US Intervention in Somalia Compounds Dire Humanitarian Crisis

[EFerrari]

Posted by: The Editors, July 29, 2011 at 11:15 AM
By Adotei Akwei, Managing Director of Research and Advocacy

Slowly but surely, the U.S. intervention in Somalia has reverted to a military-security focus, abandoning the Somali people to a dreadful fate.

Back in February 2010, reports indicated that Washington was imposing “impossible” conditions on aid deliveries for Somalia and holding up tens of millions of dollars of desperately needed food based on accusations that it would be diverted to terrorists. However, according to the UN official in charge of humanitarian efforts in Somalia, the accusations of aid diversions to terrorists were “ungrounded.’

And a few month later in June, even after reports of the Somali government employing children as young as thirteen in the military, the United States authorized arms sales to Somalia for some 40 tons of arms and ammunition.

Unfortunately, the “new U.S. policy on Somalia” doesn’t stop with weapons sales to a corrupt government and the withholding of aid to starving people.

http://blog.amnestyusa.org/waronterror/us-intervention-in-somalia-compounds-dire-humanitarian-crisis/

This is our War #6

[Lasher]

1. Questionable article.

Although this article is vague about the "UN official in charge of humanitarian efforts in Somalia", it's probably the United Nations World Food Programme chief for that area.

Up to half the food aid intended for the millions of hungry people in Somalia is being diverted to corrupt contractors, radical Islamic militants and local U.N. workers, according to a U.N. Security Council report. With the WFP under suspicion for complicity in food diversion, their official in charge can hardly be believed when he says it does not occur.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-03-10-somalia-aid_N.htm

[EFerrari]

2. Well, I suppose given the contradictory reports, you need to choose

who to believe but what we know for sure is that the famine is real.

The thing about Somalia is that it's too dangerous to send in investigators. It's reallly, really, really bad. And into that situation, we're sending tons of weapons.

shrug:

[Lasher]

3. Yes, I'm certain the famine is real.

My impression is, it's as near to anarchy as you can get and still call it a country.

[sabrina 1]

4. Too bad Bush helped destabalize the moderate

Islamic Govt leaving the most radical groups free to take over. We think we can solve everything by doing things our way. And using drones to kill even more people, doesn't do much for peace anywhere.

The world so badly needs some intelligent, thoughful people to take over from those now in charge. They have caused more than enough destruction and terror and suffering to last several lifetimes, and then we point fingers at others who share our belief that violence is the only way.

[Lorien]

5. Who the f*ck is unreccing this?

Racist asshats.

[azul]

6. Sick and shameful, can we stop it?

When millions of poor people die of starvation while rich people build armies, with the last of the natural resources to protect themselves, humanity is regressing to beastliness.

The media narrative makes it seem plausible that we should welcome becoming selfish and violent rat-people in an overpopulated cage. That this is now a rat race with winners and losers, that a conscience is problematic.

How do we snap out of it and become humane human beings? Can we snap out of it, or is it too late?