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Note: This document may not always reflect the actual appropriations determined by Congress. Final budget allocations for USAID's programs are not determined until after passage of an appropriations bill and preparation of the Operating Year Budget (OYB).

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SOMALIA

	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999
	Actuals	Estimate	Request
Child Survival and Disease..........	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,000,000
Development Assistance..............	$ 2,693,000	$ 2,700,000	$ 1,700,000
P.L. 480 Title II...........................	$ 2,248,020	---	---

Introduction

The United States seeks to avert large scale death and displacement that would result from a new humanitarian crisis and to ensure that continuing instability in Somalia does not spread to other countries in the Horn of Africa. While massive starvation experienced earlier in the decade is being averted, Somalia is faced with new threats caused by horrific flooding and disease. In addition, clan warfare, along with radical Islamic elements, present formidable obstacles to political stability. So Somalia continues to teeter on the edge of dual humanitarian and political crises. Yet grassroots efforts, as well as national reconciliation efforts by the Egyptian and Ethiopian Governments, may lead to peace and stability.

The Development Challenge

Somalia remains a "failed state" and one of the poorest countries on the planet. There has been no government for almost 10 years. It ranks near or at the bottom in terms of life expectancy, per capita income and child mortality. Superimposed on this is the clan factionalism and elements of radical Islam which are constant and unpredictable threats to peace within Somalia and to its neighbors. The country also faces persistent food insecurity because of the fragile environment, vagaries of the weather (both drought and flooding), and insecurity. Food insecurity is also exacerbated by the low purchasing power of most Somalis, who lack employment opportunities. Undernourished children and mothers are particularly susceptible to killer diseases. Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur because of poor immunization coverage. Poor maternal and post-natal care, compounded by the widespread practice of female genital mutilation, result in a high maternal mortality rate. The disruption of water supply and sanitation facilities, due to conflict, drought, and floods, has led to inaccessibility, unreliability and inadequacy of potable water. Civil strife has resulted in substantial population displacement. Nevertheless, in the midst of this morass, there are some bright spots. Indigenous non-government organizations (NGOs) are flourishing in some areas. Building the institutional capacities of these nascent organizations offers some promise for a viable and peaceful Somalia in the years to come.

Other Donors

In the post-United Nations Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM) period, a unique, voluntary donor coalition, the Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB), is functioning. The SACB is comprised of over 150 organizations including donors, United Nations (UN) agencies and international NGOs. The SACB has established sectoral committees to address specific issues such as health and food security in order to ensure an efficient, low cost program for meeting the most basic human needs of Somalis. USAID is the second largest donor after the European Union. Other major donors include the UN, the European Union, Italy, France, and Germany. Total donor assistance to Somalia in 1997 was approximately $73 million.

FY 1999 Program

USAID assistance aims to minimize future crises and keep the country from sliding into chaos. Through a combination of humanitarian and development assistance, USAID will support an early warning and

quick response system for the inevitable crises as well as build up the infrastructure to help prevent some of them. In more secure areas, development and food aid support rehabilitation, such as agricultural activities which could mitigate some of the need for emergency food aid. In less secure areas, disaster and food assistance support shorter term relief and rehabilitation activities targeting the displaced, malnourished and other vulnerable groups. USAID also provides assistance to build the capacity of Somali NGOs so that they can take increased responsibility for their own development. It is hoped that these organizations can contribute to building civil society and in the event of reconciliation, play an important role in moving Somalia forward. The Somalia program is consistent with the Greater Horn of Africa Initiative's goals of food security and crisis prevention/mitigation.

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SOMALIA
FY 1999 PROGRAM SUMMARY
(in thousands of dollars)

USAID Strategic and Special Objectives	Economic Growth & Agriculture	Population & Health	Environment	Democracy	Human Capacity Development	Humanitarian Assistance	TOTALS
S.O. 1 Improved Foundation for Food Crop Production in Target Areas - DA	500	---	500	---	---	---	1,000
S.O. 2 Critical Needs Met for Targeted Vulnerable Groups - CSD - DA	--- 200	1,000 ---	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	1,000 200
SPO. 1 Community Capacity Increased to Meet their Own Needs in Target Areas - DA	500	---	---	---	---	---	500
Totals - CSD - DA	--- 1,200	1,000 ---	--- 500	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	1,000 1,700

NOTE: S.O.2 is also supported by USAID emergency disaster assistance of approximately $6 million annually, depending on the severity of the chronic man-made and natural disasters in Somalia.

USAID Representative: John H. Bierke

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: SOMALIA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Improve Foundation for Food Crop Production in Target Areas, 649-SOO1
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $1,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2000

Purpose: USAID assistance seeks to rehabilitate the deteriorating agriculture sector in Somalia with the specific goal of improving household food security. USAID aims to prevent the decline of current production levels and, if possible, to increase these levels.

