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| Courtesy of Joy Portella/ Mercy Corps |
Dr Hany el Banna, Chairman, The Humanitarian Forum said "today is about tomorrow: about what we need to do for recovery and sustainable development, not just fire-fighting". He added, "the humanitarian family needs to come up with solutions as we know the suffering of the people."
Dr Zakaria Adam Ahmed of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation said that the OIC was pleased to be able to participate with The Humanitarian Forum in the meeting. He discussed recent OIC initiatives for coordination about Somalia.
Mark Bowden, UN Humanitarian Coordinator said that "there has been a lot of progress ... but there is still much complexity and challenge ... Somalia is at the epicentre of a regional crisis". He outlined the humanitarian challenges. He also emphasised that "humanitarian activities should also lead to a better future in development terms".
In a presentation on the humanitarian situation, needs, response to date and gaps, Kiki Gbeho, OCHA, said that drought, food prices (270% in some areas) and conflict have put 3.7m people into crisis in Somalia, many of whom are in the South and are displaced. The situation is desperate for many people, and some have walked for 4 weeks to get to refugee camps. However, "the crisis was predictable but there has been slow recognition of this". Problems are access, food and funding. Also, it is far better to help people in their home areas. "Thank you for bringing us together ... OCHA is hoping that from today we can move forward together."
OCHA also pointed out regional challenges - 12.4m people are in need in the Horn of Africa. Kenyan NGOs also said that in some areas the situation could get as bad as Somalia in 2-3 weeks: "There is an overwhelming need". Many of the issues are cross-border and a regional approach is needed.
A wide-ranging debate focused around 3 key issues:
1. Muslim donors and humanitarian organisations. These have access to different donors, and perhaps better access in different parts of Somalia. The OIC is creating an umbrella group for Muslim INGOs working in Somalia. The participants discussed how the OIC and UN systems could work together better.
2. The participants also emphasised the need to build resilience and think long term. The Islamic Development Bank, through Abdo Mohammed Al Taki, summed up the mood of the meeting, saying that we need to focus on development not just relief. The OIC committed to hold a meeting after Eid to bring the wide range of participants together to define a strategy for recovery.
3. It is also vital to engage the Somali community, including businessmen and the Diaspora, and to build the capacity of civil society. The Somali Relief and Development Forum said that CSOs want to be part of the long-term solution. Local CSOs called for technical assistance, partnership in programmes, funding.
James Shaw-Hamilton, Director of The Humanitarian Forum, said he "hopes that this is the start of an ongoing conversation amongst the wide group of participants. THF hopes to be involved in this again, but we challenge you to continue straight away."
The meeting was very participative, with a mixture of plenary discussions and working groups looking at the needs in different geographical areas, and also at themes.
Notes for editors
The Humanitarian Forum is a global network of key humanitarian and development organizations from Muslim donor and recipient countries, the West and the multilateral system. We improve the effectiveness and efficiency of aid by addressing identified gaps between humanitarian communities through training, dialogue and cooperation, working internationally and in partner countries like Indonesia, Libya and Yemen.
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