Flood victims in Somalia urgently need help

Hassan Isilow

Urgent help is needed to resettle thousands of Somalis who were displaced by massive flash floods in the central town of Beledweyne. According to the Africa Muslims Agency (AMA), five people were killed and hundreds were left homeless. “Our partners in Somalia are already on the ground,” said AMA regional director, Hassan Choonara. “They have given the victims emergency assistance, but we need funds to resettle them back into their homes.” Choonara, who recently returned from the famine-hit country, said his organization had started a repatriation programme where they relocated thousands of Somalis who had earlier fled from their villages to the capital city Mogadishu because of famine. “We have given seeds to the people we repatriated as they returned to their villages, where they can start cultivating their lands in places where the rains have started to fall,” he related, adding that AMA has also started a water catchment programme which will help farmers and households in the country’s most dry areas. Choonara said besides, offering humanitarian assistance, AMA was also supporting the Simad University in Mogadishu which trains thousands of students. “After these students graduate from this university, we sponsor them for their Masters and PhD courses at international universities in Malaysia and other Muslim countries. Alhamdulillah, whenever they complete their studies they return to Somalia and serve their communities,” he said.
Fresh food crisis
Meanwhile, a new survey conducted by Oxfam has revealed that Somalia’s food crisis remains critical and likely to worsen in coming months risking a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Latest estimates from the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) warned that 236,000 children remain acutely malnourished. The aid agency called on the humanitarian community to maintain support for Somalia at what it believes is a “critical moment.” Oxfam also fears that the international community might turn its attention elsewhere because of the many emergencies unfolding around the globe, warning that without sustained aid many more Somalis may fall back into crisis. The report also cited the recent flooding in Beledweyn town, Hiran region that has already affected thousands. Oxfam also added that a long-term support and engagement to tackle the systemic problems which turn recurrent droughts into humanitarian emergencies were essential.
To donate in support of the suffering people of Somalia, contact AMA on (+27)011-834 8685/6, or visit their website for more details at http://www.africamuslimsagency.co.za. Additional reporting obtained from Press TV

Somalis celebrate appointment of New PM

By Hassan Isilow
JOHANESBURG: Hundreds of Somali nationals living in Johannesburg took to the streets of Mayfair on Saturday celebrating the appointment of Abdi Farah Shirdon as their country’s new prime minister. The Somalis closed off a section of Bird Street and 9th Avenue in Mayfair, where they sang liberation songs and danced in anticipation of peace. Somalis all over the world have been optimistic ever since parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country’s new President.
“I believe Shirdon will appoint a good cabinet acceptable to all, which could end the long conflict in our country,” Mowaz Abdirazak told me during the celebrations. “I have a feeling that the war in Somalia is about to end. And the new president and prime minister is the team Somalia has been waiting for. They have a good track record and most people I have spoken to seem to love them. It is a new dawn in Somalia,” one prominent Somali journalist who did not want to be named related.
The celebrations in Johannesburg were attended by Somali nationals from different political camps and they all seemed to agree on one thing, which was to end the conflict. Somalia has experienced a civil war since the over throw of Mohammad Siyad Bare in 1991. South Africa is host to over 80,000 Somalis, majority of whom are refugees dealing in the small business sector.
Somalia’s new Prime Minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon a political newcomer, was appointed on Saturday by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This is the first major decision to be made by a democratically elected President in Somalia after over 20 years of conflict. Leaders of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) which served Somalia for the last eight years never had independent powers to make such decisions. The west was always the major decision makers.
The new Prime minister has vowed to form a “quality” Cabinet which will not tolerate corruption. He said the government he forms will move past the disputes Somali political leaders have engaged in previously. Shirdon studied economics at Somalia National University in the 1970s. He also served as an economist in the ministries of finance and agriculture in the 1980s before relocating to Kenya in 1991.
Abdullah Ali, a Somali analyst living in Cape Town, told me the appointment of the new prime minister would usher in a new chapter in the lives of the Somalis. “The Prime minister is a man of integrity, a man who has a passion in serving the people of Somalia and I believe he will unite all Somalis,” he said. Follow me on twitter @hisilow

