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Famine, Terrorism, and Desperation; The Somalia Situation

"Inaction is tragedy's oldest friend"

       Natural disasters are currently reeking havoc on most of Africa, with catastrophic droughts that are literally killing thousands every day. One of the worst regions affected by the current climate is Southern Somalia, with over half the population currently suffering from starvation, which is about 4 million people. Southern Somalia is controlled by the Al-Shabab, a group that is loosely affiliated with Al-Qaeda and has been on the State Department's terrorist group list since 2008. This means that providing aid to the region in any form is deemed illegal under the current U.S. sanction laws.

Al Shabab members in Somalia

       U.S. Press Secretary Jay Carney released in a statement today that aid organizations would not be prosecuted for providing aid to the region. This way assistance can be provided to those that need it most; the children and people of Somalia who have to suffer under the control of this oppressive, power hungry and violent organization while simultaneously experiencing the worst drought in 60 years. Jay Carney said the number one priority is to save lives and to reach these impoverished people before it's too late. Millions of lives are at stake, and the Obama administration does not want to ignore another African crisis as has happened in the past with places like Rwanda and the Congo.

Somalian citizens starve as aid is blocked by Al-Shabab

       USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) and the State Department have been authorized to provide grants to non-profit humanitarian organizations, and have eased the licensing for groups that wish to help in the crisis. State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said in a statement "To send a strong message publicly to these [aid] groups that are working in the region that it is okay for them to bring this kind of humanitarian assistance into areas that are controlled by al-Shabab, they won't be held accountable to U.S. laws that previously constrained them, and also to ease some of the licensing requirements on them". It is said up to 12 million people are currently at risk for starvation.
       The most grievous part of this situation is that the famine isn't the only thing killing Somalia's people; Al-Shabab has helped add to the number of casualties. It has ran out international organizations that have helped provide aid and relief to the poverty stricken country since 2010. Al-Shabab has waged a seemingly endless war against the Somali government and U.S. peacekeeping operations, making it difficult for resources to reach Southern Somalians. The United Nations has officially declared the Southern Somalia region a famine, with child malnutrition up to 55% and infants dieing every day.

      These harsh conditions have been affecting this region for over a year now, but the U.N. didn't declare the area worthy of a famine condition status until late this July. This resulted in almost half of the requested aid to the area to be denied by the international organization. To make matters worse, the Al-Shabab have been preventing any humanitarian assistance and have held citizens hostage to their whims. Military intervention has been proposed, but that doesn't seem likely to happen because of failed attempts in the past by the U.N. to stifle violence in the country.

      Collective action is needed, and it is needed now. Somalia has been a country that has been haunted by terrorism, corrupt, ineffectual governance, and armed conflict since it's founding. It is one of the most dangerous places on the face of the earth, and it only seems to be getting worse. The instability of this nation has affected neighboring nations, as refugees flood bordering states to escape the armed conflict that has been perpetuated by rogue terrorist organizations that seek to gain power over the state through fear and intimidation. Inaction is tragedy's oldest friend. The international community must do all they can to save as many lives as they can, as soon as they can.

To donate to the relief effort, click on the link below

http://www.humanconcern.org/urgent_Somalia_Crisis.php