
World Food Program
1. Introduction
1.1 Brief look on political background
From 1991 Somalia has been facing civil war and a collapse of the central government.
Consequence of the no real functional government was that the country was divided into various
fractions and parties. Currently, it is administrated independently by three zonal governance
structures such as Somali land, which declared its unilateral independence; Puntland, which is a self
– autonomous state and South Somalia, which is currently largely administrated by the Transitional
Federal Government (TFG).1 Most parts of the country were controlled by rebel groups. There are
also disputed territories inside Somalia such as Sool and Sonaag regions on the boundary between
Somali land and Puntland which have been a source of additional conflict.2
During the many years without functioning government, and as a result of the civil wars, the
country suffered enormous destruction and neglect. In addition to the physical destruction of
infrastructure, the foundations and institutions of the society were also greatly damaged in terms of
functional capacity. Since 2006, the country has been facing an insurgency led by Al Shabaab which
is one of the most powerful militant Islamist groups. Al Shabaab controls much of southern Somalia
and has been restricting most aid agencies from reaching people in need.3Al Shabaab emerged from
two previous Somali Islamic groups, The Islamic Union (Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya, IU) and the Islamic
Courts Union (Ittihad al-Mahakim al-Islamiya, ICU) and three different strands from evolution
from the IU to ICU and finally to Al Shabbba.4 They have claimed their group affiliation with Al
Qaeda when eighteen U.S. solider were killed in Mogadishu which is the Capital of Somalia.5 In
2008, one active member of Al Shabaab said in an interview with BBC that Al Shabaab was“
negotiating how we can unite one” with Al Qaeda. 6 He continued, "We will take our orders from
Sheikh Osama Bin Laden because we are his student.”7
1
Wright Neill and Savage Enda, IDP Advisory Team, and Esther Kiragu, PDES, Real time evaluation of
UNHCR's IDPs operation in somalia, United Nations High Commissioner for refugee policy development and
evaluation service and IDP advisory team, p.8, pdes/2007/02 - rte 4 September 2007
2
Ibid
3
Zimmerman L Katherine, Al Shabaab and the Challenges of Providing Humanitarian Assistance in
Somalia, Statement before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and
Human Rights On “Addressing the Humanitarian Emergency in East Africa”, p 1, September 8, 2011.
4
Ross Gartenstein Daved, he Strategic Challenge of Somalia's Al-Shabaab, Dimensions of Jihad, The
Middle East Quarterly Fall 2009,Volume xvi, pp 25-36
5
Ibid
6
7
The Sunday Independent (Johannesburg), Aug. 31, 2008
Ibid
Sources: http://www.longwarjournal.org/maps/somalia/Somalia_redmap-02022009-norm.jpg
Today, Al Shabaab is a powerful fighting force that implements a strict version of Sharia8 in most
areas of Somalia. Al Shabaab believes that religious governance is the solution for Somalia’s ill and
they represent a further step towards a global jihadist vision.9At time, Somali have expressed
violent displeasure against Al Shabaab. In 2009, for example Kismayo (Kismayo is the commercial
capital of the autonomous Jubaland region of Somalia) residents rioted after all Al Shabaab
transformed a soccer stadium into a market.10 But there are also signs that Al Shabaab listens public
8
Otto, Jan Michiel (2008). p 7. "When people refer to the sharia, they are in fact referring to their sharia,
in the name of the eternal will of the Almighty God"
9
Ross Gartenstein Daved, he Strategic Challenge of Somalia's Al-Shabaab, Dimensions of Jihad, The
Middle East Quarterly Fall 2009,Volume xvi, pp 25-36
10
African Press Agency, Jan. 26, 2009
voices that there is a positive and pragmatic side to its activities. For example, Al Shabaab has
under taken public works programs such as building a canal connection Jannaale, Golweyn, and
Buulo Mareer.11Nevertheless, Many Somalis find that Al Shabaab’s implement strict action of a
version of Sharia law is preferable to lawlessness. Somalia has been trapped in anarchy since 1990s,
and that, there has been rise of different Islamist rebel group. For example, Al Shabbab has chased
with another Islamist group namely Ahlu Sunna wa'l-Jama'a. In late December 2008, Ahlu Sunna
wa'l-Jama'a fighters killed more than ten Al Shabaab mujahedeen in a single weekend.12
1.2 Causal factors for Displacement
Natural disaster and droughts have contributed to huge internal and external displacement in many
motions since 1991.13 The initial waves of internal and external displacement were in the period
between 1991 and 2000.The July to August 2006, drought caused significant displacement
especially in Southern Somalia.14 Conflict was major cause of the displacement in the last few
years. First was, in early 2006, inter clan conflict in and around Mogadishu, followed by the
fighting between clans and ICU (Ittihad al-Mahakim al-Islamiya ) in mid-2006 ; then, there was the
major confrontations between the Ethiopian –backed TFG forces and ICU between December
2006 and January 2007, and at a much larger scale from March to May 2007, mainly in and around
Mogadishu.15
Both man-made and natural disasters are making country vulnerable. In decades it has been facing a
severe drought all over the regions. The effect of the drought is very deep and huge. Drought is the
natural result of long time rain failure in an arid and semi-arid area. Gaps created by the drought are
very big and difficult to control for the local authority. The situation cannot be covered by the
11
"Somalia: Al-Shabaab District Head Speaks about Islamic Rule, Development," Kataaib.info, Feb. 9,
2009, Open Source Center, trans
12
The New York Times, Dec. 29, 2008
13
Wright Neill and Savage Enda, IDP Advisory Team, and Esther Kiragu, PDES, Real time evaluation of
Unhcr's idp operation in somalia, United Nations High Commissioner For Refugee Policy Development And
Evaluation Serviceand Idp Advisory Team, p.11, pdes/2007/02 - rte 4
September 2007
14
Ibid
15
Wright Neill and Savage Enda, IDP Advisory Team, and Esther Kiragu, PDES, Real time evaluation of
UNHCR's IDP operation in Somalia, United Nations High Commissioner For Refugee Policy Development and
Evaluation Service and Idp Advisory Team, P.12, Pdes/2007/02 - Rte 4
September 2007
community alone unless external support is combined with local effor16. Several years of rainfall
failure have particularly affected different communal people that are being forced to travel from one
place to another. Pastoral and agro pastoral communities are also being obliged to travel vast
distance to find grazing for their animals. Numbers of region are affected by drought because of late
and erratic rainfall in every rainy season. Drought is like a curse for every sector such as
agriculture, market price of the commodities, agricultural farming, livestock, human health; food
security etc. Consequently people are internally displaced. 17
The vast majority of internally displaced people (IDPs) lack access to sanitation, water facility and
basic needs such as school and health services. There is an estimated 3.7 million people in Somalia
that have been adversely affected by deepening drought and the number of IDPs affected by drought
is estimated to be 1.5 million which is increased of about four times more than five years ago. 18Out
of this number, around 400,000 are in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The number of people
internally displaced by the conflict between 2007 and November 2011 remained between 1.4 and
1.5 million.19Unfortunately, in this situation, delivering of assistance, movement of humanitarian
personnel and food supplies are likely to be restricted by rebel groups to the population in need.
Many women and children are suffering from respiratory disease, diarrhea, hunger related diseases,
malnutrition.20
IDPs are facing several problems inside the camps and outside as well. Looting is becoming a daily
occurrence; especially it affects the most vulnerable families in Mogadishu, who rely on
humanitarian support to survive.
Figure of IDPs in Somalia:
16 Zimmerman L Katherine, Al Shabaab and the Challenges of Providing Humanitarian Assistance in Somalia
17
Statement before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human
Rights On “Addressing the Humanitarian Emergency in East Africa”, p 2, September 8, 2011
Somalia Famine and Drought Situtaion Report No: 19, p 25 October 2011, UN OCHA, 25 October
2011
18
Somali land Drought Situation Report, African Development Trust, available at
http://africandt.org/documents/drought-report-2011.pdf
19 Somalia New displacement and worsening humanitarian and protection crisis for IDPs, available at
http://www.internaldisplacement.org/8025708F004BE3B1/(httpInfoFiles)/76AE3E5570C42FE8C1257961004D7CD3/$file/somaliaoverview-dec2011.pdf, visited on 14th December 2011
20 Birkeland M. Nina, SOMALIA Displacement and Worsening Humanitarian Situation as a Result Of On-going
Violence and Conflict, IDMC Internal monitoring displacement centre, pp 1-9, 30 July 2010, visited on
http://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/somalia, 29th Nov. 2011
Region
Estimated IDPs
North
Region
Estimated IDPs
South
Awdal
132
Bakool
5,567
W. Galbeed
35,232
Bay
39,716
Togdheer
25,363
Gedo
65,539
Sanaag
908
Lower Juba
25,243
Ool
4,594
Middle Juba
6,838
Bari
28,014
L. Shabelle
496,459
Nugaal
5,629
M.Shabelle
48,821
Banadir
364,988
Centarl
Galgaduu
146,682
Mudug
69554
Hiraan
50,618
Total
1,550,000
Source : IDPs in Somalia – Fact Sheet, OCHA , available at
http://ochaonline.un.org/Default.aspx?alias=ochaonline.un.org/somalia Updated October 2009.
IDPs in Somalia
Source: Somali land Drought Situation Report, African Development Trust, available at
http://africandt.org/documents/drought-report-2011.pdf
The existing famine in Somalia from 1992-93 has been caused by low agricultural production and
several years of ongoing droughts. The country has an estimated population of about 9 million in
1995, of which 75% reside in rural areas. Rate of population growth is about 3%, while the capital
city Mogadishu is growing by a very high rate 10% a year.21Population density (people per square
km) was 13.9 in 2001 and it increased to 15.86 in 2010.22 Poverty with social injustice together is
threatening the integrity of nation and is also major root of social conflict23. According to the World
Bank Report, 55% of Somalia’s area is suitable for grazing. Deforestation occurred in potential
fertile land. 75% of the populations living in remote area totally depend on forest for household
such as manufacturing house, fire wood and others.24 The increasing rate of the population density
in potential fertile land is contributing deforestation rapidly in Somali land. Droughts that occur
very frequent are naturally caused by climate change.
21
22
World Bank Report (1995), p.12
Ibid
23
Mohamed Elmi Abdullahi, Somalia's Degrading Environment, Causes and Effects of Deforestation and
Hazardous Waste Dumping in Somalia, An essay prepared for a PhD course of 'Environmental Systems Analysis &
Management' given by the Division of Industrial Ecology, KTH, June 2001, pp 10-12
24 Ibid, p 5
Figure of the population density in Somalia.
Year
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Populatio
12.59
13.02
13.47
13.9
14.3
14.99
15.42
15.86
n density
Source- http://www.tradingeconomics.com/somalia/population-density-people-per-sq-km-wb-data.html, visited on 24
Nov, 2011.
The table shows the increasing rate of the population density in Somalia. The rough estimates have
been indicating a rate of urbanization of 4.2% per annum, with many towns quickly growing into
cities, particularly to Mogadishu and Kismayo.25
Somalia is currently facing different types of environmental concerns, both natural and manmade26.
