Starvation

The horn of Africa is experiencing its first famine in three decades, affecting nearly 12 million people in the region. In Somalia alone, nearly 3.5 million people are at risk of starvation or hunger-related death, which is nearly half of the country’s population. The hardest hit populations are those in al-Shabaab controlled territory because the organization, in one of its so-called moral edicts, banned aid agencies over a year ago, and has actively tried preventing IDPs from moving in search of aid. But al-Shabaab is no monolith, and this crisis has shown that more clearly than ever.

In early July al-Shabaab put out a statement allowing all Muslim and non-Muslim aid organizations into its territory. By all accounts, there was dispute at the top over this decision and a few days later, the organization retracted, stating that only aid organizations that were not previously banned are allowed in. This means some of the biggest organizations that have experience in somalia, including WFP, Care, Oxfam and Mercy Corp, are not allowed in al-Shabaab areas.

I just wonder if al-Shabaab is blind to the crisis in its region, since it continues to get funding from outside extremist donors, or whether it thinks the unprecedented suffering and death toll is not an issue. Whatever the reason, its a tragedy compounded by terrible leadership, and I just hope the more moderate al-Shabaab officials will win out in this internal dispute and allow in more life saving assistance. Ironically, some analysts say by letting in more aid, al-Shabaab will be better placed to maintain control in its territories. I don't know if I buy this theory, but regardless, shabaab isn't known for its long term strategizing.

Kenyan Govt

Apart from al-Shabaab, one of the most shameful actors in this entire tragedy is the Kenyan government, which is refusing to open Ifo two, an extension to a refugee camp in Dadaab. The government claims it is a security threat to open the camp and allow more Somalis to settle in Kenya. But the reality is the government is playing politics, and forcing tens of thousands of starving, weak people out in insecure tents, vulnerable to rapists, bandits and the elements, when a solid camp made for 40,000 refugees sits empty. Kenya is also erecting bureaucratic barriers to getting relief aid into somalia which in recent days has resulted in the turning back of needed assistance at the border.

There is no excuse for this. Its pure politics and is a clear reminder that governments can and do exacerbate suffering during famine.

Media

So once again, starving, emaciated Somalis are all over the media.  This was late in coming since the Rupert Murdoch phone tapping and Norway attack have dominated the media. But today's front cover of the New York Times is a four-column wide image of an emaciated young Somali boy. His entire skeletal outline can be seen through his fragile, thin skin. This image will surely increase interest and hopefully assistance for famine victims. Although I sympathize with the view that showing such tragic, real images of suffering exploits the victims in a way, I also believe such images are unfortunately necessary to get attention to an issue. I just pray the boy in the NYT picture has survived somehow. And I pray that the Somalis, Ethiopians, Kenyans and Eritreans affected by this drought come out of it even stronger than before.