A long term vision for Somalia - Nairobi, 26 September 2011

To read more on the rest of the conference, please read our Press Release. See photos of the meeting on our Flickr stream. Find out more on access in Somalia here and here. Download the full minutes and list of invitees.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and The Humanitarian Forum brought together 120 participants from 70 organisations, representing the UN, Red Cross/Crescent movement, Islamic and western international NGOs and Somali NGOs. In a lively and engaging discussion, the conference created greater understanding about coordination and discussed priorities for moving from relief to development. It brought humanitarian organisations from different cultures closer together and allowed more partnerships to be developed.

Opening comments

The meeting was addressed by Dr. Hany el Bana, Chairman of the Humanitarian Forum; Ambassador Atta El-Manan Bakhit, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Somali Red Crescent Society and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. Emphasis was laid on the need to give encouragement and security to the humanitarian organizations working in Somalia.

Atta al Manane said, "After 20 years of pouring money into Somalia we come again to famine." And, "Can we speak about development while there is a war? Humanitarians can provide the answer." He added that Muslim organisations are doing a huge job in Somalia but they need more capacity, funding, and training - "let us wok on a new vision together".

Rozanne Chorlton, the acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia called for the different participants to "work together to focus on the rights and welfare of the Somali people". She added that the meeting is "extremely important, exactly what needs to happen. Focus on progress through partnership, rather than competition."

Issues discussed

Coordination: Greater understanding of systems; improving systems to suit needs in Somalia. Atta al Manane said "OIC and OCHA are already married".
Priorities for moving from relief to development. Rozanne Chorlton "Recovery is a duty, there has been too much short-termism".
Under-used resources: invest in civil society, local NGOs; involve business (local, Diaspora). As Atta al Manane said, the population is intelligent, but has become dependent.
Shared priorities for the key areas of: water; food and agriculture; livestock and livelihoods. These were developed into plans and partnerships for development were identified.

Dr Ahmed said that Somalia has been trying to tell the world for 2 years about intense needs. "What is new about Somalia is media interest." He bemoaned that most of the refugees are from the food basket of Somalia.

Dr Hany el Banna said "We need to build the capacity of genuine local organisations ... to empower organisations that deserve to be empowered." He also highlighted the role of new, actors from the Gulf, Turkey and Egypt.