There is an indicating level of water scarcity for the rural communities. The potential evaporation is
extremely high. The rural people are more dependent on rain water and grass for their survival of
livestock. Every year drought causes loss of both human and animal life without prediction and
prevention. Deadly drought is often followed by devastating floods which mainly affect southern
parts of the country.27
Drought in Somalia
25
Central Intelligence Agency (2011). "Somalia", The World Factbook. Langley, Virginia: Central
Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2011-10-05
26
Mohamed Elmi Abdullahi, Somalia's Degrading Environment, Causes and Effects of Deforestation and
Hazardous Waste Dumping in Somalia, An essay prepared for a PhD course of 'Environmental Systems Analysis &
Management' given by the Division of Industrial Ecology, KTH, June 2001,pp 10-12
27 Ibid, p 3
Source: Somali land Drought Situation Report, African Development Trust, available at
http://africandt.org/documents/drought-report-2011.pdf
Man-made environmental problems such as deforestation and overgrazing result in desertification
and soil erosion. Unscientific irrigation, destroying valuable productive land, illegal fishing,
industrial waste materials dumping in the sea and coastline, hunting and extinction of wildlife
collectively have negative impact in environment, which also have direct or indirect links with
drought, flood, soil erosion and famine.28
During the last several years, a new type of illegal business is introduced.29 Cutting of trees to
produce charcoal for export to the Gulf countries has become a business. In the year 2000, total coal
production was estimated to be 112,000 metric tons and was estimated to rise to 150,000 metric
tons by 2005.30 Approximately 80% of this charcoal is exported in the Gulf States, while only 20%
is for domestic consumption.31
28
Ibid
29
Mohamed Elmi Abdullahi, Somalia's Degrading Environment, Causes and Effects of Deforestation and
Hazardous Waste Dumping in Somalia, An essay prepared for a PhD course of 'Environmental Systems Analysis &
Management' given by the Division of Industrial Ecology, KTH, June 2001,pp 10-12
30
Type of environmental problem, available at http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/somalia-coal.htm,
visited on 13th December 2011
31 Ibid
Source: Type of environmental problem, available at http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/somalia-coal.htm, visited on
13th December 2011
Somalia has one of the lowest consumption rates of modern forms of energy like gas, electricity.
Fire wood and charcoal are main sources of energy for the majority of people. Trees are cut down,
burnt and exported from major port like Mogadishu, Kismayo and Bosaso.32Ongoing increasing
population needs to survive, that leads to adopt illegal business like deforestation, export of wood
and charcoal. Deforestation will have adverse impacts on rainfall availability, local climate,
capacity of soil to hold water and habitat for animal, species and bio-diversity. Deforestation also
acts as an income generation activity but also has cause internal dispute and conflict within society.
Because of collapsed government, country became stateless and people are free to do any selfinterest work to earn money without restriction from government.33
32
Mohamed Elmi Abdullahi, Somalia's Degrading Environment, Causes and Effects of Deforestation and
Hazardous Waste Dumping in Somalia, An essay prepared for a PhD course of 'Environmental Systems Analysis &
Management' given by the Division of Industrial Ecology, KTH, 11-12 June p. 3
33 Ibid, p 4
1.3 Role of United Nations and humanitarian assistance
The humanitarian situation is affected by a number of factors including violence, drought,
increasing food prices, piracy, increasing inflation rate and targeted killing of humanitarian
workers.34 The local authority and government could not resolve the existing situation because of
collapsed state. Many international organizations, local organizations and Western countries are
working with humanitarian assistance for a long time but the delivery of aid has been substantially
reduced in Al Shabaabs controlled territory. Nevertheless, the United Nation and its clusters have
been providing assistance in different fields, in cooperation with the international Red Cross (ICRC)
and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). United Nations Secretary General, in
cooperation with organization of Africa unity(OAU),the league of Arab states (LAS) and the
organization of the Islamic conference(OIC), wants to make a peaceful solution with ongoing
conflict in Somalia. All these organizations are actively involve with political aspects of the
ongoing crisis and trying to push for a peaceful solution.35
In 1992, United Nations operation (UNOSOM) was established in cooperation with the League of
Arab States (LAS), African unity (OAU) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), to
pursue consultation with all clan groups for national reconciliation and unity. The mission,
UNOSOM also works as an international community for financial and others support which is
under secretary General’s 90-days plan of action for emergency humanitarian assistance to
Somalia.36
There are six main United Nations organizations coordinating overall humanitarian efforts .The
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP), UNICEF, the Office of the United Nations High Commissions for Refugees
(UNHCR), World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). There are
more than 30 NGOs working as an implementing partner of the United Nations. Especially, ICRC
has been continued to provide assistance under the most difficult situation. There are also many
local NGOs which work with United Nations and other international organizations. However, denial
of access by Al Shabaab militants is the single greatest obstacle to provide humanitarian assistance
Mulugeta Kidist, “ The Role of Regional and International Organizations in Resolving the Somali
Conflict”. The case of IGAD submitted to Friedrich Ebert – Stiftung, Addis AbabaDecember, 2009, pp 1-49
35
Somalia – UNOSOM I, Background, EARLY UNITED NATIONS EFFORTS,
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unosom1backgr2.html#one visited on Nov 25, 2011
36 Ibid
34
to UN. Not only they create difficult environmental situation, but also they restrict humanitarian
operations in Southern part.37 Al Shabaab seems against the activities of aid organizations. It claims
that, many American and non-funded organizations have Christian agenda rather than having an
interest towards the Somali people.38 Local non-governmental organization also has been facing
pressure from Al Shabaab to terminate their activities. Specially, Al Shabaab has frequently accused
aid workers for spying Western intelligence agencies. Further it has targeted those organizations
whose operation also support residents living under the authority of UN backed transitional federal
government.39
Numbers of IDPs are in need of emergency assistance to manage the situation. The conditions of
IDPs are found very poor in camp rating with few opportunities of employment, limited medical
services and food scarcity. Few international organizations have begun to work in these camp
providing basic health care, food and other necessities. But, there is restriction to work inside the
camp and threatening from rebel groups therefore humanitarian assistance is unable to reach people
in need.40 There has been growing attacks and banned of international humanitarian agencies
(NGOs and INGOs) and threat to the UN workers by Al Shabaab and its militias. Particularly it
has been difficult to reach the vulnerable population who are in need of humanitarian and lifesaving
intervention.41
1.4 Introduction of the problem area and research question
The ongoing drought in Somalia, internal displacement as a consequences and obstructions from
Al Shabaab and its militias for international relief assistance will be focused in our research study.
In this way, the research question of our project is…..
37
Zimmerman L Katherine, Al Shabaab and the Challenges of Providing Humanitarian Assistance in
Somalia, Statement before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and
Human Rights On “Addressing the Humanitarian Emergency in East Africa”, p 4, September 8, 2011
38
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/jun/28/somalia-drought-appeal-in-pictures visited on 25
Nov, 2011
39
Somalia – UNOSOM I, Background, EARLY UNITED NATIONS EFFORTS
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unosom1backgr2.html#one visied on 25 Nov, 2011
40
Somalia famine: 'There is no longer any excuse for inaction',
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/20/somalia-famine-refugee-camp?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 visited on 25
Nov, 2011
41
Ibid
What are the obstacles for humanitarian intervention and relief assistance to provide
and assist internally displaced people in Somalia?
2. Methodology
2.1 Argumentation for the focus
The ongoing droughts have affected the country in the last few years, while the ongoing conflict has
made it extremely difficult for international agencies to operate and access IDPs in the Somalia42.
Millions people are in immediate need of food aid due to ongoing drought and there has been an
upsurge of attacks on the premises of UN and international humanitarian agencies, as well as
abductions of aid workers of Western countries.43
During our study period, we became familiar problems of refugee and IDPs. Among the vulnerable
humanitarian crisis of the world, we have decided to do research on the Somali humanitarian crisis
which is one of the worst of the world.
Southern Somalia is controlled by Al Shabaab. They banned aid agencies from helping people in
that region. This affects many people whose situation is very vulnerable and they are not getting
adequate help in time.44
2.2. Research Strategy and Design
First of all it is important to underline the distinction between the research method and research
design.45The distinction consist in the function of the two concepts, in other words the design itself
provides the given study with a frame work, that allows the researcher to enter certain academic
traditions to explicit the problem formulation in research question. Whereas the method should be
perceived as the technique one uses when conducting the research or project. In that sense, the
design does not offer any data on the subject in itself and the method is the necessary.46
42
Famine declared as drought ravages Somalia, available at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-0720/famine-declared-as-drought-ravages-somalia/2803292, visited on 6th December 2011
43
Fighting and drought worsen Somalia's humanitarian crisis, Volume 374, Issue 9695, available at
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61687-1/fulltext# , visited on 6th December 2011
44
Al-Shabaab and Somalia's Spreading Famine Interviewee: Rashid Abdi, Analyst, Horn of Africa,
International Crisis Group Interviewer: Jayshree Bajoria, Senior Staf f Writer August 10, 2011, available at
http://www.cfr.org/somalia/al-shabaab-somalias-spreading-famine/p25630 , visited on 6th December 2011
45
Bryman, 2008. p 30
46
Bryman, 2008. p 20
The design of our project will be a case study.47 The case study element in our research design
concerns the case of IDPs of Somalia. The research evolves in two directions: displacements from
drought, and obstructions for international community. The theories exposed, helps the reader to
get familiar with the concept of humanitarian intervention and Neo realist views on humanitarian
intervention, humanitarian assistance, international relief assistance,disaster crisis theory and
interventions strategies which are all related to the somali IDPS issue.Malthusian Theory of
Population will discuss increasing population density and its impact on environmental degradation
resulting displacement. Therefore, we considered necessary to present the political background of
the country, cause of drought, situation of IDPs , rebel group of Somalia, in order to have a better
understating of the importance of international humanitarian assistance.
Ultimately, the collective data from the various reliable sources, brought new light to the theoretical
theories displayed constituting the core of our research.
2.3. Research Method
Data collection is an important part of any type of research design. Inaccurate data collection will
lead to invalid results. 48There are two main methods of data collection: qualitative and quantitative
method. Our project is based on descriptive analysis. So, we had decided to use qualitative method
in this paper to find the obstacles for humanitarian intervention and relief assistance to provide and
assist IDPs in Somalia . Our paper is related with descriptive case study of Somalia that’s why we
need to go to spot of our research field to seek fact answer of our question. Unfortunately, we are
unable to go to the field work to collect primary data to visit door to door because of time frame
work of our project writing and others difficulties. We will use qualitative method in our case by the
use of articles published by scholars in different time period, official documents of UN bodies,
Norwegian refugee council, UNHCR, and others reliable sources of website. Our case study will
use only secondary data to seek answer of our formulated research question.
2.4 The structure of the paper
47
48
Bryman, 2008. p 30
Pedersen Kaare and Olsen Bitsch Poul, 2005. p 193
In the beginning of this paper we present the political background of Somalia serves as
contextualization in the sense that reader will briefly understand the ongoing crisis in the country.
Moreover the causes of displacement and role of UN and humanitarian assistance. We are not
presenting the historical background of the country.
After the introduction including methodology the paper proceeds to provide theories. The focus of
theories will be on humanitarian intervention and how this relates to crisis of Somali. Here we will
mention theory of humanitarian intervention proposed by Hovhannes Nikoghosyan, T. Borchadev,
Sean Murphy to justify our course of action then we will interlink its aspects with Neo-realism.
How political economic theory is relevant with neo-realism. Such relevance is shown through
humanitarian intervention perspective by Huseyn Aliyev, Kenneth Waltz. There are numbers of
causal factors of humanitarian intervention, in our case study, population density as a cause factor
and climate change as a consequences of its. That’s why, we have decided to discuss Malthusian
theory of population to interlink climate change and humanitarian assistance in vulnerable period of
the nation. Crisis and disaster terms tend to be the words which are representing the acute problems
of certain hazardous actions, which could be resulting from certain circumstances and causes.
Prominent theorist in Crisis and disaster Herbert C. Schulberg is noted , in his theory “The issue of
environmental disaster” is the key literature for internal displacement caused by environmental
disaster. we will discuss different forms of humanitarian assistance such as forms of aid, basic
model of assistance, international and relief assistance which will help us to analyze the roles of
international community to provide assistance in people of need in the country.
In the analysis section the paper seeks to provide empirical cases which is the foundation for the
population density, drought,displacement and humanitarian intervention.On the basis of above
mentioned analysis, we will find our answer of research question in conclusion.