S. Africa hosts Somali peace conference

Somali businessmen at the meeting with Deputy Minister Marius Fransman held in Bellville. / photo by Hassan Isilow

CAPETOWN-A major conference aimed at finding solutions to end the 21-year-old civil war in Somalia started on Wednesday in Cape Town. The two day conference has been organised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), in partnership with the Somali Council for Research and Development (SOMCORD) and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD). “Reconciliation, reconstruction and development of Somalia are all critical elements necessary to ensure that durable peace is achieved. The task of responding to this challenge rests on all Somalis, including the Diaspora,” Deputy Minister Marius Fransman said while delivering his keynote address.
He also urged Somalis to stop supporting militant factions, if they want the international community to support them in developing their country. This appeared to make an impact on some of the delegates. “I am impressed by Minister Marius Fransman’s speech and I believe South Africa is determined in helping Somalia achieve peace and stability,” Abdullahi Ali, a delegate at the conference told me afterwards.
Earlier this year, the South African government pledged to assist the war-torn Somalia with capacity building of its civil servants. Speaking to Somali business leaders in March in Bellville-near Cape Town, Fransman revealed that government had allocated R100-million to provide capacity and institution-building to Somali government officials. South Africa also agreed to rekindle diplomatic ties with Somalia which excited the local Somali community.
Ambassador Sayid Sharif Hassan, the current Somali ambassador to South Africa, is also expected address the conference on Wednesday. Other speakers include Dr Sylvester Maphosa of the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) who will deliver a paper Titled: African Solutions to Somali Problems. Addulkadir H. Ali of SOMCORD will present a paper on the historical perspective of war and post war in Somalia, while Vanya Gastrow of the African Centre for Migration and Society will deliver a paper on xenophobia and Integration. At the end of the conference on Thursday delegates will launch the South African Somali Diaspora Forum.
South Africa is home to a large Somali community, which mainly operates in the small scale business sector. During the famine which ravaged Somalia in 2011, the South African government donated R8-million to help starving victims. Somalia has been without an effective government since the ouster of Dictator Mohammed Siyad Barre in 1991. Last week Somalia’s parliament elected academic Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as new president. Many analysts believe if the new president is given support, he will be in position to turn the country around. This article was first published on The Voice of the Cape website and later republished else where. ( Report by Hassan Isilow).

Africa Muslims Agency needs your support

By Hassan Isilow
As the winter season gets colder, Africa Muslims Agency (AMA) is calling on Muslims to contribute R270 for their winter warmth campaign, targeting the underprivileged. According to AMA regional director, Hassan Choonara, their campaign is meant to help those who can not afford to buy winter necessities like blankets.
“Many underprivileged South Africans sleep in the cold during the winter season because they can not afford to buy blankets. So we are appealing to Muslims to contribute generously to this campaign so that we can help these people get warm this winter,” Choonara said, adding that their winter warmth packs includes a blanket, gloves, scarves and earmuffs for four members of a family.
Besides the winter campaign, AMA has also initiated its Ramadan feeding scheme. The humanitarian organization – which supports Islamic works in 34 African countries – also welcomes sponsorships for building mosques across the continent, along with boreholes and water wells in some of Africa’s worst affected areas. In a different project, donors are encouraged to sponsor an Eid gift for an orphan. AMA currently takes care of 10,000 orphans.
Somalia
Choonara, who recently returned from famine-hit Somalia, said his organization had started a repatriation programme where they relocated thousands of Somalis who had earlier fled from their villages to the capital city Mogadishu because of famine. “We have given seeds to the people we repatriated as they returned to their villages where they can start cultivating their lands in places where the rains have started to fall,” he related. Elsewhere, AMA started a water catchment process to help farmers and households in drought stricken regions.
Besides, offering humanitarian assistance, AMA also runs the Simad University in Mogadishu, Somalia, which trains thousands of students. “After these students graduate from this university, we sponsor them for their Masters and PhD courses at international universities in Malaysia and other Muslim countries. Alhamdulillah, whenever they complete their studies they return to Somalia and serve their communities,” Choonara said.
To donate to any of these projects, contact AMA on 011-834 8685/6, or visit their website for more details at http://www.africamuslimsagency.co.za.