Somalia

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Development Challenge The USAID Program Other Program Elements Other Donors Program Data Sheets Summary Tables USAID Search: Somalia Previous Years' Activities 2002, 1999, 1998, 1997 Last updated: 22     THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Since the collapse of the Barre regime in 1991, Somalia has existed in name only, with no central government or public services. Somalia has among the world's highest maternal mortality and infant mortality rates. Most of the population relies upon international agencies to provide basic health, education and water services. The key challenge for USAID and other donors is bringing the various political factions together to reconcile and to create institutions to peacefully manage conflict, share resources and provide essential services. Many Somalis are heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance from international donors. Somalia's Human Development Index indicators are dismal: 47 years for life expectancy; adult literacy rate is 17%; primary school enrollment is 13%. Even as some progress is made towards peace and recovery, more than 700,000 Somalis continue to be precariously vulnerable, especially to drought. Insecurity remains the greatest constraint to providing relief to the most vulnerable. In this context, it is difficult to identify and exploit economic opportunity to provide jobs and incomes that can demonstrate to people that peace is more rewarding than conflict. The repeated formal and informal Saudi Arabian bans on Somali livestock, rampant inflation, lack of infrastructure and partial failure of rains leading to severely limited water supplies and insufficient harvest in some parts of the country all severely and adversely affect the Somali economy. U.S. national interests are clear. Stability and security in the greater Horn of Africa region cannot be achieved without an end to conflict and potential Somali support for terrorism. The U.S. provides an alternative to extremism in Somalia through its humanitarian assistance and support for long-term economic, social and democratic development. THE USAID PROGRAM: FY 2002 Estimate: $ 15.833 million FY 2003 Request: $ 2.900 million The Program Data Sheets provided cover the three objectives approved for Somalia; it should be noted that the third objective is supported primarily by humanitarian and food assistance. The two development assistance funded objectives are improving local governance and mitigating conflict and promoting livelihoods. These two objectives focus on strengthening the governance capacity of communities, civil society organizations and local authorities in stable regions of Somalia (Somaliland and Puntland) and promote economic opportunities by supporting activities such as rehabilitation of urban water facilities and improvement of agriculture infrastructure. The specific activities to be funded by FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriations are described in more detail in the Program Data Sheets. USAID will use all of the FY 2002 funding and the FY 2003 request to fund ongoing programs. OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: USAID addresses Somalia's challenges by targeting development assistance, emergency assistance, and food aid on specific problems. Humanitarian aid resources provided by USAID/Washington are targeted at the strategic objective of meeting the needs of critical groups, the third strategic objective. Humanitarian assistance is devoted to supplementary nutrition programs, re-establishment of infant growth monitoring, rehabilitation of health facilities, provision of essential medicines, immunization programs, rehabilitation of water resources, and the provision of seeds and tools to rural farm families in central and southern Somalia. Food assistance supports internally displaced people and vulnerable families, mainly in four regions of southern Somalia. OTHER DONORS: Somalia receives aid from a number of multilateral and bilateral sources. The U.S. is the second largest donor after the European Union (EU), which provides assistance in rural development, livestock production and marketing, and irrigation infrastructure. The EU also provides food aid through the World Food Program (WFP) and international non-governmental organizations, and support for physical infrastructure rehabilitation, education, and small and medium enterprise and income generation activities. Other major donors include Italy; and the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. France, Britain, Canada, and Belgium are other bilateral donors. Several U.N agencies, particularly United Nations Development Program and United Nations Children's Fund, provide significant assistance. Saudi Arabia has been the main supporter of the Transitional National Government, along with Italy. USAID has provided funds to the United Nations Development Program to support the Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB) Secretariat. The SACB is a coordination group, made up of donors, U.N. agencies, and non-governmental organizations designed to provide a framework for a common approach to the allocation of aid resources in Somalia. There are five main sector committees relating to key areas of rehabilitation and development assistance. Program Data Sheets 654-004  Strengthened Capacity for Local Governance and Conflict Mitigation 654-005  Increased Opportunities for More Productive Livelihoods 654-006  Critical Needs Met for Vulnerable Groups Country Background Information Resources     CIA Factbook Library of Congress National Geographic Country Maps State Dept. Country Information

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