Effect of Peace and War on Foreign Aid in Somalia (Essay Sample)

Effect of Peace and War on Foreign Aid in Somalia
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Effect of Peace and War on Foreign Aid in Somalia
Somalia is located in the horn of Africa, east of Indian Ocean and northeast of Kenya. The Somalia democratic republic, formed in 1969 collapsed in 1991, and the clan based rebel groups took over. Since then, the warlike situation in Somalia has persisted. In 2007, the Ethiopian army defeated the islamist government, but the situation worsen again following the re-emergence of al-shabaab, a terror attack group supported by al-Qaida. Although the federal government was formed in 2012, the condition in Somalia is still worse. Due to this , international aid organizations such as United Nations (UN), United nations Development program (UNDP), United nation Children’s Funds(UNICEF) , United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Food Programme (WFP) have intervened to facilitate aid, in form of food, clothes, shelter and other basics necessities to victimized citizens. They also advocate for human rights, improving water and sanitation, providing material healthcare and improving educational system. Also, they support the federal government of Somalia financially, to carry out its crucial operations in the country. The distribution of aid in Somalia is successful in some parts, due to prevailing peace resulting from struggle by AMISOM army countering the operations of terror group. In some parts, for instance the southern region, attacks by al-shabaab have threatened the aid distribution program.
Peace affects the operations of foreign aid agencies positively. The peaceful parts of Somalia are in full control of the Federal Government of Somalia. In such regions, foreign aid agencies carry out their operations freely with neither fear nor intimidation. The movements of food aid and other necessities are steady and reach to the targeted casualties in time. Since 2010, most of the international bodies facilitating aid to Somalia have been based in Nairobi due to fear of attacks by al-shabaab. Because of the prevailing peace in some parts, the federal government is pressurizing the agencies to relocate from Nairobi to Mogadishu (Balita, 2010). Relocation of these agencies will enable quick response of emergencies and faster distribution of basic needs to the casualties. Also, relocation is associated with provision of employment to the citizens of Somalia hence get means of generating income to support their own financial welfare.
War in southern part of Somalia has hindered the operation of international aid agencies. The biggest threat faced by the aid agencies is insecurity threats from al-shabaab. There are several cases of attacks of humanitarian workers by the terror group (WFP). The al-shabaab forcefully loot aid from humanitarian workers and carjack their vehicles. Distribution of food aid through Indian Ocean by ships has faced challenges from pirates who are part the terror group. High percentage of piracy was recorded in the past years, whereby ships were looted. Abduction of the humanitarian workers is another tool applied by al-shabaab to demand for money from aid agencies. The foreign aid agencies have issued warning severally of withdrawing from unsecured parts of Somalia. Such verdict will worsen the state of the citizens inhabiting the place as they will not access food, healthcare services and other human basic necessities.
The leadership of Somalia has utilized the foreign aid to fully establish crucial organs in the government. The federal government has successfully formed executive, parliament and the judiciary, which are the most important harms of government in any particular country. The first achievement of federal government, through the financial aid by international agencies was the formation of constitution which was passed on June 23, 2012. Due to this, there is enforcement of law against any crime and protection of human rights. The government of Somalia has used the funds given by international agencies to set in place its ministries such as healthcare, education, security, international relation, finances and others. The ministry of security, working in collaboration with other international security bodies such as AMISOM army has managed to unfold the terror plans and counter their operations. The established health sector has helped to reduce the disease attacks and alleviated high mortality rate which were associated with lack of access of health care service due to the insecurity. Somali economy is one of the poorest in the world due to civil conflicts. Currently, the economy has gained an upward curve due to the establishment of economic sector, responsible for setting and implementing economic policies such as protection of common people’s properties. According to De Soto "Without a legal property system, efforts to create sustainable market economy are doomed to fail”, (2009).
Nevertheless, the exte...