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID supports efforts to rehabilitate Somalia's agriculture sector, which has been extensively damaged due to drought, floods, and civil strife. As a result, 1,370 kilometers of farm-to-market feeder roads have been improved; 132 kilometers of irrigation canals rehabilitated; 334 flood control measures put into place; and 2,406 farmers instructed in techniques on how to increase their crop yield. An important contribution, but difficult to quantify, is that by providing these food-for-work opportunities for the poor in society, USAID helps to increase their sense of self-worth, as dependence on free food aid is decreased. Regrettably, disastrous flooding in 1997/98 wiped out many of the infrastructure gains made previously.

Description: Somalia, even in the best of circumstances, is a chronically food insecure country and so is dependent upon food aid. In the last few years, Somalia has made gains in increasing household food security. These gains, however, are quite fragile. The disastrous heavy rains and floods of 1997/1998 are a case in point, when many of the gains made in the past were literally washed away. USAID is focusing on relatively more secure agricultural areas in Lower and Middle Juba, and Lower and Middle Shabelle. Much of USAID's assistance in the agriculture sector will be with an eye to stabilizing areas where internally displaced persons and returning refugees are expected to reintegrate. USAID aims to make the agricultural sector more productive through flood prevention, rehabilitation of arable land, rural feeder road rehabilitation, more efficient use of available water supplies, and increased availability of agricultural inputs and services for farmers, such as seeds and tools. In areas where security conditions permit, Title II food aid will be used to support local initiatives that enhance food security through rehabilitation of the agricultural sector.

Host Country and Other Donors: USAID is the main donor for most of the activities in the agriculture sector. The governments of Japan, Italy and other European countries provide monetary and food resources designed to complement the USAID-supported strategy. The Somalia Aid Coordination Body Food Security and Rural Development Sectoral Committees help to coordinate donor, non-government organizations (NGOs), and United Nations implementation of these projects.

Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries are farmers and their families in the Lower and Middle Juba and Lower and Middle Shabelle regions. All of the people of southern Somalia benefits from lower food prices. Additionally, improved food security will help anchor returning refugees and displaced people in their home areas.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID implements these activities through World Food Program, CARE, World Vision and other U.S., international, and Somali NGOs.

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Major Result Indicators:
		Baseline	Target
		(1996)	(1999)

Hectares planted with food crops in
  target areas during the main 
  growing season 	12,600	17,000
Number of farm families using improved 
  agricultural techniques for food crop 
  production in target areas 	2,406 	 3,300
Hectares directly irrigated through new or 
  rehabilitated canals in target areas	3,730	18,891
Hectares protected by riverine flood control 
  measures in target areas  	62,500	360,000
Number of vulnerable farm families in
  target areas affected by crisis that 
  received seeds  	11,900	13,500
Number of vulnerable farm families in
  target areas affected by crisis that received 
  agricultural tools  	3,500	1,000
Length of roads facilitating agriculture constructed
  or rehabilitated in target areas  	1,370	 6,710
Percentage of irrigation canal costs assumed 
  by the local community in target areas  	5.2%	5.5%
Number of agricultural loans taken by farm 
  families in target areas  	420	3,920

Note: Targets may have to be adjusted depending upon the final impact of Somalia's recent floods.

ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: SOMALIA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Critical Needs Met for Targeted Vulnerable Groups, 649-SO02
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $1,000,000 CSD; $200,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2000

Purpose: USAID's activities help to prevent the return of mass starvation, epidemic and death, especially to the most vulnerable groups.

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Several areas of accomplishment deserve to be noted: much improved child immunization coverage, increased and more regular availability of drugs in health centers, and higher percentages of chlorinated wells in urban areas. Perhaps, the most noteworthy achievement of USAID and its partners was the timely delivery of disaster relief during the first phase of the devastating floods of late 1997. Thousands of lives were saved in southern and central Somalia due to the provision of food, medicines and shelter materials.

Description: USAID, including disaster assistance, aims to assist the critical life saving needs of the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, and internally displaced persons. The majority of USAID's assistance is targeted at South and Central Somalia - areas most severely affected by the ongoing conflict as well as drought, and more recently, catastrophic flooding which has left hundreds of thousands homeless. With USAID support, UNICEF continues to work towards its goal of reducing child and maternal mortality and morbidity rates, increasing individual family and community capacities to improve their health and nutritional status, and laying the foundation for sustainable provision of preventative health services in Somalia. The basic health care network to underserved populations in southern and central populations is being strengthened by providing essential drugs to health centers, necessary managerial support and training to the health service providers. USAID also supports non-government organizations (NGOs) which focus on preventative community level primary health care services. Activities include the establishment of village health posts and maternal/child health centers, training community health workers and traditional birth attendants, child survival interventions, and health education. USAID also supports improving the availability and accessibility of potable water and improve environmental sanitation and hygiene conditions. The main aim is to decrease water borne diseases, particularly cholera and dysentery. Wells and latrines are being constructed and rehabilitated and regular chlorination is taking place, along with community hygiene awareness education.

