Dare humanitarian Aid with climate change dilemma looms across Somalia
The Somali Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture
(SOMESHA) concerns the current Food security crisis exist across
Somalia though the humanitarian situation remains fragile and gains
could reverse without continued humanitarian assistance.
The production and export of charcoal represent a colossal loss of the
country’s forests. The environment in Somalia has already been
severely degraded due to conflict and unsustainable use of natural
resources. The ecosystems and livelihoods of the people have been
heavily impacted due to floods, famine, droughts, and climate change.
Moreover, water depletion is a permanent crisis in many areas. Illegal
harvesting of marine resources by foreign vessels and wildlife
exploitation are of major concern.
The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
reported
that an additional 1.7 million people who emerged from crisis in the
past year are in a stressed food security situation and at risk of
falling back into crisis without continued support to meet basic needs
and enhance their livelihoods.
Most parts of Somalia are classified as stressed or of phase two of
food in security, which means that at least one in five households can
meet minimum food needs, but are unable to cover some essential
non-food needs and have reduced ability to invest in livelihoods.
Although, the United Nations declared a famine in the most regions of
southern Somalia on July 20, 2012. A tear humanitarian crisis that has
been deteriorating for months into the spotlight. There are many
causes exacerbating the impact of this famine: endemic poverty,
decades of violence, the lack of a viable governance structure, and
poor land use practices. While responses should take these
elements
into account, they must also consider another factor to ensure
Somalia's long-term food security: the potential of climate change to
exacerbate existing problems and aggravate future crises.
Climate change is notoriously unpredictable, and the extent to which
it can be blamed for Somalia's current woes is uncertain. Internal
violence has wreaked havoc on the livelihoods of Somalis by making
land ownership tenuous, cutting off access to markets, and causing the
country's feeble infrastructure to fall into disrepair. An increase in
population growth by 3.2 percent each year also has placed additional
strain on land, leading to more conflict and environmental degradation
in a society heavily dependent on natural resources.
In order to ensure Somalia's future food security, a shift must take
place to acknowledge the impact that climate change will have on
agriculture and livestock. The exact impact
that climate change will
have is uncertain given the available information.
There is no adequate awareness growing among Somalis themselves about
climate change and communities across the country have noticed marked
changes in temperature and rainfalls, although most attribute it to
divine retribution for the failings of humankind.
It seems likely that the leaders of Somalia do not have the scientific
background needed to appreciate the seriousness and nature of climate
change as it bears on the future of Somalia.
Education and training programs can broaden this awareness and give
Somalis the tools to adapt to the consequences of climate change
although Somalia lacks the institutions and government structure
needed to protect its population against increased food insecurity.
UN agencies such as WFP, UNDP, IOM, FSNAU, UNHCR and FAO have stepped
in to fill the vacuum, but their operations have been
limited and they
did nothing sufficient action towards social transformation and
climate change awareness. Even though, they did not trained any single
journalist across Somalia on climate change coverage and knowledge in
general.
Many thanks,
Rahmo Isack
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For more information please don’t hesitate to contact us;
Somali Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (SOMESHA)
Km4 Area, Tahlil-warsame Building,
Hodon district,
Mogadishu-Somalia
Tel: +252-1-5531-800 /
+2525-989886Email:
somes...@yahoo.comWebsite:
www.somesha.wordpress.com=============================================
SOMESHA, is a member of the International Federation of Environmental
Journalists (IFEJ), Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for
Disaster Reduction United
Religions Initiative (URI) and the African
Federation of Environmental Journalists (AFEJ)
