Somalia

War and conflict remain the largest threats to growth and the fight against poverty in Africa. This is why support for conflict resolution and peace building has a high priority. Norway is actively involved in the Horn of Africa as well as Somalia. For the third consecutive year the world has been less peaceful: According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) for 2010, the terrorist threat has increased in 29 countries and there is an increasing risk of violent demonstrations. This list, which covers 153 nations, makes gloomy reading where the African continent is concerned. 40 per cent of the world's least peaceful nations are located south of the Sahara. Somalia has taken over the bottom place from Iraq, which has climbed up one place since 2009.

Peace and reconciliation

Work for conflict resolution and peace is a central part of Norwegian foreign policy. Norway is currently engaged in peace and reconciliation work in about 20 different countries and regions.

Somalia has been ravaged by civil war and the absence of official structures for 17 years. Norway's work in relation to the peace process in Somalia has focused on contributing to a closer coordination of the international community's response to the conflict and negotiations, and on supporting the role of the UN. Part of this work has been to create the International Somalia Contact Group in cooperation with the United States. The group is now headed by the UN Special Representative for Somalia. Norway is among the largest contributors in terms of humanitarian aid to Somalia, and also provides significant funding for institution and capacity building through the UN. Furthermore, Norway provides backing for the follow-up of the so-called Djibouti Agreement between the Somali transitional government and the opposition, and reconciliation activities at the grassroots level.

The work for political stability will remain a priority. Norway is working actively to create platforms for dialogue and reconciliation initiatives in addition to the humanitarian commitment.

A growing number of displaced

2010 saw the signing of a three-year agreement providing NOK 258 million (86 million per year) to the Norwegian Refugee Council's programmes in Kenya, Somalia, DR Congo, Uganda, Sudan and Zimbabwe. The agreement, called HAPPDA (Humanitarian Assistance and Protection to Persons Displaced in Africa), may also be extended to new countries in the region in the event of new humanitarian needs or crises.

This agreement is an important part of the follow-up of thematic priorities set out in White Paper 40 on Norwegian Humanitarian Policy (2008-2009). It emphasizes that the Norwegian government will give priority to measures for the protection and reintegration of refugees.

For Somalia this is significant. Statistics from 2010 show that as many as one of six Somalis is a refugee (www.flyktninghjelpen.no).

Humanitarian assistance

The security situation is deteriorating and the country is considered one of the world's worst places for humanitarian aid work.

The humanitarian situation is precarious because of the continuing conflicts in the country and long periods of drought, which again has a negative impact on food security. Norway's assistance is concentrated mainly in south and central Somalia, although some humanitarian assistance goes to Puntland and Somaliland.

Focus:

• Water and sanitation 
• Shelter Food security Health Education

The support is channelled through the UN, Norwegian and international organisations and the Red Cross system. Norway is committed to being a visible and clear defender of the need to ensure that humanitarian organisations have full access in Somalia, something which has been very problematic due to the threat of armed attacks and the danger of looting.

Norway has increased humanitarian aid for 2011. The sum of NOK 170 million is NOK 35 million higher than in 2010. The money will be channelled through the UN, Red Cross, and Norwegian and international organisations working in Somalia.

Miscellaneous:

• In 2010, Norway provided NOK 250 million to Somalia through bilateral and multilateral channels.
• Norway is working actively to find a solution to the problem of the hijacking of ships off the coast of Somalia.
• Norway does not have an embassy in Somalia, but the country is side-accredited to Kenya.