2.5. Limiting the scope
In this project, our focus will be only IDPs of Somalia who are affected from environmental
degradation. The deadly combination of severe drought has been brought crisis in there.49 Millions
of people are fleeing drought and famine in Somalia in search of food and water in refugee camps in
49
Somalia Drought 'One of the Largest Humanitarian Crises in Decades', available at
http://abcnews.go.com/International/somalia-drought-largest-humanitarian-crisesdecades/story?id=14088488#.Tt8zemP7Su8,visited on 7th December 2011
Ethiopia, Kenya and other neighborhood.50 In our research study, we will focus only internally
displaced persons because of ongoing drought, famine and manmade disaster in Somalia. We will
discuss somewhere the existing conflict between rebel group in Somalia because years of drought
and conflict have left many people struggling to survive a humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia. 51
Similarly, the paper will focus only deforestation as a significant cause of ongoing drought and we
will not consider other factor such as dumping.52This paper will not go thoroughly political
explanations for conflict- related displacement, offering brief analysis of the obstacles for
humanitarian intervention and relief assistance to provide and assist IDPs. We will not go
thoroughly and briefly description on country- wise in terms of assistance to provide and assist
IDPs. We will focus on those international communities who have been working for long time in
there as a humanitarian assistance such as bodies of United Nations. As we mention above in
methodology, we will describe our problem formulation on the basis of qualitative and secondary
data.
3. Theories
3.1Humanitarian Intervention
Our research question is focus on humanitarian intervention and relief assistance. While
overviewing our subject we tend to find out that humanitarian interventions is a key theory involved
in it. Writing about the humanitarian intervention we refer to the research paper done by
Hovhannes Nikoghosyan who writes if we try to put “humanitarian” and “intervention” side by
side, most scholar have strong discussion. On his paper he cites the writing of Sean Murphy about
“humanitarian intervention” which says “humanitarian” is a very common activities among
governmental and non-governmental actors which tries to make contribution to the status of
individual for their welfare53.
50
Ibid
51
Drought and conflict in Somalia, available at http://www.oxfam.org/en/emergencies/somalia-conflict,
visited on 6th December 2011
52
MOHAMED ELMI ABDULLAHI, SOMALIA'S DEGRADING ENVIRONMENT, Causes and
Effects of Deforestation and Hazardous Waste Dumping in Somalia, An essay prepared for a PhD course of
'Environmental Systems Analysis & Management' given by the Division of Industrial Ecology, KTH. The essay is
presented at a final seminar for the course, on 11-12 June 2001 in the division, p 3 June 2001
53
Nikoghosyan Hovhannes, pp 22, Chapter 1; Humanitarian Intervention, ´Back to the theory of
Humanitarian Intervention´, Center for Strategic & International Studies
In turn, another writings of T. Borchadev challenge the definition of “intervention” by saying that it
is simply an attempt of “fundamental influence on the internal affairs of another state, without its
consent”. Referring to Borchadev, it further says that definition of humanitarian intervention also
depends on aims and problems where the intervention is involved. In this situation humanitarian
intervention can be defined by three types, the first one is named as “Red Cross Approach” where
the intervention is completely based on humanitarian assistance. The second type closely refers as
“security neighbourhood”. This means a secure passage is created for the flow of humanitarian
assistance. He has given a clear example of imposing non-fly zones in Northern Iraq to protect
Kurds and Shiites. The third type is more comprehensive, here it has huge challenges like designing
new government´s structures with “rule and law”. This form of intervention is more the
peacekeeping54.
Nikoghosyan explains that if we see scholarly literature there are whole bunch of various definitions
of humanitarian interventions but not any of them are universally recognized. Arguably he also
writes that generally humanitarian intervention does not have any goal to triumph over a nation
neither it does have any intention to threat the national integrity. Basically it tries to work with
human rights on the grounds of international obligations.
The another author Sean Murphy in his book named `The United Nations in a Evolving World
Order` defines humanitarian intervention as “the threat or use of force by a state, group of states, or
international organization for the purpose of protecting the nationals of the target state from
widespread deprivations of internationally recognised human rights”55. Murphy further
distinguishes there are 3 types of humanitarian intervention UN authorized, regional which is is
authorized by regional organization and unilateral.
3.2 Disaster, Crisis Theory and intervention strategies
54
Nikoghosyan Hovhannes, pp 23, Chapter 1; Humanitarian Intervention, ´Back to the theory of
Humanitarian Intervention´, Center for Strategic & International Studies
55
Murphy Sean, pp 11-12, `Humanitarian Intervention´; The United Nations in an Evolving World
Order`, University of Pennsylvania Press; 1996
Secretary General of United Nations note on United Nations sixty- four general assembly rectified
this principle in regards to internal displaced person. According to United Nations there is not any
specific law to the internal displaced people to recognize as refugee so there is different kind of
principle that principle can address to the internal displaced person and talked about their right.
Crisis and disaster terms tend to be the words which are representing the acute problems of certain
hazardous actions which could be resulting from certain circumstances and causes56. Crisis is a
phenomenon that has been approached as , an environmentally produced situation , an individual’s
perception of an event, a characteristic clinical syndrome and interaction between a subjective
state and an objective environmental situation these particular factors are playing major role in to
the crisis happening. Disasters are resulting from either natural phenomenon or human actions 57.
This disaster and crisis theory and intervention strategies written by Herbert C. Schulberg, in his
theory the issue of environmental disaster is the key focus on internal displacement and migration
caused by the environmentally causes problems. The no of internal displaced person from conflict,
and violence an estimated 36 million persons were displaced in 2008 worldwide as a resulting of
natural disasters58 in another report from the sixty-four general assembly of united nations states
that about internal and external displacement caused by environmental disaster . “It is believed that,
due to the effects of climate change, between 50 and 250 million people may move by the middle
of the century, either within their countries across borders, on a permanent or temporary basis”59
this figures shows the importance of environmental
disaster in displacement. Natural disasters
are viewed as a justified divine retribution for human
transgressions, or it may be perceived as an
unfair, cruel blow of fate.
An environmentally60 displaced person and the relationship between person and environment can be
influenced by two processes. A) Cognitive appraisal in this appraisals explained the relation
between the person and the environment is emotional response, and coping, through which the
56
57
58
59
60
U.N. sixty-four General Assembly
U.N. sixty-four General Assembly
Disaster ,crisis theory, and intervention strategies Herbert C. Schulberg pp 77
The social context of coping John Eckenrodep240
Disaster ,crisis theory, and intervention strategies Herbert C. Schulberg, p78
person after or manages the person environmental relationship.61 the ecosystem circulation and
balancing the nature in this process if the relationship between nature and person is unbalance then
there will be numerous disastrous mass deflection could occurs in to the societies. B) The timetested patterns to articulate the ecosystem variables as patterns of kinship and status, these link
persons to its societies, must be reintegrated and homeostatic balances should struck fresh.
During the period of crisis and disaster handle the diversities of different root causes factors to the
environmental disasters should be reviewed through bottom to top. If ecological balances are to be
restored, then all the measures of caregiving interventions must be directed along with various
directions. All the infected persons and communities securities and all kind of necessities should be
strongly coordinated with the human services , support systems must be coordinated and
interlinked to provide all the humanitarian assistance to the affected communities.
Where as in many incidents, internal displacement is not inevitable, but states reportedly fails to
protect in their countries with a due diligence62 from the different armed conflict, natural hazards or
violence carried by non- states groups. In some cases arbitrary displacement occurs by the reason of
failure states63. In this scenario as we can see the
strong point if any country just fails to be an active state itself then there will be many volatile
movements can happen .it can result a mass displacement and disorder in public. Volatile countries
simply cannot protect its national’s citizen in its territories.
Where we cannot expect to see that any failure or fragile countries are respecting human rights and
international Humanitarian law and related all kind of human crime for individual perpetrators.64.
Such type of volatile condition the international communities especially United Nations and its
member states have to play an active role in order to cope with such kind of problem.
3.3 Neo- Realism Theory
61
T
he social context of coping John Eckenrode , p 240
62
Herbert C. Schulberg , p 77
Ismail I Ahmed (1999): The heritage of war and state collapse in Somalia and Somaliland: Local-level
effects, external interventions and
64
KN Waltz - Journal of International Affairs 1990. p 2
63
The theoretical background of the neo-realism and realism are the internal political economy.65
Realist and neo-realist represents two of the major theoretical approaches followed by the students
of international politics in the past half centuries.66 How political economic theory become
possible neo-realism theory through humanitarian intervention perspective. In the journal of
humanitarian assistance Huseyn Aliyev states in neo-realism as a theoretical school in international
relations has been first outlined by Kenneth Waltz in his book “theory of interventional politics”
(1979). The political order and the way states act on international arena are predicated by both
human nature and human aspiration also human motivation .these factors driven by the course of
international politics. Its international political system is anarchical67. In the international political
environment the central orders of power are coordinating and regulating in between intra-states68.
The theory of international political system neo-realism is a theory of international political system
is an order rather than a condition of chaos69. The neo-realism states that if any states having too
much power may scare to other states and too less power may increase and taking advantage by
strong countries70.
In the time of cold war neo-realism was born in bipolar world. In that bipolar world were dominated
by two strongest countries United States of America and Russia .world have been driven by same
way. In the time of cold war world was dominated by the two major strong power countries United
States and Russia. Due to the international political super power arena there is some different kind
of neo-realism doctoring71
Especially after world war II this theory has comes in to the force in to the international political
power order in between intra-states .world’s political movement has been divided by bipolar
political spectrum where two of world’s super power countries create and conduct political scenario
according to their nation states interests .when any states has fallen in humanitarian chaotic
situation then they have responded according to their political viewpoint but this doctoring can be
clearly seen different if incase the humanitarian crisis occurred by pure natural disaster otherwise if
65
66
67
68
69
Ibid p 22-28
ibid p 34
Ibid pp 35-41
KN Waltz - Journal of International Affairs, 1990. p 5
Ibid pp 60-64
70
Neo-Realism and Humanitarian Action: From Cold War to Our Days; Huseyn Aliyev The Journal of
Humanitarian Assistance; Feinstein International Centre
71
Neo-Realism and Humanitarian Action: From Cold War to Our Days By Huseyn Aliyev The Journal
of Humanitarian Assistance Published by Feinstein International Centre http://sites.tufts.edu/jha/archives/1173
the humanitarian crisis occurred then they have responded according to their national political
interests which is not looking fair enough to protect in to the civilian suffer by the reason of
humanitarian protection principle and also according the guiding principle to the people who
needed help in the ground of humanitarians reason72
Governments are sometimes refuging access to humanitarian aid agencies seeking to provide
humanitarian assistance in such disasters and emergencies, sounds it may strange though but fact is
that, probably because incumbent regimes fear that those countries are offering aid may have
hidden their own political interests undermining their power73. This kind of political thought is
primarily transitional regimes which refuse, regardless of whether they are authoritarian states in the
process of democratization or the opposite74
Humanitarian intervention in means intervention does not include the aid provided in cases of
natural disasters, which is generally offered with the consent of the home government and has no
military component to provide securities to people and to the donor INGOS, and NGOS 75. The neorealism has an unique characteristic which is the more secure in worlds peace process because neorealism believes in bipolarity where power balance is divided in to two power fraction they will do
whatever they can do to balance power it means war is likely less possible but in unipolar or
multipolar war is more often to carry out war and conflict. But in modern time there is one
superpower country that has the world’s most of the political power. The rest of the world has
following with United States of America so war is likely to be one-sided where humanitarian
assistance and intervention sometimes can means in favors of superpower allies otherwise it can be
seen different perspective. Such as the recent case of Libya and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in
Somalia by the reason of conflict and environmental disaster is not dealing properly as it has to be
done in order to protect to the civilian suffer. There are major differentiates in between post world
war II or cold war and its comparative scenario with this time for humanitarian intervention. World
has played different context with differently as their political ally decides what to do in particular
humanitarian crisis.
