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The ICRC in Somalia
29-10-2010 Overview
In Somalia the ICRC provides emergency aid to people directly affected by armed conflict, often compounded by natural disasters, and runs extensive first-aid, medical and basic health-care programmes. It promotes respect for international humanitarian law and carries out agriculture and water projects to improve economic security and living conditions.
The ICRC has been working in Somalia since 1977 when it responded to the crisis that arose from the war between Ethiopia and Somalia. Since 1982 it has maintained a presence in Somalia, basing its delegation in Nairobi since 1994.
Somalia – one of the ICRC's largest operations – remains in the grip of a full-blown humanitarian crisis. Fighting between government forces backed by African Union troops (AMISOM) and opposition groups, and among the groups themselves, is dragging on, raising concerns about the population's security to new levels. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have been displaced and millions continue to depend on humanitarian assistance. The most recent escalation and spread of armed conflict have increased demand for the treatment of weapon-wounded and others affected by trauma.
The situation is exacerbated by recurrent severe droughts (and flooding during the rainy season) that have resulted in poor harvests and loss of livestock. Matters are made worse by high food and fuel costs, the weak Somali shilling, unemployment and the international financial crisis, resulting in fewer remittances from Somalis working abroad. Many are facing destitution.
Against this background the ICRC has stepped up its relief operations, concentrating its operational presence where armed clashes are recurrent and essential services are non-existent, though in some conflict areas working conditions are very difficult due to security concerns.
Key roles are helping internally displaced people to set up makeshift homes, delivering relief goods and food rations to the most needy, providing health care and carrying out small-scale water, agricultural and cash-for-work projects designed to restore or improve livelihoods and improve economic security in communities weakened by crises.
The ICRC works closely with and provides substantial support to the Somali Red Crescent Society, the ICRC’s main operational partner. Together the two organizations distribute relief goods and help to reunite families separated by conflict or natural disaster by using the Red Cross message system, its family links website and radio broadcasts.
To ensure those wounded by weapons receive appropriate medical care, the ICRC supports two surgical referral hospitals in Mogadishu, as well as other medical facilities within and outside the capital. The organization also supports 36 SRCS primary health care and mother-and-child clinics serving over 500,000 people countrywide.
While security constraints and other factors make it difficult for the ICRC to make formal international humanitarian law (IHL) presentations to the armed forces and other weapon bearers, the ICRC and Somali Red Crescent run campaigns on radio to promote humanitarian principles, taken from the traditional Somali biri ma gedo ("spared from the spear"), stressing the need to protect and respect civilians, wounded and captured fighters, and medical staff and infrastructure.
The ICRC also coordinates the activities of all Movement partners, maintaining close contact with aid organizations in the field and attending meetings of Nairobi-based Somalia coordination bodies comprising donors, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
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