Vulnerable populations who face chronic malnutrition from year to year are supported with food aid. Supplementary and therapeutic food is being provided through supervised health clinics to children with acute or severe malnutrition. In addition, emergency food aid is being distributed to people who are in immediate need from the floods. In order to better deliver these critical services, USAID aims to improve its identification of vulnerable groups. The Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) program analyzes factors contributing to food insecurity, including rainfall data, livestock grazing patterns and market prices of food. By analyzing these and other trends, FEWS can help to predict areas of food insecurity and facilitate early targeting of vulnerable groups.

Host Country and Other Donors: USAID is one of the main donors for relief activities in Somalia; the other major donor is the European Commission Humanitarian Organization (ECHO). Somalia Aid Coordinating Body (SACB) sectoral meetings in the areas of health, water and sanitation, and food security are attended by donors, United Nations agencies, and NGOs. UNICEF, in partnership with NGOs receiving sub-grants from USAID, is collaborating with the SACB Health Sectoral Committee in formulating a common policy and strategy framework for assistance to the health sector in Somalia. USAID participates in the SACB sectoral groups to develop better methods for more timely and accurate identification of vulnerable groups.

Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries include approximately 1.5 million women and children and other vulnerable groups in the central and southern zones of Somalia. Target populations include children under the age of five, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly and handicapped, war wounded, displaced families, orphans and the unemployed.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Currently, USAID implements these activities through UNICEF, CARE, World Food Program, World Vision, American Refugee Committee, International Mercy Corps, Action Contre la Faim/France, International Committee for the Red Cross, Comitato Internzionle Per Lo Sviluppo Dei Popoli, and Adventist Development and Relief Agency.

Major Results Indicators:
			Baseline	Target
		(1996)		(1999)

Percentage of target health centers receiving 
  at least 90% of essential drugs on time  		86.5%		97%
Percentage of wells chlorinated in target 
  urban centers  		54%		70%
Number of people with access to potable 
  water in target areas  		293,155		335,000
Percentage of children under twelve months 
  fully vaccinated in target areas  		30%		65%
Number of persons who received food aid 
  within an appropriate timeframe  		228,513		300,000 
Number of mothers attending oral rehydration
  therapy training  		28,350		53,200

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: SOMALIA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Community Capacity Increased to Meet their own Needs in Target Areas. 649-SPO1
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $500,000 DA
Initial Obligation: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2000

Purpose: After years of dependency on international assistance, USAID hopes to help build Somali capacity to meet their own needs.

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Even though no national government has emerged in Somalia, a number of embryonic local governments, known as local administrative structures (LAS), have and are being formed. Some of these show great promise. In addition, many Somali non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are carrying out a vast array of activities throughout the country, many of which warrant greater support. Somalis also possess natural entrepreneurial talent, which needs to be further tapped. USAID resources have been used to strengthen the LAS to make them more efficient and more responsive to the needs of citizens. Also, the capabilities of NGOs are being increased to address community needs outside the reach of local government and to facilitate entrepreneurial income generating activities of the private sector. In short, civil society is being strengthened at the local level. USAID supported an inventory of needs of LAS and the design of technical assistance and training packages to address those needs. Several local government administrations are receiving technical assistance that is permitting them to provide increased and better municipal services to their constituents. Through CARE, a number of NGOs have developed and grown in Somalia and have provided service delivery that would otherwise go unmet. At USAID's instigation, a Tri-Regional Road Authority has been established in the North East, which is collecting revenues to maintain a critical commercial road link.

Description: USAID has supported several activities in Somalia to help build civil society and local governance. Embryonic local administrative structures are being assisted through a grant to the United Nations Department on Somalia (UNDOS). UNDOS has provided technical expertise to local governments to enable them to better service the needs of their constituents. USAID has encouraged regional government and local community involvement in the repair and rehabilitation of a vital road linking three regions with the major commercial markets in the northeast. A revenue collection system is being put in place to assure the continued maintenance of the road. The three regions are now working more closely and collaboratively together to complete the road and this effort may in fact lead to greater collaboration in other areas in the northeast. USAID is bolstering another pillar of civil society, the non-governmental sector. The NGOs are mostly indigenous and are engaged in grassroots development activities that are addressing needs beyond the means of local governments. USAID activities include training and funding to implement activities. Small entrepreneurs will also be given technical assistance.

Host Country and Other Donors: Work with LAS has sparked a lot of interest and generated strong collaboration among the international donor community. The European Union (EU), Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Nations Development Program are also making contributions to UNDOS. The EU is also assisting local governments unilaterally to help rebuild damaged local government buildings as well as other damaged or deteriorated infrastructure. USAID is a key donor in building Somali NGO capacity.

Beneficiaries The beneficiaries are citizens who benefit from improved services, recipients of NGO assistance, and small entrepreneurs.

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Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: UNDOS, CARE, and Adventist Relief and Development Agency

Major Results Indicators: 
		Baseline	Target
				(1999)
Percentage of NGOs receiving training that 
  are rated competent  	(1996) 50%		85%
Small loan repayment rate	(1996) 70%		80%
Number of target LAS with a system for 
  collecting taxes in place  	(1997) 2		7
Percent increase in revenues collected in 
  target LAS  	(1996) 10%		20%
Number of LAS which have developed an 
  annual municipal work plan  	(1997) 2 		7

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