72
Ibid, http://sites.tufts.edu/jha/archives/1173
Population ,Environment, Climate and Amred Conflicts, Bjørn Møller
Population ,Environment, Climate and Amred Conflicts, Bjørn Møller, senior Researcher , DIIS
Cosmopolitan Guidelines for Humanitarian InterventionAuthor(s): Daniele ArchibugiReviewed
work(s):Source: Alternatives: Global, Local, Political, Vol. 29, No. 1 (Jan.-Feb. 2004). pp 1-21
73
74
75
3.4 Modern humanitarianism
After the end of cold war and the collapse of socialist block world’s political scenario has changed
dramatically76. “The changed new world order”77 the old tenets of neo-realism began to lose it
explanatory power. There was no longer bipolar power exists in the world and humanitarian
interventions began in earnest, 78 nevertheless even in a post-cold war we have easily seen and trace
neo-realist behavior of states in their interests and it was directed according to their patters of
intervening in conflicts. We have to take an example about the Rwandan genocide. Internationals
community has been shown their little interest to intervene for humanitarian reason.
International
community few had any stakes in intervening into the Rwandan genocide.79 some other examples
can be taken for such case where international community had intervened such as international
community’s unwillingness to intervening when Iraqi regime use chemical weapons to persecute
against Kurds in 1980s (as far Saddam Hussein was an American ally)80 . In another case about the
Darfur genocide in its early stages but in same case international community intervened in Kosovo,
even though these two cases are incomparable81. From these cases we can understand that
international communities are not doing good enough to protect civilian loss by causing different
kind of conflicts, and different kind of acute humanitarian crisis occurred around the world.
In contrast to the Cold War world, humanitarianism of today is more likely to resort on direct
intervention, but the latter is still can be own-interest based. Protection of civilian population from
human rights abuses or violent conflicts is used more and more in a context of foreign military
interventions. However, as it used to be in the Cold War age, there are ‘attractive’ and less
‘attractive’ conflicts. Prolonged civil war and failed state in Somalia serves as an example of a
typical quack-mire conflict for which few are willing to commit their resources and troops. The
plight of civilian population in Somalia has failed to attract international attention in comparison to
76
1815
77
78
Paul Jackson (2011): Security Sector Reform and State Building, Third World Quarterly pp1803 to
Ibid pp 1818 to 1830
Ibid p 1840
79
Neo-Realism and Humanitarian Action: From Cold War to Our Days; Huseyn Aliyev The Journal of
Humanitarian Assistance Published by Feinstein International Centre
80
Somalia and the Dissolution of the Nation-StateAuthor(s): Anna SimonsReviewed
work(s):SourceAmerican Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 96, No. 4 (Dec., 1994), pp 818-824
81
Hospitality: Becoming ‘IDPs’ and ‘Hosts’in Protracted Displacement
notorious piracy problem off the coast of Somalia (as well as in the Indian Ocean in general).
Ethiopian and ensuing African Union (AU) interventions in Somalia have had little success in
protecting civilian population affected by the conflict and the AU mission in Somalia receives only
a limited support.
Despite of the increasing awareness by the international community that the piracy problem is
closely related to instability and failed-state problem in Somalia, neither individual Western
mandate of separating combatants rather than protecting the population, is no longer of primary
concern.
“The nature and mentality of neo-realist ideology in modern humanitarian world have been
transformed. Nonetheless, in a nutshell neo-realism is far from extinction in international affairs and
in humanitarian world. The superpowers of today, a.k.a. members of the UN Security Council, are
still enjoying the status of privileged. The US invasion of Iraq in 2004 and human rights violations
committed by invading forces, as well as Russia’s endless wars in Chechnya and the North
Caucasus resulting in a great suffering of civilian population and the Chinese use of force in Tibet
have all been beyond the ‘responsibility to protect.”82
In contrast to the behavior of states, aid organizations have been more of ‘true’ humanitarians and
mostly followed notions of neutrality, impartiality and independence. With the end of Cold War the
above principles became even more valid and powerful in humanitarian work. With that in mind,
neo-realist spirit is not easy noticeable in the work of humanitarian organizations. However, some
facts still point to the presence of interest-based survivalist trends of aid groups. Similar to states,
aid agencies are keen to focus on ‘attractive’ for donors’ crises, such as 2004 Tsunami, while often
overlooking the ones, which are likely to be of lower interest for financial support, for instance
armed conflicts in the North Caucasus. The end of humanitarian aid to North Caucasus, announced
by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 200783, despite of ongoing armed conflict and
thousands of IDPs in the region, can be assumed to have been influenced by Russia’s pressure. In a
complex world of humanitarian politics it is at times difficult to spot and even more difficult to
prove self-interested policies of aid organizations and individual states. Moreover, such actions can
82
Neo-Realism and Humanitarian Action: From Cold War to Our Days By Huseyn Aliyev The Journal
of Humanitarian Assistance Published by Feinstein International Centre
83
Ibid
always be explained by a multitude of other than neo-realist factors and interpretations. To be
precise, there is no perfect example of a neo-realist attitude in world politics and in humanitarian
world.
It is dubious if Waltz ever intended his theory to survive beyond the Cold War era, and adaptations
of neo-realism to the “New World Order” are often far from the original tenets of the theory. It is
arguable if neo-realism can be regarded as one of the approaches to describe and analyze the
modern humanitarian movement. Regardless of international system, i.e., bipolar, unipolar or
multipolar, nation states will expectedly continue to act on their own national interests. They might
come to assist a humanitarian crisis as a part of whatever alliance or union, but their very
participation in that alliance will likely to be predicated by their national interests. It is not to say
that impartial and neutral humanitarian assistance is totally out of place. On the other hand, there
was and likely there will be humanitarian interventions and acts by the states based entirely on the
need principle and with no strings attached. As neo-realism assumes, the main powers on
international arena do not act based on altruist motivations and therefore, state-run humanitarian
action is likely to remain largely interest dependent
However, neo-realism had little effect on humanitarian assistance in natural disasters. Disaster relief
and rehabilitation aid generally did not have political implications, even in the times of Cold War.
This can be seen on an example of septic 1988 earthquake in Armenia, during that crisis world had
helped with sufficient material and financial aid poured from every part of the world in to the
disaster affected places in Armenia , including the United States, regardless of political ideology. In
contrast to man-made crises, natural disasters have traditionally remained an area significantly
distinct from humanitarian action in wars, conflicts and political violence. Not only short-term, but
also non-violent humanitarian interventions in disaster areas can hardly be used as tool of foreign
politics even during the fierce competition for influence between the two superpowers of the Cold
war.
3.5 Forms of Aid
We would like to write something on aid from the book named “Does Development Aid Affect
Conflict Ripeness” by Lucie Podszun. She writes aid consists of two types external monetary and
non-monetary influx. Such influx can take different forms like diaspora money, private investments,
state loans, grants, development project or charity. Any payment, investment material or personnel
that enters into a country which is financed by external sources is influx. Governmental and nongovernmental, public or private are the external sources supplying development aid. Development
aid can be sometimes announce as emergency or humanitarian aid. Podszun further describes in this
book – Relief as a subcategory of development aid. Relief is relevant with emergency and
humanitarian cases. Emergency operations during the period of disasters are supply of food, safe
water and sanitation, shelter for homeless people, health services etc. Arguably she says that
circumstances like longer man made disasters has made the differences between relief aid and
development aid blurred.
Following the analysis of Dambisa Moyo in her book she cites that there are three types of aid,
humanitarian and emergency aid, charity based aid and systematic aid. Humanitarian and
emergency aid are distribute and generate to catastrophes and calamities. Charity based aid is
distributed by charitable organizations to institutions or people on the ground. Systematic aid are
transferred through government to government which is also known as bilateral aid, or transferred
through institute such as World Bank and can be known as multilateral aid. Generally speaking
whatever may be channel or institutions aid is dedicated to civil society and human suffering and
contribute to the human needs. There are four areas where it basically works
1. the provision of humanitarian relief in emergencies
2. the promotion of long term social and economic development
3. observing and protecting human rights
4. support for conflict resolution with and objective of gaining peace
3.5.1 Humanitarian Assistance
Here we want to connect the factors which are linked with humanitarian intervention. One of the
important factor we talk about is forced displacement. Generally the situations when people are
force to leave their homes is what we understand as forced displacement. Such situations are
conflict, violence, human right violations, natural disasters, climate change etc. Normally there are
two kinds of forced displacement, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP´s). Humanitarian
aid provided to such displacement are usually perceived as short term interventions. On the contrary
development aid can be considered as long term intervention. Development aid might be directly
connect with durable solutions for both refugees and IDP´s. However durable solutions like
resettlement to the place of origin or settlement elsewhere is not an end84.
Now we would like to discuss some point on humanitarian assistance which we learn during our
lectures of Displacement Development Nexus with Thomas Thomsen. While talking about the
humanitarian assistance it is also important to know about humanitarian aid. The traditional
definition is “humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided fro humanitarian
purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is
to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity85.
There is also an alternative definition of humanitarian assistance which is it should focus on
basically three challenges

states and its individuals should be able to carry on their humanitarian responsibilities to protect
people affected by war, conflict, or displacement

filling-in for them as much as possible when they do not

encourage and support conflict affected individuals and communities in accessing their rights
There are also some implications of humanitarian assistance which are
1.
there are certain target groups for providing humanitarian assistance which are both
displaced persons and the population who hosts them. The group also includes relevant
government structures and civil society organization
2.
supportive relief, rehabilitation and development activities should implemented side by
side.
3. Assistance should be continuing until the acting authorities and agencies are able and
willing to take up the responsibilities86
Impartiality, independent and neutrality are three imperatives of humanitarian assistance.
Impartiality means being impartial in response to any nationality, religion and ethnicity. Being
independent means it must formulate their own policies and should not mix with government aims
and policies. Humanitarian actor should act with neutrality being not in favour of any groups or
84
85
86
Asger Christensen and Niels Harild; Forced Displacement – The Development Challenge
Thomas Thomsen, Displacement Development Nexus, part 1, lecture slides, September 23, 2011
Thomas Thomsen, Displacement Development Nexus, part 2, lecture slides, September 27, 2011
communities. Historically UN lead organizations are the main humanitarian assistance actors. Such
as World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), Save the Children, United
Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) etc.
3.5.2 The Basic Model of Assistance
Thomas Thomsen also explains about `The Basic Model of Assistance` which gives and example of
good model for intervention and assistance. Generally saving of lives, restoration and development
of livelihoods, institutional and organizational change are important components of the assistance.
There are three phases which is acute crisis, displacement and durable solutions. While providing
assistance it hugely depends on these three phases. For example some target groups are in acute
crisis, some are displacement and some amy need durable solutions. In acute crisis saving of lives
covers more area which means it is more important, while in displacement and durable solution
restoration and development of livelihoods is more focused. However the whole circle represents
that all phases and components are linked with each other87.
3.5.3 International Relief Assistance
87 Thomas Thomsen, Displacement Development Nexus, part 2, lecture slides, September 27, 2011
As our research question is formulated regarding the relief assistance we would like to put some
light on international relief assistance described in the book named The role and status of
international humanitarian volunteers and organizations – The right and duty of humanitarian
assistance. In this book Beigbeder writes, for the UN Secretary General the severe humanitarian
problems are hunger and starvation, armed conflicts, natural and man-made disasters, displacements
and refugees etc. During these problems the country is in emergency situation and to provide relief
for human suffering there is an urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Therefore, the term here
humanitarian assistance is similar with relief assistance.88 Beigbeder further noted that when a
disaster occurs in Third World Countries the impact is very large estimating 95 percent of deaths
occurring during disasters, economical impact os also very high among these countries because of
dis-functional administrative structures, troubled economical and social development, corruptions
and diseases. If the resources available within the country is not enough to handle the disaster
situation an appeal is made internationally which will give rise to “international relief assistance”89
As Beigbeder has discussed different issues regarding relief assistance we will write down those
issues here because we believe that it is also important to understand before we make outr analysis
in later chapter. Relief assistance has its categories and stages.
Categories: There are three categories of relief assistance
1. assistance of its kind
Concerning to the essence of relief for disaster like supply of food, medicines, temporary shelters,
blankets etc are assistance in kind.
2. financial contribution
Financial contributions are the cash expenses while performing relief operation.
