Current issues Somali Puntland Government Site Urgent Appeal
Thursday, 26-Jun 2008
Since 1991 Somalia has lacked effective central government, particularly the southern regions of the country have remained in active conflicts for nearly the last two decades which have been all time high.
The present violence has spilt over massively to Puntland due to geographical proximity and the Puntland’s open policy welcoming all Somalis to its territory. The outcome of all these have created more internally displaced people fluxed into Puntland that has put extra strain on the already fragile socio-economic and security issues of Puntland.
The Ethiopian refugees influx added salt to the wound by overruning the already weak sources and depleted by all means. The land locked Ethiopian refugees find Puntland as the best option to escape from the country’s internal wars and hardships for lives whose intention is to cross the Gulf Aden through illegal human tracking. The persistent and long period of droughts together with the severe food shortage have resulted this current looming disaster to the weak security system, displacements, destruction of the factors of production, social services and even eroding the social fabric. The unprecedented current food crisis, inflation, counterfeit money and unemployment have forced thousands of families to go without a single meal for a day. For instance, From the current estimations, 96% of the families are headed by women who used to provide their families from small businesses like milk, meet, vegetables, fruits, Mira and charcoals are now out of business because of the never ever experienced rate of inflation and livelihood crisis. Thus, thousands of families are now rendered to roam around in the towns for the search of food and other basics of live. The worst hit households are mostly the single mother’s headed families who have been left in the gaze of hunger after their buying capacity and source of income have been eroded. Please look at this conservative mini market survey conducted by the ministry of women development and family affairs of Puntland, showing the present food scenario: Price of basic Food Kilograms/liters June 2007 June 2008 1. Flour 50 kg So.Sh 280,000 1,800,000 2. Rice 50 kg So. Sh 280,000 1,820,000 3. Cooking oil 3 ltr So. Sh. 40,000 240.000 4. Sorghum 50 kg So. Sh. 160,000 900,000 5. Spaghetti 10 kg So. Sh. 100,000 500,000 6. Sugar 50 kg So. Sh. 360,000 1,000,000
This livelihood crisis in the country put the ministry of women development and family affairs (MOWDAFA) under extreme pressure from the mothers and children looking for search of support. Everyday number of mothers and children knocking at MOWDAFA’s doors for help are estimated 100 up to 150 people.
The magnitude of women and children’s suffering can be perceived their high numbers ravaging in refugee camps in the neighboring countries, IDP camps mushroomed in the urban centers through the Puntland towns and the unprecedented current beggars roaming in the streets.
As part of the ministry of women development and family affairs (MOWDAFA in short) plans in the 2008 which was to expand its scope and reach to the women in the rural areas by providing development projects but the current situation has diverted the ministry’s attention from the development to emergency interventions. On behalf of MOWDAFA, I would like to take this opportunity and request the distinguished guests from UN to join us in this holistic initiative of emergency intervention by providing the necessary financial and technical support in order to reduce the prevailing hunger. Our target people for these initiatives are: single mothers headed households, IDPs, pastoral people who lost their livestock livelihoods, bankrupt small business owners particularly women, orphans, uncared handicaps and elderly and youth from poor families. For spirit, MOWDAFA brings the following actions to the respectful members of the delegates: 1. Recognize the huge burden and responsibilities bestowed on Ministry of women and family affairs of Puntland, 2. Part of the planned development projects for Puntland should be diverted to this emergency situation, 3. Create Jobs, install skills and provide credit to the young pastoral male who are busy the sea pirates this will help both decrease insecurity and supporting their families as well. 4. UN are requested to initiate and take part fundraising activities to support livelihoods of the vulnerable families and create micro-finance programs for supporting to recur women in their small businesses, 5. Establish family support system (provide food coupons) to the needy families in Puntland. 6. Speed up the release of the on hold funds for this year project to avoid unnecessary delays to the next year’s projects. We expect your prompt positive responses/reaction towards this call Thanks for your sacrifice, invaluable time and attention given to the Ministry of women development and family affairs of Puntland.
Asha Gelle Dirie Mowdafa Minister
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