The article is Situation Report Number 11, which focuses on the condition of various social sectors in Somalia as at 30th august 2011, and is written by OCHA Somalia and other humanitarian partners. The report was done and delivered in a conference in New York. It is titled: Somalia: Famine and Drought. Somalia is particularly problematic judging from all socio-economic sectors as explained by the report. The source of the article is the OCHA website: www.unocha.org
Summary of the Article
Summarily, the article addresses the condition of Somalia with regard to the migrations of people due to internal displacements and refugee departures. The main points of this article are such things as the food security situation, nutrition, health, education, security as well as the overall protection of the citizenry. Accordingly, the article notes that the number of people leaving their homes for Mogadishu had reduced significantly between July and August from 28000 to 5000. This marked a reduction of 800 people a day, from 1000 to 200. Similarly, the article does not fail to mention the actuality that the numbers of refugees flowing into the neighboring countries, Kenya and Ethiopia have reduced significantly from 1500 to 1000 and 1200 respectively. It is as well observable that according to the article, such significant reduction is due to the efforts of the Somali Diaspora.
The details of the main points are given on various pages of the situational report. The second page of the articles looks into the aspect of food assistance. The article notes that of the 3.7 million people in need of food 2.2 people live in the southern part. Humanitarian groups have swung into action helping 1.7 million people which represents 48% of the needy population. The world food program intends to reach out to more than 900000 people before the end of the year. The primary constraints listed by the article are things relating to the activities of the militia group Al Shabaab. The insecurity posed by this terrorist group has constrained the access to the Southern and the central region. The second page still focuses on nutrition. The primary findings indicate that there is a 15% increase in the number of people suffering malnutrition. This is marked by a rise from 390000 to 450000. 75% of the malnutrition cases are found in the southern region.
In response to the nutrition case, UNICEF has established 800 feeding centers across the country. Such efforts have as well been supported by the Somali Red Crescent organization and the international Red Cross organization. Still on the second and the third pages, the matter of health is addressed in detail. 2.6 million People need access to primary and secondary healthcare. Disease prevalence is high with Acute Water Diarrhea being the most prominent. Cholera is as well a serious disease. In response, large national anti-cholera and measles vaccination campaigns are on. Other issues such as water, sanitation, hygiene, security and hygiene are addressed on page three and four. The most common thing among all the discussed problems is the actuality that lack of access by humanitarian groups is the major constraint; otherwise, Somalia could have been a normal socially developed country.
Critical Review, Strengths and Weaknesses of the Article
In reviewing this article, it would be prudent to focus on the pros and cons as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the content, and approach taken by the writers of the report, OCHA 2011. Clearly, the report is well detailed and covers the most critical issues relating to the social problems surrounding Somalia. For instance, the article seeks to explain why the situation in Somalia is as it is and why the humanitarian efforts have not been in a position to remedy the same. The article is up to date as it addresses most recent problems. For instance, the Al Shabaab issue (OCHA 2) is a present menace in the country. Another strong point about the article is that it explains the improvements in the situation as at now. For instance, it explains how people have been able to retain their homes be as evidenced by a reduction in migration rate (OCHA pg 1 and Somalia: Humanitarian Dashboard report pg 1).
Apparently, the article exhibits some weaknesses in the approach it takes. Worth mentioning, for instance, is the reality that the article does not say the origin of the problems it seeks to bring out. Similarly, the article does not address or prescribed remedies for the security situation that has been made unbearable by the Al Shabaab insurgents. The funding programs explained by various authors do not help and is not allocated to the security agencies that can help reduce the situation. The funding has however helped the people through catering for the low food production, nutrition and health (
Information learnt from the article
Apparently, it is clear that the security situation is a matter of global concern presently. With the AMISOM and UN troops deployed to the country, the situation is slowly but surely improving. Of particular concern are the social conditions of the people of Somali. For a long time now, people have been moving away from their homes in search of social security and access to primary amenities. Similarly, people are moving away from their homes, especially in the south to Mogadishu in search of homely conditions. This has been greatly attributed to the state of insecurity occasioned by the militia group known as Al Shabaab. The Islamist youth group has constantly slowed down development in the region, especially the central region and the southern region. I have learnt that the state of insecurity caused by the activities of the terrorist group is the main hindrance to social development.
