Global Concerns Grow as the EU Suspends WFP Funding in Somalia

 

A United Nations (UN) investigation that found many problems with the utilization of food aid caused the European Union (EU) to temporarily stop funding the World Food Programme (WFP) in Somalia. Concerns have been raised about the Somalians who have been in need of aid as the result.

The European Commission, which is a part of the EU, gave the WFP in Somalia roughly $7 million last year. However, the organization received almost $1 billion in total donations. We don't yet know if other EU nations will discontinue providing aid.

Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, a man by the name of Balazs Ujvari claimed that although they had not received formal word that their money had been stopped, they had been very serious about putting an end to fraud, dishonest and other criminal behavior so might have been stopped too.

They made the decision to stop donating money when the U.N. investigated the circumstances and found that many people were stealing food that should have gone to those in need. This included those who work for nonprofit organizations, officials, landowners, and even the security forces. However, if the WFP does better checks, they might start giving money once more.

The EU added that they are collaborating with the WFP to address the significant issues they identified. The results of a covert U.N. inquiry revealed that those who had to leave their homes due to difficulties were required to submit some of their money to the authorities; otherwise, they could end up losing their homes or facing trouble. Due of this, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) stopped providing food to Ethiopia a few months ago.

The World Food Programme (WFP) receives substantial funding from the European Commission, worth around 10 million euros ($10.69 million), for Ethiopia and Somalia. However, the majority of aid to Somalia comes from the US, which provided more than half of the $2.2 billion in aid last year.

The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, claims they are still providing aid and are making sure those who need it receive the aid. Compared to what they did in Ethiopia where the government was heavily involved in the distribution of food, they have no plans to stop providing food in Somalia.

The organization in charge of managing aid to Somalia, the Somali Disaster Management Office, has promised to look into the issues raised by the U.N. report. 

The World Food Programme (WFP) receives substantial funding from the European Commission, worth around 10 million euros ($10.69 million), for Ethiopia and Somalia. However, the majority of aid to Somalia comes from the US, which provided more than half of the $2.2 billion in aid last year.

The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, claims they are still providing aid and are making sure those who need it receive the aid. Compared to what they did in Ethiopia where the government was heavily involved in the distribution of food, they have no plans to stop providing food in Somalia.

The organization in charge of managing aid to Somalia, the Somali Disaster Management Office, has promised to look into the issues raised by the U.N. report. They also claim that they provide relief independent of the government.

According to experts, 43,000 people died in Somalia last year due to severe drought, many of whom were children under the age of five, despite the fact that the country's official statistics claim there was no famine there. The U.N. study claims that a significant amount of help was hidden, though they did not specify how much.

The investigators found that help was being accepted at all 55 locations in Somalia where people who were forced to leave their houses . In Somalia, there are around 3.8 million people who had to leave their homes due to issues. It is difficult to provide relief to them because of the weak administration, rebel groups, and inequitable treatment of some clans.

When there was a drought in 2011, humanitarian organizations began donating money instead of food because they believed it would be more difficult to take. However, the U.N. report showed that even money was weak. Strong members of their clans who go by the title of "gatekeepers" would force anyone in need of help into paying them.

It was also discovered that some aid staff members helped the gatekeepers in stealing money. Security officers were making matters worse by threatening or imprisoning those who refused to provide money. People are concerned because of all of this that things might get worse if there isn't enough money for relief.

Only 36% of the $2.6 billion needed for aiding Somalia this year has been donated as of now. This shows how challenging it is to raise enough money for support. People are looking for ways to provide aid to those in need without having it stolen or used inappropriately.