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Regional Humanitarian Leadership for Somalia
Picture courtesy of Joy Portella/Mercy Corps
With famine already declared in southern Somalia many tens of thousands could die in the next months unless funding gaps are filled. Many countries in the region have yet to make contributions and must be encouraged to give urgently. In previous humanitarian crises, generous commitments from individuals and Governments have made a critical difference to the life-saving response and we hope to see the same generosity in the response to this crisis. This is particularly so in Ramadan.
Much of the response has been driven by the actors from outside the region. Yet, Organisations like the League of Arab States and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation have the potential to lead humanitarian thinking. Regional and neighbouring humanitarian actors need to take a leading role.
It is vital that humanitarian agencies have full access to those in need close to their home communities, free of unnecessary restrictions on funds or access on the ground. At the moment, some countries and actors have restricted how money can be raised, transferred and spent. All parties in Somalia and elsewhere need to enable aid to reach those in need.
The current crisis demands an immediate humanitarian response as well as efforts that look to the future and address the issues that make people vulnerable in the first place. Governments, donors and relief agencies need to invest more in helping people cope with a changing climate, rocketing price rises, and other shocks in the long-term. There also needs to be urgent collaborative global action to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Local civil society is the first line of defence in any emergency, but is often under-resourced and overlooked when larger actors join aid delivery. Donors need to invest in local organizations, both in responding to the current famine and in preparing for the future.
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