3. services rendered by trained personnel
Trained personnel refers to supply of doctors, nurses, logistic staff, administrative assistance etc.
Stages: Writing about stages, disaster relief have three phases. During the first phase, it will only
take care of immediate survival of victims. After the immediate situations have been recovered the
second phase is rehabilitation. This phase includes the assistance which will provide victims to
regain their normal life such as reconstruction of houses, supplying seeds for agriculture crops etc.
88 Yves Beigbeder p 5
89 Yves Beigbeder p 6
Final stage will gradually move towards basic approaches of development. Such approaches are
directly linked towards the causes of disaster. In other words it is also further attempts to reduce the
vulnerabilities. For example: training for health representatives, increasing health facilities,
constructing fence against flood-prone rivers.
International relief assistance involves humanitarian effort to provide relief for human suffering.
Planning, financial support, supply of resources, implementation and evaluation are important factor
to accomplish humanitarian effort. We mentioned above that international relief assistance is focus
towards Third World Countries we cannot ignore the fact that development effort are also essential
part of it.
3.6 Malthusian theory of population
In this topic, we will discuss about Malthusian theory of population.90 Thomas Robert Malthus was
British Economist and demographer, his famous theory of population highlighted the potential
dangers of over population of the nation. He has propounded his famous book, An Essay on the
Principle of Population in 1798.91 The theory is based on the assumption that power of population is
much greater than the power of earth to provide subsistence for human being.92 According to
Malthus "Disease, food shortage and death due to starvation, were nature’s way to control
population.” 93He suggested that human being should adopt measures like abortion, delay in
marriage and strict following of celibacy to check population growth. He has classified his theory in
following categories.
Population growth- According to Malthus, population growth is increased in geometric ratio such as
1:2:4: 8:16: 32: 64: ………so on.94 As a result population would be doubled in every twenty
five years of the country. In his own word, “passion between the sexes is an inevitable
phenomenon, hence, when unchecked population would grow at such a high rate that it would
out strip food supply”.95
90
Malthus, 1798. pp 1 to 614
91
. Population and Natural Resources module: Conceptual Framework, AAG Center for Global
Geography Education,
http://globalgeography.aag.org/PopulationandNaturalResources1e/CF_PopNatRes_Jan10/CF_PopNatRes_Jan108. html,
visited on 28 Nov 2011
92
Malthus, 1798. p13
93
Malthus, 1798. p 5
94
Malthus,, 1798. p 7
95
Malthus, 1798. p 6
Food production- According to Malthus food production is increased in arithmetical ratio such as
1:2:3:4:5:6………..so on.96The law of variable proportion or law of diminishing returns 97 is
applicable in land which leads to increase food production in diminishing return. According to
Samuelson, "As equal increments one input are added, the inputs of other productive services
being held constant, beyond the shorten point, the resulting increment of produce will decrease
i.e., the marginal product will diminish”. 98
Distinguish between population growth and food production- Population growth is increased in
geometrical ration whereas, food production is increased in arithmetical ration. This
Distinguish between population growth rate diminishing increment of food production would lead
to wide spread deforestation, poverty, mal-nutrition, starvation in the country.99 In his own word,
”The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man,
that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race. The vices of mankind are
active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction,
and often finish the dreadful work themselves. But should they fail in this war of extermination,
sickly seasons, epidemics, pestilence, and plague advance in terrific array, and sweep off their
thousands and tens of thousands. Should success be still incomplete, gigantic inevitable famine
stalks in the rear, and with one mighty blow levels the population with the food of the world".100
Preventive and positive check- According to Malthus, there is two methods to check population:
preventive and positive checks.101Preventive measures means to check pupation through the
effort of human being themselves such as control in birth rate, adoption of late marriage and
use of different methods to control birth. In other word, awareness and well-being society of
the country who are conscious regard their family planning. Positive check means, population
control by nature itself such as natural calamities, drought, famine, war, flood, starvation, acute
96
Malthus,1798. p 8
97
the law of diminishing marginal returns,
http://www.economicshelp.org/microessays/costs/diminishing-returns.html,
visited on 28 Nov, 2011
98
.Law of Variable Proportions/Law of Non Proportional Returns/Law of Diminishing Returns,
http://economicsconcepts.com/law_of_variable_proportions.htm, visited on 28 Nov, 2011
99
Malthus, 1798. p 8
100
Malthus, 1798 chapter, ix. p 72
101
Malthus, 1798. p7
poverty and others.102According to Malthus, "these checks of population, which are constantly
operating with more or less force in every society, and keep down to number to the level of the
means of subsistence, may be classed under two general heads- the preventive and positive
checks. The preventive check as far as voluntary, is peculiar to man, and arises from that
distinctive superiority in his reasoning faculties, which enables him to enable distant
consequences”.103
Malthus added in here that poor living and working conditions which might give rise to low
resistance to disease, as well as more obvious factors such as disease, famine, war and others manmade disasters. He added here, population is due to the pressure of increasing population against
subsistence.104
4.Analysis
In the analysis, we will examine what is written in theory and what is actually happening in Somalia
which will lead to seek our answer of research question.The sequences of following diagram will
lead our analysis.
Collapsed
State
Humanitarian
Intervention
Famine
102
103
104
Malthus, 1798. p 8
Ibid
Malthus, 1798.p 9
Chaos and
Havoc
Deforestation
Displacement
Drought
4.1Background of collapsed state
The Somali State collapsed at the beginning of 1991.105 Somalia and Somaliland was in habited
basically by Somalis with Oromo minorities in the beginning and a large Swahili minority in the
latter. Both have multiple clans, sub- clans, lineage and blood groups and in both Islam is major
social values.106The numerous clan collaborated to take control of most parts of the country and
finally won the war for Mogadishu but were not able to have unity in forming a new government.
Consequently, the territory of the former Somali land was controlled by different military factions
and fell apart, politically, into various territorial units. 107
By the end of 1990, the Somalia was in stage of complete collapse when the president of
Democratic Republic Mohamed Siad Barre declared a state of emergency in Mogadishu.108 In 1991,
armed opposition factions drove bare out of power, consequently, the central government
completely collapsed.109After the collapse of the Barre regime in 1991, various Somali factions
sought to control the national territory and started to fight among each other. In 1992, political
chaos spread, starvation and death increased from civil strife resulting hundreds of thousands of
displacement. Displaced population started claiming refugee status in neighboring countries.110 The
absence of a central government in Somalia gave opportunities to outside forces to become
influential towards other groups. Those outside forces were particularly from Ethiopia, Djibouti,
Yemen, Eritrea, Egypt and Libya also supported transitional government.111 In 1998, there were a
number of different political entities, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland in the
105
Third World Quarterly, The heritage of war and state collapse in Somalia and Somaliland: Local-level
effects, external interventions and reconstruction Volume 20, Issue 1, 1999,P 1, available at
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01436599913947, visited on 14th December 2011
106
Ibid
107
Third World Quarterly, The heritage of war and state collapse in Somalia and Somaliland: Local-level
effects, external interventions and reconstruction Volume 20, Issue 1, 1999. P 3, available at
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01436599913947, visited on 14 th December 2011
108
Background Note: Somalia, September 26, 2011Bureau of African Affairs, available at
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.htm, visited on 14th December 2011
109
Third World Quarterly, The heritage of war and state collapse in Somalia and Somaliland: Local-level
effects, external interventions and reconstruction Volume 20, Issue 1, 1999. P 5, available at
http://www.cja.org/downloads/Heritage_of_war___state_collapse.pdf, visited on 14th December 2011
110
Ibid
111
Ibid, p 6
autonomous regional state of Puntland in Northeast and in the Northwest.112 There were also
numerous locally governed political groups in the South. In the South, different faction leader
started to exercise political-military dominance over particular territories. The political fighting
between faction leader remain unsettled resulting contradiction. Fighting and political chaos are
existing and continuing at the present time as well.113
Responding to political chaos, the United States and other nations launched “Operation Restore
Hope” led by the United Nations operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), the operation was designed to
create an environment in which assistance could be delivered to Somalis suffering from the effect of
manmade and natural catastrophes.114
Beginning in spring 2011, Somalia experienced worst drought in 60 years.115 Massive crop failure
and rise in food prices doubled in Al Shabaab controlled areas of Southern and Central Somali that
led UN to declare famine in different areas. Numbers of Somalis are in need of emergency famine
assistance.116This famine has forced Somalis into stretched refugee camps in neighboring country,
while others have fled to IDP camp.
4.2 Cycle of drought
In this topic, we will analyze that the existence drought, famine and others manmade disaster are
result of high population density in Somalia on the basis of Malthusian theory of population. 117
Because of armed conflict, droughts and floods, there is a constant increasing acute humanitarian
crisis in Somalia. The IPCC (Inter governmental panel and climate change) stated that the
devastating effect of climate change may be those on human mobility.118 The researchers explains
that international humanitarian workers, local NGO and local people, the drought cycle has changed
over the last decade from once every ten years to becoming an almost nameless constant in
112
Ibid
113
Background Note: Somalia, September 26, 2011Bureau of African Affairs, available at
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.htm, visited on 14th December 2011
114
Ibid
115
Ibid
116
Background Note: Somalia, September 26, 2011Bureau of African Affairs, available at
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.htm, visited on 14th December 2011
117
Malthus, 1798. p 8
118
Kolmannskog Vikram, climate change, disaster, displacement and migration: initially evidence from
Africa , New Issue In Refugee Research, Research Paper No.180, Norwegian Refugee Council December 2009, p 5,
2009 December
Somalia.119 The IPCC (Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change) explains that the devastating
effects of climate change may be those on human mobility.120Malthus argued that “population
increase leads to reduction in per capita output of agricultural goods due to the fixed supply of
fertile land”.121 The capital city Mogadishu is growing by a very high rate 10% a year while rate of
population growth is about 3%.122 It seems, there is heavy pressure on limited land. Similarly,
according to the World Bank report, only 55% of Somali land is suitable for grazing. The country
has an estimated population of about 9 million in 1995, of which 75% reside in rural areas; the main
occupation of Somali is agriculture.123The heavy pressure of population on land leads to reduction
in per capita output of agricultural goods because of limited supply of fertile land.75% of the people
live in remote area and only 55% fertile land is available in there. The heavy pressure of population
on limited supply of land is one of the causal factors of environmental degradation, which has led
drought in Somalia.124
A local elder said, “The drought now is different, there is less rain and more people and there has
been a high population growth and connection some areas.”125 He added, in addition to change in
the climate and causes of drought, there has been a high population growth in some concentration
area.126 Many local people believe that Allah causes the drought and disaster, the one older local
talk about the change they have witnessed and, as one interviewee said that, “there are becoming
stories in our community now.”127
Malthus explains that the action between population growth rate and food production would lead to
widespread poverty and starvation which would only be checked by natural occurrences such as
drought, flood, disease, high infant mortality, famine, war or moral restraint.128
119
Ibid
120
Ibid, p 1
121
Malthus, 1798. p 22
122
World Bank Report (1995). p 12
123
Ibid
124
Brückner Markus, Population Size and Civil Conflict Risk: Is there a Causal Link?, The Economic
Journal Volume 120, Issue 544, pages 535–550, May 2010, available at
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2010.02352.x/full
125
Kolmannskog Vikram, climate change, disaster, displacement and migration: initially evidence from
Africa , NEW ISSUE IN REFUGEE RESEARCH, Research Paper No.180, Norwegian Refugee Council December
2009. p 5, based on interview with local people ,interview 34, 2009 December.
126
Ibid
127
Ibid, p 5, based on interview with local people, interview 32, 2009 December.
128
Malthus, 1798. p 8
In 2009, the drought hit in many regions, in the places that experienced heavy rain fall, it often
came in the form of heavy and unexpected rain fall that often displaced numbers of people and
killing of the livestock who were already vulnerable and weak from the drought. 129 The ongoing
drought and an escalating civil war have made food insecurity further. The country has been facing
its worst humanitarian crisis in eighteen years.130 The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit
Somalia (FSNAU) claimed that the ongoing famine in southern Somalia has two primary causes.
