October 21, 2010

Executive Summary: Humanitarian needs unmet as counter-terrorism focus limits response

In 2009 Somalia, described in the Humanitarian Response Index 2008 as “possibly the world’s most extreme failed state”, faced its worst humanitarian crisis in years. This past year the number of people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance increased an additional 13%. In the southern and central parts of Somalia, ongoing conflicts severely limit humanitarian access and response. Political considerations and the so-called War on Terror have had undeniable impacts on the neutrality of donors and the independence of humanitarian action.

According to the Humanitarian Response Index (HRI) 2010 mission, donor decisions in Somalia are shaped or affected by non-humanitarian interests. Main donors hesitate to support any activities in areas controlled by Islamist groups, like Al-Shabaab, and continue to support the Transitional Federation Government (TFG), a party to the conflict, without ensuring the minimum accountability. This has had serious consequences on humanitarian organizations, with severe restrictions on access to populations in need.

Donor funding dropped in comparison to previous years and decisions prioritized life-saving activities over long-term needs. The response continues to be insufficient and ineffective in most sectors and often provided too late and based on inaccurate data.