Email 
Print 
Can you develop a place as violent as Somalia?
Written by: Emma Batha
With anarchy reigning in Somalia for 17 years, development projects are not exactly high on donors' to-do lists. Somalia is so dangerous that aid agencies can't even reach many of the people forced to flee fighting between Islamic insurgents, various warlords and allied Somali and Ethiopian troops. Violence in the capital Mogadishu alone killed 6,500 people last year, according to rights groups. Surely, this is not the time to be undertaking major development ventures? Guillermo Bettocchi, the country's U.N. refugee representative, begs to differ. Aside from the raging conflict, Somalia is plagued by floods that cause recurrent humanitarian crises in the Jowhar area. Everyone knows that if a dam were built the problem would be solved, says Bettocchi. Yet because donors view a dam as a development project, they're less than keen to put their hands in their pockets. Bettocchi says donors have been reasonably good about responding to the immediate displacement crisis in Somalia, but he says they should be more ready to invest in medium and long-term projects. Yet, is it really feasible to think about development in a country that is so insecure that aid deliveries need armed escorts? Let us know what you think. (Click here for more on Bettocchi and Somalia.)
Reuters AlertNet is not responsible for the content of external websites.
10 responses to “Can you develop a place as violent as Somalia?”
Please note that comments should not be regarded as the views of Reuters.
Leave a Reply
When you submit a comment to us we request your name, e-mail address and optionally a link to a website. Please note where you submit a website address, we may link to it via your name. By sending us a comment, you accept that we have the right to show the comment and your name to users. Although we require your email address, this will not be published on the site, and is only required to enable us to check facts with you, e.g. if you are making a claim we can not confirm easily. Additionally, if you would like your comment removed at anytime, you'll have to use this e-mail address when you contact us. To remove a comment at any time please e-mail us at blogs-(at)-reuters-(dot)-com (address obscured to avoid spam) specifying who you are and what you would like removed. We moderate all comments and will publish everything that advances the post directly or with relevant tangential information. We reserve the right to edit comments in order to maintain the quality of the comments, and may not include links to irrelevant material. We try not to publish comments that we think are offensive or appear to pass you off as another person, and we will be conservative if comments may be considered libelous. Reuters will use your data in accordance with Reuters privacy policy. Reuters Group is primarily responsible for managing your data. As Reuters is a global company your data will be transferred and available internationally, including in countries which do not have privacy laws but Reuters seeks to comply with its privacy policy.
Unlike some other content on this website, the written content in this article may be republished or redistributed by any means free of charge. Any use of photographs and graphics on this website is expressly prohibited. You must check whether written content contained in other articles on this website may be republished or redistributed without the express permission of Reuters or the relevant third party provider.
31 Jan 2008 12:28:22 GMT
The answer is NO, you can not think of large scale development projects while security is so bad that even the basic aid does not get through.
31 Jan 2008 12:29:08 GMT
Somalia as whole is not a conflict ridden country, there is a safer area where development is needed badly, areas such as Somaliland, Puntland and Maakhir, and these are safe and shouldn't be connected to fighting in South.
I would say one of the biggest weapons to fight against civil war is development, if there is prosperity and employment opportunity for young men then warlords will no doubt loose their biggest support. Thanks04 Feb 2008 12:22:03 GMT
Yes, but wouldn't the warlords then try to sabotage the project because it is taking all their manpower away?
04 Feb 2008 12:35:37 GMT
It's a catch-22 situation, but an initiative like this may just be the impetus needed for some Somalians to realise that there is a future, there is hope and outside agencies genuinely want to help them. Good luck to Mr. Bettochi in achieving his vision to help the Somalians, with government partnership.
06 Feb 2008 17:20:02 GMT
Overwhelming reinvestment could go far in getting buy-in from parties most intent on getting something any which way in environments flowing around scarcity on one hand and the search for authentic Islamic identity on the other.
However, it would be a scary thing gambling on turning pirates into realtors, "Islamists" into temperate souls, and disinterested criminals into good citizens, when it takes so very few of each and similar kind to plant fear so deeply and sustain misery so extensively throughout the society and for so long.07 Feb 2008 10:55:38 GMT
No, Not possible! It has taken years of humanitarian investment on peace, community development and infrastructure in the past 17 years. War lords, community 'elders' and corruption with a goiter of insecurity and greed affecting the smallest village community won't even let a nurse do her vaccination for polio eradication. A corrupt mentality has engulfed the society in general and it's pay me if you are doing favor for my community or leave it attitude. Of course there are many supportive communities but reaching them is like driving through streets of fire. The writer has worked in Somalia for year under insecurity.
07 Feb 2008 16:16:16 GMT
We all know conflict is driven by poverty and vice versa. Development (and thus aid focsuing on development) is a major recipe for change in Somalia. Stakeholders MUST focus on recovery, and longer-term development processes. The poor and vulnerable should not have to pay the price for warriors' errors.
09 Feb 2008 13:20:17 GMT
What is the use if a development project is done and then destroyed in few days time ?
03 Mar 2008 14:59:39 GMT
Nothing Would happen in Somalia for as long as Devil US regime is meddling in. They are Supporting clan Based Government that led aech enemy of Somalia Nation to invade, and Loot the nation. Hospitals were looted by ethiopian christian crusaders with the help of US.
Nothing will be possible for as long as USA exist, but GOd willing Things will change in the better way for Somalis19 Aug 2008 11:08:44 GMT
I visited Somalia ( Hiran region ) in 2003 to see the hardship of the Somali people with my own eyes.I am a Panjabi guy living in London who has a lot of Somali friends. I was recieved by the Awaile tribe with great respect and warmth.I promised myself that through the charity ( Khalsa Aid ) which i set up in 1999 i would do something for the Somali people. The tribal chiefs detest warlords and have the well being of their people at heart.I want to go back and embrace the people who gave me so much love and to offer some assistance in their time of need but the soulless gunrunners who are supplying weapons to the bloodthirsty prevent me from doing so.