danishdemininggroup.dk: Somalia: Working in High-risk Environment and Fragile States

Somalia: Working in High-risk Environment and Fragile States

08.08.11

As the security situation continues to deteriorate in Somalia, humanitarian organizations are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve their desired results. Working conditions for these organizations in Somalia are particularly harsh, even when compared to those in other developing countries. Humanitarian-aid workers must accept these risks as a fundamental requirement of their involvement, and donors must be prepared to take more chances in these environments as well.

Article by Ann Mary Olsen, International Director of the Danish Refugee Council for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action.

Somalia’s humanitarian context is one of the worst in the world. It is a place of extremes for intended beneficiaries and for aid workers. Those who survive the conflict, suffering, vulnerability and indignity have reached their limit. For those who seek to assist, much of Somalia remains difficult to access, a dangerous place to operate and full of dilemmas which challenge humanitarian principles.

The humanitarian community must find a careful balance between the imperative to address humanitarian needs and the perils encountered in Somalia, such as costs and risks in terms of financial resources, the possibility of corruption, security concerns, and the threats to humanitarian principles.

Taking well-accounted risks and achieving results are interlinked in Somalia. Humanitarian agencies can and should work in Somalia, and indeed they have delivered assistance and results in a manner consistent with humanitarian principles. However, a number of critical areas are crucial to consider in order to mitigate risks. Risk management is a prerequisite for operation and achieving the results to assist the people.

Read the rest of the article in The Journal of ERW and Mine Action.

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