Somalia

Understand the causes of conflict and violent extremism in tribal Muslim societies and learn how to develop policies and programs in conflict resolution, governance, justice, security, and development that contribute to sustainable peace.

Civilian health, health care workers, and health facilities disproportionately suffer in countries experiencing severe instability, but global health donors have yet to make developing health systems in such states a priority. Doing so could both make populations healthier and contribute to state legitimacy.

USIP leaders explain the effect that events around the world and here at home will have on the U.S., and the contributions the Institute can and does make during a time of tremendous challenge – and opportunity.

Over the past two years Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), Eric P. Schwartz has led the State Department’s principal humanitarian bureau.  At this event, Assistant Secretary Schwartz will discuss the international humanitarian challenges confronting the United States and the U.S. interest in a coherent and effective response.

In tackling complex humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere, the U.S. government will “proceed on two fronts—building our national capacities while strengthening the multilateral system of humanitarian response,” Eric P. Schwartz, the assistant secretary of state for population, refugees, and migration told an audience at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on September 28.

Somalia is currently experiencing the worst drought and famine in over half a century. Half of the population (close to four million people) is dependent on food aid, while tens of thousands are estimated to have died since the drought began this past summer.

In spite of the compelling challenges associated with building legitimate governments, health systems development in post-conflict and fragile states has experienced important successes. The conference reviewed the last decade in health programming in post-conflict and fragile states, as well as addressed key questions about the intersection of health in "fragile states" and development, national security policy, and considered a way forward.

Somalia's Transitional Federal Government is struggling to assert its authority in a country plagued by lawlessness and a ruthless insurgency waged by a rebel group affiliated with al Qaeda. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed is a Somali American who is serving as prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government. In a presentation at the U.S. Institute of Peace he described the steps his government is taking to stabilize Somalia.