somalia

August 16, 2011

Infographic: Somalia Famine Update

Via Alertnet, originally from Reuters.

Read more →
August 5, 2011

Horn of Africa Narrative Roundup for Week of August 5, 2011

This linkjournal may be further updated during the day Friday. The Narrative: the famine in the Horn of Africa is horrific. It affects millions, tens of thousands have already died, and it is possible hundreds of thousands will die before it ends. Spreading drought means the famine is spreading and likely will not end anytime soon. There is not enough money to provide all of the relief needed for the starving. Even if there were, there are still substantial difficulties in getting relief supplies to those who need it most. Refugee camps are strained to the point of conflict. Much [...]

Read more →
July 31, 2011

Regional Political Wrapup for Mid-Year 2011

In this post we cover some of the pivotal events of the month which impact the task of missions. For each region we will provide a brief summation as well as some scenarios or forecasts for the short-term future of these regions. The scenarios are typically numbered A to D, with A and B “most probable” and C and D being “less probable” or “least probable”. In some instances there is only a Scenario A as nothing else seems remotely probable at the moment. [private] Africa North Africa. Libya. Much talk, but no immediate end to the civil war is [...]

Read more →
July 25, 2011

Al Shabaab in the Horn of Africa: Famine? What Famine?

The UN declared a famine in Somalia. This is not a declaration to be taken lightly: the word “famine” is a technically defined term which is only supposed to be used under specific conditions (sort of like shouting “fire” in a theater). The Islamic fundamentalist group Al Shabaab, which controls much of Somalia, said the UN’s declaration was politically motivated, and it wouldn’t permit Western and “Christian” aid groups to enter. The central government condemned the militants’ famine denial but to no avail. What this means: some 2.2 million people are beyond the reach of aid. The UN has said [...]

Read more →
July 22, 2011

Somalia makes itself difficult to bless

Several news sources are reporting that Somali militants intend to block aid to famine-stricken areas. Al-Shabaab alleges that claims of famine are being exaggerated for “political reasons,” and will not allow any new foreign agencies to work in its strongholds. “Famine,” on the other hand, is a defined term used only when specific conditions are met: malnutrition rates in excess of 30%, more than 2 deaths per 10,000 daily, and severe lack of food access. The UN reports that the death rate of starving Somalis reaching refugee camps outside the borders of Somalia is climbing. Those relief groups that do go [...]

Read more →
July 13, 2011

Who Is Blessing Somalis

Curated links of what is being done by NGOs and Christians around Somalia World Vision is continuing (and expanding?) their long-term work in the region. NGO members of Interaction are involved. See this long list of aid agencies.

Read more →
July 13, 2011

Bless Somalis–NOW

This is the time. Somalia is dying. Over 10 million people in the Horn of Africa are facing famine, but the Somalis have it the worst. Many of them are fleeing over the border into Kenya and Ethiopia. Refugee camps are being overwhelmed. It would seem like there is no hope for Somalia. It would seem as though many people are going to die and there is little we can do about it. This is the time for the church to step up to the plate and show the love of Christ for our neighbors. This is the time when [...]

Read more →
July 13, 2011

Status of East Africa: Fall 2011

Note: The Fall 2011 East Africa 2-Hour Panel Discussion, including the presentation and the collected input of the participants, is available for purchase for a nominal fee. Tons of comments on insights from our participants on the trends below. East Africa–from the Horn of Africa south to Mozambique, and west into landlocked states like Rwanda and Burundi—has one of the fastest growing populations of any region: from 28 million people in 1900, it has grown to over a quarter of a million people today and will reach nearly half a billion people by 2025. Over a third of these are [...]

Read more →
July 7, 2011

Linkjournal for Horn of Africa 2011 Famine Disaster

The bottom line: this is bad, the worst in 60 years. It will likely destabilize Somalia, but it’s hard for that country to get any more unstable than it already is. The biggest challenge is that a whole ton of refugees are going to leave Somalia and head for other countries over the border. Most of those countries don’t have the resources to easily handle the refugees. Somali fundamentalists don’t want those people leaving, so they might block them. They often block aid groups, too. And it might be possible for fundamentalists and terrorists to move over the borders with [...]

Read more →
July 4, 2011

Somalia: We Will Liberate the Entire Nation, Says President Sharif Sheikh

allAfrica.com: Somalia: We Will Liberate the Entire Nation, Says President Sharif Sheikh. This article and its interview with Somalia’s President claims that with AU peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi on the ground, peace is returning to Somalia. Tell that to the soccer players.

Read more →
June 14, 2010

Child Soldiers in Somalia

http://nyti.ms/92zSuY – a 12-year-old “is shouldering an…assault rifle, and working for a military that is substantially armed and financed by the United States.” Good look into the facts of child soldiers.

Read more →
May 14, 2010

New Somali Martyr

http://bit.ly/cG9xrc – Somali militants murder Christian father of 3. At least 15 Christians were murdered by militants in 2009.

Read more →
April 17, 2010

Rising Somalia Prostitution

Noticing an increase in searches to JustinLong.org on Somali prostitution, I began digging around. The UN last year reported a widespread rise in rape and prostitution in Somalia with the increasing chaos. This year, increasing piracy is disrupting the local fishing economy and introducing drugs, alcohol and prostitution. Human Rights Examiner likewise reported human trafficking is on the rise.

Read more →
April 15, 2010

Somali group bans Christian bells

An Islamist group has banned bells at the end of classes, saying they are Christian (BBC). They also banned music (WSJ).

Read more →
March 29, 2010

Somalia: prostitution + HIV + truckers

SOMALIA: High-risk truckers still unaware of HIV (IRIN).

Read more →
March 29, 2010

Somalia: new martyr

Somali Militants Kill Pastor, Crack Down on ‘Non-Muslim’ Culture. Militants track down an underground church leader and kill him. In Crosswalk.com.

Read more →
March 11, 2010

Structures of Sin: Somalia Corruption

Up to half of food aid intended for Somalia is diverted to corrupt contractors, radical Islamic militants and local UN workers, according to a Security Council report (WSJ).

Read more →