First, the total failure of the October-December 2010 rains and the poor performance of the AprilJune 2011 rains resulted as the worst annual crop and food production in 17 years, very high food
prices and excess animal mortality. Second, the access of the humanitarian assistance in the south
Somalia was extremely limited until September- October due to inadequate response by the
international community and severely restricted humanitarian access in people of need. 131
There are many links between conflict, deforestation, disaster, human mobility and
displacements.132Even, most urban households use charcoal for every day cooking food. A survey
has been estimated that some families use a full sack of charcoal every four days due to their large
family size, and with this aggravated charcoal use results as a significant amount of environmental
degradation.133According to a study by the Academic for Peace and Development reports in 2007
stated that greater than 2.5 million trees are felled each and every year and burned for charcoal. The
report further stated that each house hold in Somaliland consumes an average of ten trees a month
because of large family size.134 Charcoal is cheaper alternative sources for daily life and a large
former refugee population, tree feeling and huge dependence on charcoal in the self-declared
Somalia are adversely affecting the environment.
129
“Too much, too soon,”‖ as 15,000 flee floods, 29 October 2009, IRIN, available at
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86791, visited on 9 December 2011
130
Somalia: Half the Population in Humanitarian Crisis Amid An Escalating Civil War, 24 August 2009,
Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit – Somalia, available at http://www.fsausomali.org/
131
Famine continues; observed improvements contingent on continued response, Issued: November 18,
2011, , Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit – Somalia, available at http://www.fsnau.org/in-focus/faminecontinues-observed-improvements-contingent-continued-response
132
Kolmannskog Vikram, climate change, disaster, displacement and migration: initially evidence from
Africa , NEW ISSUE IN REFUGEE RESEARCH, Research Paper No.180, Norwegian Refugee Council December
2009. p 6
133
Charcoal Fueled Deforestation in Somalia, Suzanne Kanehl posted this in Agriculture, Cities, Coal,
Deforestation, Desertification, Forestry, General, available at http://www.sprol.com/2009/06/charcoal-fueldeforestation-somalia/, visited on 12th December 2011
134
Ibid
The report made by Academic for Peace and Development reports in 2007 again stated that
deforestation not only aggravated soil erosion, it also reduces rainfall availability. The other cause
of drought , trees are a vital component in environment and in carbon fixing, which is the natural
process of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.135
Source: http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/somalia-coal.htm
According to Malthus, “The positive check to population is a direct consequence of the lack of a
preventive check when society does not limit population growth voluntary, diseases, famines and
wars reduce population size and establish the necessary balance with resources”.136
In Somalia displacement and mass movement of people due to droughts, floods and conflict to an
already resource stresses area may again wipe out the area of resources.137 The movement of people
135
Ibid
136
Malthus, An Essay on the Principle of Population, An Essay on the Principle of Population, as it
Affects the Future Improvement of Society with Remarks on the Speculations of Mr. Godwin, M. Condorcet, and Other
Writers, Londo Printed for J. Johnson, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard 1798, available
http://www.esp.org/books/malthus/population/malthus.pdf, visited on 12th December 2011
has been abnormal and massive to these areas that receive rains. In this situation, technology plays a
vital role to inform each other immediately about rainfall in an area through mobile phones, and the
rich pastoralist transports huge numbers of their livestock by trucks, creating massive and a sudden
pressure on pastures.138 This movement of people could make the area more pressure to disaster,
increase competition over scarce resources and conflict and initiate further displacement. The above
mentioned statement of Malthus comes true in the case of Somaliland when the huge numbers of
pastoralist move immediately in rainy areas, this movement creates distinguish between available
resources and population pressure and that could make the area more pressure to disaster. In this
situation, if the society does not limit the pressure on limited resources, nature itself makes balance
on population size which will be affordable by the existing resources. As an outcome of nature’s
balance disasters like diseases, famines, drought, wars and floods are occurred.
The above mentioned views of Malthus is proved by the statement of United Nations. According to
UN, “Tens of thousands of people have already died, hundreds more are dying every day and
750,000 are facing starvation in the expanding famine zone in southern Somalia and hundreds of
people are dying every day and that four million people in Somalia, more than half the country’s
population need emergency food aid”.139
137
Kolmannskog Vikram, climate change, disaster, displacement and migration: initially evidence from
Africa, NEW ISSUE IN REFUGEE RESEARCH, Research Paper No.180, Norwegian Refugee Council December
2009. p 7
138
Kolmannskog Vikram, climate change, disaster, displacement and migration: initially evidence from
Africa , NEW ISSUE IN REFUGEE RESEARCH, Research Paper No.180, Norwegian Refugee Council December
2009. p 7, based on interview with local people ,interview 41, 2009 December and Quarterly Brief - Focus on Gu
Season Early Warning, 12th June 2009, Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit, available at www.fsausomali.org
139
Somalia famine worsens, hundreds are dying daily, September 6, 2011 11:43, available at
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/110906/somalia-famine-grows-hundreds-are-dying-daily,
visited on 12th December 2011
A newly displaced Somali mother feeds her severely malnourished baby with
sugary water to restore energy at a feeding center in Doolow, southwestern
Somalia. U.N. refugee agency chief Antonio Guterres said that relief groups
should increase aid to war-battered and drought-hit Somalis to reduce the exodus
to neighboring countries. (Tony Karumba /AFP/Getty Images)
Sources: Somalia famine worsens; hundreds are dying daily, available at
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/110906/somalia-famine-grows-hundreds-are-dying-daily
, visited on 12th December 2011.
Grainne Moloney, chief technical officer at the U.N.’s Nairobi-based Food Security and Nutrition
Analysis Unit which collects and analyzes data on the famine said that famine has previously been
found in different regions of Somalia such as Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle and Bakol regions
as well as in the camps of IDPs in and around Mogadishu.140Some of interviews said that, there may
also be an indirect link between drought and displacement through conflict.141 They believed the
drought makes conflict worst by increasing competition over fertile land and resources and
conversely, the armed conflict may also worsen the drought.142 The armed conflict can hinder the
140
Ibid
141
Kolmannskog Vikram, climate change, disaster, displacement and migration: initially evidence from
Africa , NEW ISSUE IN REFUGEE RESEARCH, Research Paper No.180, Norwegian Refugee Council December
2009. p 6n
142
Ibid
movement of pastoralists due to drought; they cannot pass through certain unsafe areas. 143War and
military activities have detrimental impacts on the environment. Lack of state control form of
government has led to widespread misuse and overuse of natural resources and environmental
degradation. For example, the commercial production and export of charcoal resulting in
deforestation and there by contributing to drought, is an important part of the war economy.144
From the above analysis, as I write, the Malthusian theory is playing out in parts of Somalia. We
however conceded that for parts of Africa such as Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and the
developing world, the Malthusian theory was becoming a reality.145The current famine in parts of
developing region is developing into humanitarian tragedy of momentous proportions.146 Almost
750,000 people are under threat of starvation.147 How the developed world will react and solve this
tragedy will indicate whether the theory of Malthus is still a reality.
4.3Obstructions by al Shabaab
143
Ibid, p 7
144
Kolmannskog Vikram, climate change, disaster, displacement and migration: initially evidence from
Africa , NEW ISSUE IN REFUGEE RESEARCH, Research Paper No.180, Norwegian Refugee Council December
2009. p 6
145
Mahama John, 29 Nov 2002Malthus And Africa, available at
http://www.modernghana.com/news/111555/1/malthus-and-africa.html
146
Ibid
147
Somalia famine worsens, hundreds are dying daily, September 6, 2011 11:43, available at
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/110906/somalia-famine-grows-hundreds-are-dying-daily,
visited on 12th December 2011
The report published by The American Enterprise Institute in one of its web page Critical Threat,
dated July 27, 2011 by Katherine Zimmerman titled Al Shabaab´s history with humanitarian
assistance, says Somalia has one of the most adverse atmosphere for humanitarian activities.
Historically in southern and central parts the humanitarian agencies are being banned for operating
its activities. The obstruction for international relief assistance is mainly created by Islamist militant
group – Al Shabaab148.
There are two forces who are mainly operating in Somalia. Blue and Red forces149.
Under Blue forces :
1. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
2. African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
3. Ahlu sunna wa al Jama´a
Under Red forces :
4. Hizb al Islam
5. Al Shabaab
148
Al Shabaab´s history with humanitarian assistance available at www.criticalthreats.org
149
Christopher Harnish, Briefing package: The terror threat from Somalia, 12 March 2010 available at
http://www.criticalthreats.org/somalia/briefing-package-terror-threat-somalia-mar-12-2010
We are here writing a detail information on Al Shabaab referring to the slides prepared by
Christopher Harnish in criticalthreat.org. The territory controlled by Al Shabaab is the largest
territory covered by any Islamist militant group in the world. Al Shabaab has been recognized as
terror group by US, UK, Canada and Australia. The group has threatened to attack United States. Al
Shabaab formed its group in 1980´s which grew out from the Islamic Union. They searched for an
initiation of Islamic State in Horn of Africa. Islamic Union controlled the several cities in Southern
Somalia after the collapse of Siad Barre regime. They were recognized by the Ethiopians as a threat
and used military force to throw them out from these cities. They were imposed to operate their
activities underground. A small group broke off from Islamic Union in early 2000 who were
dedicated to protect Al Qaeda in East Africa. Eventually those small group took the name Al
Shabaab. Later they become the military wing of Islamic Court Union which were emerging force
in Somalia. Furthermore Harnish mentioned that in December 2006 Ethiopia invaded Somalia and
the political leadership of Islamic Court Union fled. Al Shabaab remained in the country and began
operating as an autonomous entity by early 2007. By January 2009 Ethiopia withdrew its force.
Approximately Al Shabaab´s power men range from 2000 to 5000, report dated 12 March 2010.
Interestingly the group consists of 800 to 1100 foreigners which includes Arabs, Pakistanis,
Bengalis, Europeans and Americans. Up to 100 British young people are ethnically Somali who
have studied in prestigious universities like London School of Economics and King´s College, have
joined Al Shabaab and serving as doctors, engineers for the group. Over 20 Americans who were
ethnically Somali have also joined Al Shabaab. At least 6 of them have died fighting for the group
150
.
In the Central and Southern part of the Somalia, Transitional Federal Government (TFG), African
Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and occasionally tribal leaders are Al Shabaab´s commonly
known enemies. The tactics used by Al Shabaab to its enemies are
1. Guerilla insurgency
2. Roadside IED´S
3. Vehicle-born IED´S
4. Mortar attacks
150
Christopher Harnish, Briefing package: The terror threat from Somalia, 12 March 2010 available at
http://www.criticalthreats.org/somalia/briefing-package-terror-threat-somalia-mar-12-2010
5. Political assassinations
6. Suicide bombings
We are here giving some brief account on Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African
Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) also referring to the slides of Christopher Harnish. TFG is
formed by the back-up of UN and African Union in 2004. For the provision of basic goods to
citizens TFG heavily depends on international support . AMISOM was deployed in March 2007
with 8000 troops for a peacekeeping mission. Creating an environment for the delivery of aid,
supporting government infrastructures, implementing security plan were the mandate of the troops.
Al Shabaab have also targeted AMISOM troops saying that these troops are a foreign presence in
Somali soil.
Al Shabaab`s area of control are Middle and Lower Jubba regions, Gedo region, Bay region, Bakool
region, part of Lower shabelle region, larger parts in Mogadishu, key port cities in Kismayo, Marka
and Kenya border town of Diif. A huge portions of funding for Al Shabaab comes from money
transfers from the Somali diaspora, the group also take taxes from aid agencies, citizens and
imports. UN has accused Al Shabaab that its funding comes from Eritrea151.
