Somalia Hit by Worst Drought in 60 Years

The Horn of Africa is experiencing one of its worst droughts in recent history. As a result, Africa is in the midst of its worst hunger crisis in the past 20 years, according to Rozanne Chorlton, UNICEF's Somalian representative.

One of the nations hit hardest by the drought is Somalia, with extreme levels of famine generated from the drought. So dire is the situation in parts of Somalia that the United Nations declared the nation to be in a state of famine. What exactly does a state of famine mean? For the U.N to declare a famine, child malnutrition must be 30 percent or higher with daily deaths of four children per 10,000 people. However, current estimates indicate a far more grave situation. U.N officials estimate that with the current famine, 3.7 million children alone face starvation in Somalia.

While the U.N has called for an additional $300 million to help provide aid to those in need, corruption and stability in Somalia has not only hindered prompt international response to the crisis, but has also served as a precursor to the famine itself. Rashid Abdi, a Somalia analyst at the International Crisis Group states, "This drought did not come out of nowhere, but the Somali government did not do anything to prepare for it. Instead they spent all their time fighting each other."

There is absolutely no doubt that the ongoing 20 year civil war in Somalia has and will continue to hinder the ability for Somalia to achieve progress and stability. Analysts warn that aid agencies could be airlifting emergency supplies to the failed state 20 years from now unless the U.N backed government improves.

The sad reality is that while the competing ruling parties continue to fight one another, millions of innocent citizens have suffered as a result. It is simply the sad reality of the dangers that exist in failed states.

Speaking on the current famine in Somalia, Kenyan native Esther Ngumbi, who recently earned her doctorate in entomology at Auburn University, states, "These faces of hunger are truly a shame to look at in a century where we have plenty. We share one world.... We can all help end this crisis."

I echo Esther's sentiments and really do believe that collectively we can all make a difference in Somalia and elsewhere. However, in order to do so, the competing governments, etc. in such nations must prioritize their agendas, and be truly committed to helping the people of their nation rather than those in power. Too often have we seen foreign aid not delivered directly to those in need, but rather to those least in need. It is simply unacceptable.

In closing, as a final message to the naysayers who say the U.S commits too much of its budget towards foreign assistance, the true fact of the reality is that less than 1% of the U.S budget goes towards foreign aid.