Al Shabaab uses an extremely harsh interpretation of shari´a law to define itself as an authority of
its controlled area. Rules such as ban to watch and play soccer, listen to music, dance at wedding
and even wearing bras by women. From the report of February 23, 2010, Office for Supervising the
Affairs of Foreign Agencies (OSAFA) takes the authority of regulating foreign aid within the
controlled area of it´s group. By violently imposing its rules and regulations to international
organizations like UN. Al Shabaab tries to make an impression that it is only legitimate authority in
the region. By regulating the foreign aid is part of an American plan to make Somali people
dependent on American atheist by weakening the Somali farmer. The report further says that Al
Shabaab has exploited foreign aid to increase its capacity and maintain its control of southern
Somalia.
A report from criticalthreats.org on October 4, 2011, Katherine Zimmerman says that there was a
suicide bomber attack in Mogadishu. The blast killed over 64 people at the entrance of Ministry of
151
Christopher Harnish, Briefing package: The terror threat from Somalia, 12 March 2010 available at
http://www.criticalthreats.org/somalia/briefing-package-terror-threat-somalia-mar-12-2010
Education. Al Shabaab itself took the responsibility in one of its website152. Referring to the another
report on United Nations Political Office for Somalia – the featured news on press conference in
Nairobi UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine Mahiga on 31 October 2011. He was
asked about Kenyan military operation in Somalia - “the two nations have a common enemy and
that common enemy is Al Shabaab which has been major obstruction to humanitarian assistance”.
Dr Mahiga further said that internally displaced are contionuously arriving in Mogadishu and such
people are the victims of famine brought on by severe drought153.
A statement was also issued by UN spokesperson for secretary General Ban Ki-moon which says
The Secretary-General condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Al-Shabaab’s seizure of property
and equipment belonging to several non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies
earlier today. This brazen act prevents these organizations from providing life-saving assistance.
The Secretary-General demands that Al-Shabaab vacate the premises and return seized property to
the affected agencies and NGOs. He calls for the ban imposed today by Al-Shabaab against these
humanitarian organizations to be lifted immediately. He further calls on all parties in Somalia to
respect international humanitarian law.154
Sources : Secretary-Genera SG/SM/13975 AFR/2297; Department of Public Information, News and Media
Division, New York, 28 November 2011
152
Zimmerman Katherine, Al Shabaab suicide bombing in Mogadishu October 4, 2011 available at
www.criticalthreats.org/somalia/zimmerman-shabaab-bombing-mogadishu-october-4-2011
153
Featured news, SRSG Mahiga updates the media on the latest development in Somalia available at:
http://unpos.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?ctl=Details&tabid=1911&mid=2201&ItemID=15547
154
Secretary-Genral SG/SM/13975 AFR/2297; Department of Public Information, News and Media
Division, New
York, 28 November 2011 available at:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sgsm13975.doc.htm
The group has publicly associate itself with al Qaeda and global jihad network155. Al shabaab
officially started its establishment on July 20, 2009 as OSAFA – Office for the Supervision of the
Affairs of Foreign Agencies to observe the operations of NGO´s and international organizations
within the country. They ordered to close down offices of United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), the United Nations Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), United Nations Political
Office for Somalia (UNPOS) accusing that these organizations are unfavourable to Islam. Al
155
Al shabaab leadership profile available at www.criticalthreats.org
Shabaab has also carried out violent activities like raiding local offices, kidnapping aid workers,
destroying food and medical supply. UN offices were compelled to break off their activities after
they were raided in Baidoa in Bay region and Wajid in Bakool region. Zimmerman claims in her
report that 2.85 million Somalis need emergency assistance according to World Food Programme
out of which 1.65 million live in the controlled region of al Shabaab. Referring to the report of
garoweonline.com, on 2nd November 2009, al Shabaab leader known as Abu Mansur blamed WFP
had supplied food stuffs during the harvesting time which will sabotage the farmers and traders of
agriculture. He further charged anyone carrying US flags cannot supply the food stuffs in southern
Somalia156. CNN reports on November 25, 2009 that al Shabaab gave a warning to WFP that is
should buy the food from local farmers while distributing it or else it should stop its operation. They
also warned the local contractors to stop helping UN agency by January 1, 2010157. During the same
time they also issued 11 new rules for aid agencies in Bay and Bakool region. Some of the rules are
women are not allowed to work, promotional activities regarding democracy should stop,
humanitarian organizations need to take out all the logos from logistic vehicles, aid agencies should
pay $20000 twice a year as registration fee and so on158. Baldoff Scott a reporter on csmonitor.com
writes that due to repeated threats from al Shabaab, raids on UN offices and its staff, January 25
2010 UN´s World Food Programme suspended its food relief operations. Peter Smerdon spokesman
for WFP in Nairobi explain that “They also made a demand for payment of $20000 over six months
for security. We can´t agree to the conditions and to that payment so feel that it is time to pull out
for the moment, so feel that it is time to pull out for the moment”159. OCHA Somalia has also issued
´Humanitarian Access Report´on May 2011 which says military operations in southern and central
Somalia impeded humanitarian operations throughout May. On 25th May INGO providing health
facilities in Jamme middle Juba region were closed because of lack of access. The reports further
claims during May 2011, approximately 184 security incidents took place, seven incidents of
156
Al shabaab bans WFP food distrubution in southern Somalia available at www.garoweonline.com, 2nd
November 2009
157
Militia warns UN to buy from Somali farmers or cut aid available www.cnn.com, November 25, 2009
158
Somali rebels issue aid rules available at news www.news24.com, November 6, 2009
159
UN suspends food aid to southern Somalia, The christian science monitor available at
www.csmonitor.com, January 5, 2010
violence out of these were related to humanitarian personnel. However the report do not mentioned
any name particularly responsible for the act160
The theory on humanitarian assistance describes that the objective of emergency assistance is to
save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain dignity Humanitarian assistance as a form of material
support like food supply, medicines, temporary shelters etc were provided to IDP´S mainly by UN
organizations. There are also lots of other national and international organizations providing
assistance but we did not research on those organizations. Here we see that organizations providing
assistance were created obstructions by Al Shabaab. The statement of UN Secretary-General
addressing Al Shabaab is an important example which shows that the obstructions were created and
UN is not in favour of this group.
4.4 Neo-realism in Somalia’s Humanitarian Intervention to protect IDPs
As we are doing this research based on secondary data particularly qualitative data so we will
analysis the entire theoretical context in to practice through secondary qualitative data. NeoRealism and its applications in to humanitarian intervention in regards to our research question
“what are the obstacles for humanitarian intervention and relief assistance”. We will analysis this
research question through the theory of Neo-Realism by theorist in social sciences Huseyn Aliyev
and by Kenneth Waltz in his book “theory of interventional politics”161 (1979)
Neo-realist believes that the political scenario is differentiating according to the status quo162 and
political power holder responds in to any crisis according to their respective countries interests163.
From theory to practice neo-realism have states in to the humanitarian intervention by two sections.
One section is going to analyze in to the cold war scenario of humanitarian interventions and second
part will discuss in to the post-cold war humanitarian interventions in to the world politics164. First
of all we would like to see the real connection of Neo- Realism in to the overall world political
scenario and comes in to the practical ground as a Somalia case according to our research question .
160
OCHA Somalia – Humanitarian Access, reporting period 01 to 31 May 2011 available at
www.ochaonline.un.org
161
Kenneth Waltz in his book “theory of interventional politics”, 1979. pp 7 to 12
162
Ibid, p 8
163
Ibid, p 9
164
Kenneth Waltz in his book “theory of interventional politics”, 1979. pp 3 to 8
The paper will show details about how could have been impact in to the Somalia by Neo-Realism in
cold war period and similarly post-cold war165. Then finally the paper will look in to the possible
application of theory in to the humanitarian intervention and “how the neo-realist world influenced
humanitarian action so far? “166
In realism realists are seen in the attempt to details alternations of war and peace.167 Realism causes
of war especially assigned, we know that fact about the states with every imaginable variation of
economic institution, social custom, and political ideology has fought war168. These factors were
the cause for I and II world war. Even this time this concept is playing major role to occur war .for
examples realist claims that World War I was caused by the interaction of two different but closely
balanced power lords,169 but in Second World War caused by failure of some different states.
We are discussing about the humanitarian intervention during the cold war period and after the cold
war period. “All we need do is think back to recent political rhetoric positing a new world order to
recognize policymakers similarly confused over whether the world will dissolve into chaos or
rebuild toward utopia.” 170 ……
We are giving an account of humanitarian intervention in cold war and after cold war. Categorically,
first part of analysis will focus in to the cold war period and second part will be the post-cold war
period then we will taking the case in to the Somalia as a horn of African humanitarian crisis and
will be analyses from neo-realism perspective. Most of the cases are taken in to the discussion in to
the comparative analysis.
Pakistanis authorities used excessive power to kill Bengalis people in East Pakistan which brutality
resulted over a million people death. In 1971 in between March and December India intervention
brought to the massacres to an end and it leads to create new state171called Bangladesh. In fact such
165
Ibid
166
Ibid, p 5
167
Kenneth Waltz in his book “theory of interventional politics”, 1979. pp 7 to 12
168
Ibid
169
Ibid
170
Somalia and the Dissolution of the Nation-State Author(s): Anna Simons Reviewed work(s):Source:
American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 96, No. 4 (Dec., 1994), pp. 818-824Published by: Blackwell Publishing on
behalf of the American Anthropological Association
171
Saving Strangers : Humanitarian Intervention in International SocietyWheeler, Nicholas J. , p 55
type intervention by India questions as an intervention in to the sovereign country under
humanitarian intervention which was accepted by international communities due to the world’s
bipolar political power states.172
During the cold war period Pakistan was supported by USA and China and the Soviet Union was
supporting India. India just intervened in principle of humanitarian intervention but some said
which not the ground of justification173. On august 1971 India tried to justify its intervention in
regards to protect civilian’s loss and mass displacement 174 in United Nations Security Council
meeting. Indian intervention in to the Bengali people also discussed and defined as usual it was
happened before. it means political power holder had been describe according to their political
interests in Security Council.
Another case is Vietnamese invade in to the Cambodia. The triumph of realism is our common
humanity175. Another example of humanitarian intervention was Vietnamese intervention in to
Cambodia to overthrow pol pot regime. Vietnam has over through the pol pot in early 1979.
Vietnams installed government by Russian bloc claimed that the Khmer Rouge were responsible for
three million deaths out of six million people176Khmer Rouge was responsible for most of the death
due to the starvation from forced labor and political killing was 30000000 peoples, but Vietnam
could have tried under as a humanitarian ground177. Unites Nations Securities Council and General
Assembly recognized the terrible suffers of the Khmer people under pol pot, but Vietnamese
affirms the principle that human right violation could not justify the unilateral us of force in to any
other sovereign country178 but in same case but different scenario India and Pakistanis case in
Bangladesh . There were majorities of the Security Council and general Assembly was pluralist
argument echoed in response to India’s action over Pakistan179 .
172
Ibid, p 5
173
Ibid p 64
174
Ibid p 66
175
Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society
Wheeler, Nicholas J. p 78
176
Ibid, p 78
177
Ibid, p 78
178
Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society
Wheeler, Nicholas J., p 79
179
Ibid, p 79
Initially USA imposed over India economic sanction but within a month USA also joined with the
rest of the world to recognize as a new independent country Bangladesh and legitimized India’s
intervention in to another sovereign country. Vietnam had series of war with Cambodia in 1978- 9
from that war Vietnam wanted to look after reasonable time to invade in to the Cambodia. Vietnam
intervened in to Cambodian pol pot as self-defense act in Vietnamese word. It could have been
under humanitarian intervention principles.180 According to UN non-intervention principle
Vietnamese intervention over Cambodian could have violate UN principle. Russian backed
Vietnamese government action changed the balance of power in the reason181
Another intervention had been happen Tanzanian intervention in to Uganda. Tanzanian government
condemned Ugandan dictator Idi Amin who used excessive power to kills its own citizen and
Tanzania gave support the militia who wanted to topple Dictator Idi Amin from Uganda. In early
1979 Ugandan dictator been overthrown from barbaric regime that became an embarrassment to
other African governments.182 Since 1971 Idi Amin came in to the power. He imposed 8 year
dictatorship up on Uganda. According to Amnesty International Amin dictatorship killed up to
300000 people183 the brutality of Idi Amin neither condemn nor intervene by OAU, which prohibits
intervention in the internal affairs of member states. But Tanzanian president Nyerere who did
condemn Amin’s brutality and genocide of its own people and he challenged Idi Amin’s legitimacy
from that reactions Ugandan president invaded in to Tanzania. As result Tanzania use his full
military power against Idi Amin and justified in humanitarians ground.
Despite Tanzanian –Ugandan conflict never been issue in Security Council and also it did not came
as a main debate in184 OAU summit. From Ugandan case great powers showed no interests in
coming to Uganda’s defense. This case can clearly tell about the use of force is a precedent
supporting humanitarian intervention as a rule of customary international law.185
180
Ibid
181
Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society
Wheeler, Nicholas J. p 99 Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society
182
Ibid
183
Ibid
184
Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society
185
Ibid
4.5 Modern Humanitarian Intervention
In a stance; neo-realism is a theory of balance; and the anarchy of international system, is an order
rather than a condition of chaos .balance of power is the only means to preserve peace186. Modern
humanitarian’s intervention is conducted in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment187. From
neo-realist point of view theoretical piece is an analysis of how humanitarian action can be
perceived from a neo-realist perception.
Practical approach of neo-realism in present context states on international arena and international
aid organizations can be explained from neo-realist perspective.188Neo- realism and its theoretical
component, this analysis suggests that neo-realism can be traced in modern politics of humanitarian
assistance. Post- cold war period there are numerous Examples which we can see in the world
political scenario that shows the degree of humanitarian intervention in different needed have been
used according to their political interests. Under the unipolar political system humanitarian
assistance and intervention means to go through power states strategically importance and the
resources availability. Neo-realism said that war is unlikely in neo-realism if it happened then will
go through national interests in order to protect peoples or if any natural disaster occurred then
people needed humanitarian assistance or intervention then will respond likewise. “Hardly any
state dared to intervene in superpowers’ area of influence in order to protect civilian population or
alleviate humanitarian emergency. The Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979-89) and the American war
in Vietnam (1960-75) have both had multiple examples of human rights violations by the invading
superpowers and humanitarian emergencies”189. For examples in 1988 Armenian case in Armenian
there was very strong earthquake went was needed huge scale of humanitarian intervention and
assistance due to the loss of life and the ongoing armed conflict. International communities poured
huge scale of aid to the affected population despite looting; abducting and killing of aid workers
.international community show their unity for pure humanitarian assistance whiteout having any
motives to help Armenian people
186
The journal of Humanitarian Assistance ,published by Feinstein international Centre
http://sites.tufts.edu/jha/archives/1173
187
The journal of Humanitarian Assistance ,published by Feinstein international centre
http://sites.tufts.edu/jha/archives/tag/neo-realism
188
Ibid
189
Ibid
4.6 The case of Safe Haven and No-Fly Zones in Iraq
Point of departures, from the end of cold war international community has presented their own
national interests to help people. Who suffer by humanitarian crisis in particular arena rather than
to be independent in a genuine reason of humanitarian interventions power states intervened in
different context and different interests shows by international community according to their nation
states interests. The paralysis of the Security Council during the cold war was the context for the
intervention by India, Tanzania, and Vietnam. The central role has been played by Security Council
to give legitimacy to the invading in to the countries. In 1974 Kurds people had an autonomous in
northern Iraq but after Iran Iraq war Kurd challenged Saddam Hussein’s bath party then Kurds been
attacked by Iraqi forces .
In Iraq in 1991-3 international response to the plight of the Kurds and shifts time in nineteen
countries by them spread and trapped in to the border of Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Some
organizations claim that as much as 100,000 Kurds had been killed by chemical weapon attacked by
Saddam Hussein regimes. 190 There was verbal condemnation of Iraq’s appalling attacks against
civilian but there was not any sanction imposed against the Saddam Hussein’s regimes. It did not
happen anything to Saddam Hussein’s until he was an American ally.
But after the gulf war Saddam Hussein no longer remained US ally. In 1991 United States realize
that there is no benefit from Iraq then USA and UN imposed no fly zone in Iraq to protect Kurdish
people. In Iraqi case Security Council produced Resolution 688, the key legitimating argument
employed by western states to justify their intervention. In another Similar case, recently UN
imposed no fly zone over Libya its ally countries including USA, NATO and some European
countries have help to implement UN no fly zone in Libya on March 2011 in order to protect
civilian from Muammar Gaddafi regimes.
190
J.E. stromseth ,Iraq, in L.F. Dam rosch (e.d.)Enforcing Restraint; collective Intervention in internal
conflicts : New York council on foreign Relations ,1993. pp 81
Similarly, international community was without any undoubtedly willing to assist conflict affected
nations, but in same time they carefully avoided military interventions, on a scale of 1999 Kosovo
campaign or 2011 Libya intervention.
Particularly, if such an action could be possibly serve as a provocation to either of Superpowers.
The Korean War (1950-53) was one of a few examples where superpowers and their allies were
dangerously close to crossing the line of Cold War boundaries of intervention.
From historical perspective to the present Somalia case, we have found from our research question
that international super power did not see anything to get from Somalia so it’s becoming the
neglected character in the world politics. Also its being a character of isolated collapse states. The
scenario is so dangerous in Somalia. Quite few organizations are allowed to work in Somalia to
provide relief assistance to all the IDPS in Somalia. 191 From the famine relief to “Humanitarian
War; The US and UN intervention in Somalia was based on the plight of Kurdish save by western
government intervention in Iraq was on-off response. 1992 December USA and UN intervened in
Somalia .which was another post-cold war intervention by UN and US in regards to protect to the
civilian society. The US intervention in Somalia was historic because first time UN authorized its
chapter VII intervention without consent of a sovereign government192. US intervention was not
succeeded and all the UN organs also did not function. There was huge criticism about the relief
assistance provide mechanism.193
In 1989 The United Somali Congress (USC) formed an alliance between two Hawiye clan leader
General Mohamed Farah Aidid and Ali Mahdi . Those two war lord took over said Barre
dictatorship regime. From capital Mogadishu Sid Barre had been swept away from power. From
that Somalia sink in to the civil war which lead country in to the collapse state. Different militias
and Al Shabaab are dominating the large scale of territories but there is no fixed government and
securities channel and judicial mechanism. There is city centered UN backed National Federation
Council is in half part of Mogadishu but not functioning to bring back law and order. Such volatile
191
192
193
Ibid p 93
Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society Wheeler, Nicholas J. p 172
Ibidp172
situation no one can operate humanitarian assistance and Al Shabaab did not allowed operating
humanitarian activities by INGOS and NGOS activities so peoples are suffering and dying.
There was already huge civilian death crisis in 1992 after Siad Barre fall. Until that time it was not
because of lack of aid it was just because of lack of insecurities and non-governmental situation
caused thousands of people died from severe malnutrition, dieses. After the fall of Siad Barre, exambassador of USA T.Frank Erigker,tourned the light to the international community that “ turn out
the light and forget about the Somalia”.194 Senior officials in the Bush Administration were too
Preoccupied with the situation in Iraq, disintegration of soviet Union , Yugoslavian collapse were
more important then Somalia to give much attention to the plight of Somalis . There was nothing to
gain from Somalia.
Precisely the same things is existing in Somalia in present context as well. On 1 December 2010,
the 2011 Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for Somalia was launched. Aid agencies working in
Somalia appealed for USD 530 million to respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs in the
country195.(http://www.emro.who.int/somalia/
Nevertheless, as it was used to be in cold war age, there are “attractive” and less
“attractiv“conflicts. Prolonged civil war and collapse state in Somalia serves as an example of a
typical quack-mire conflict for which few are willing to commit their resources and troops. The
plight of civilian population in Somalia has failed to attract international attention in comparison to
notorious piracy problem off the coast of Somalia (as well as in the Indian Ocean in general).
Ethiopian and ensuing African Union (AU) interventions in Somalia have had little success in
protecting civilian population affected by the conflict and the AU mission in Somalia receives only
a limited support. Despite of the increasing awareness by the international community that the
piracy problem is closely “196 related to instability and failed-state problem in Somalia, neither
194
Quoted in J.Pilger ;the US Fraud in Africa ; New Statesman and Society, 8 Jan, 1993. P 10
195
http://www.emro.who.int/somalia/
196
he journal of Humanitarian Assistance,Feinstein international Centre,
http://sites.tufts.edu/jha/archives/1173
individual Western States nor international organizations are willing to intervene in Somalia’s
conflict and extreme humanitarian crisis.197
The nature and mentality of neo-realist ideology in modern humanitarian world have been
transformed. Nonetheless, in a nutshell neo-realism is far from extinction in international Affairs
and humanitarian world. The superpowers of today, a.k.a. members of the UN Security Council, are
still enjoying the status of privileged. The US invasion of Iraq in 2004 and human rights violations
committed by invading forces , as well as Russia’s endless wars in Chechnya and the North
Caucasus resulting in a great suffering of civilians population and the Chinese use of force in Tibet
have all been beyond the “Responsibilities to protect, based on neo-realism theory any humanitarian
intervention should be neutral and there should be pure humanitarian motives rather than particular
states political interests, selective humanitarian interventions and assistance, the ‘New World Order’
humanitarianism198 is still far from being neutral and need-based. Somalia needed right now only
pure humanitarian intervention even it could be through military intervention and humanitarian
intervention could go together or just co-operate the different political opponent existing in Somalia
in order to provide pure humanitarian aid and protect from human suffering. Aid agencies, rather
than individual states, are expectedly more prone to conduct impartial and neutral humanitarian
assistance.
End of this paper from the neo-realism theory to analysis part can make clear about the international
intervention in to the pure humanitarian need should be impartial and neutral. Regardless of the
international political system, i.e., unipolar, bipolar and nation states will expectedly continue to act
on their own national interests. International community might come to assist a humanitarian crisis
as a pure humanitarian assistance principle but they might come to assist a humanitarian crisis as a
part of whatever alliance or union, but their very involvement in particular alliance will likely to
influence by their national interests.
5. Conclusion
197
198
Ibid
Ibid
The nature and mentality of neo-realist ideology in modern humanitarian world have been
transformed. Nonetheless, in a nutshell neo-realism is far from extinction in international Affairs
and humanitarian world. The superpowers of today, a.k.a. members of the UN Security Council, are
still enjoying the status of privileged. The US invasion of Iraq in 2004 and human rights violations
committed by invading forces, as well as Russia’s endless wars in Chechnya and the North
Caucasus resulting in a great suffering of civilian’s population and the Chinese use of force in Tibet
have all been beyond the protection. Any humanitarian intervention should be neutral and there
should be pure humanitarian motives rather than particular states political interests, selective
humanitarian interventions and political allies. The Somali state collapsed in 1991 as a result of the
civil war. When longtime dictator Siad Barre regime toppled, Somalia went in protracted civil war.
As result of civil war massive displacement occurred in Somalia. Peoples are in need of acute
humanitarian assistance in order to protect and save from massive human suffering. Somalia is a
collapsed state without police administration, army, bureaucratic mechanism and juridical system to
provide law and order to its citizens. Somalia’s Volatile political situation cannot provide securities.
Al Shabaab is major obstacles to provide humanitarian assistance. They are posing serious threat to
the international aid organizations and its worker. Series of abducting and killing of aid worker has
been creating harassment and frustration among the humanitarian organizations and its employees.
We like to look at the degree of threat to the humanitarian organization. Humanitarian organizations
outmost interests are ending in to the abduction, killing and finally went through from losing the
hope to provide their humanitarian act due to the serious threat from Al Shabaab.
Beside the resignation due to the impossibility of providing the humanitarian assistance to Somali
IDPS became extremely thinkable question. International community may have to work together
with militarily intervention to reach people in need.
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