WASHINGTON - Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Dean Phillips (D-MN) sent a letter urging United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power to support Somalia as it rebuilds from widespread and disastrous flooding.
“We write to express concern for the victims of the ongoing flood disaster in Somalia and urge USAID to focus its efforts on assisting the affected population,” wrote the lawmakers. “As of November 29, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that at least 2 million people have been affected, including 746,000 who have been displaced.”
“Minnesota is home to one of the world’s largest populations of Somali immigrants and refugees, and many in the community have family in Somalia who have been affected by the flooding,” the lawmakers continued. “Our Somali community is working hard to send aid back to Somalia and bring national and international attention to the country’s plight, but federal assistance is needed.”
Over 86,000 Minnesota residents claim Somali heritage and connection, one of the largest concentrations within the United States.
Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
Dear Administrator Power:
We write to express concern for the victims of the ongoing flood disaster in Somalia and urge USAID to focus its efforts on assisting the affected population. As you know, October to December is the traditional rainy season in East Africa, where it is known as Deyr. This year, the Deyr has been exacerbated by the El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole weather phenomena, causing widespread flooding and devastation in the Horn of Africa.
Somalia has been hit particularly hard. As of November 29, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that at least 2 million people have been affected, including 746,000 who have been displaced. Thousands of people have been cut off from markets and supplies or marooned in isolated villages. Roads, bridges and airstrips are in ruins. In addition, a growing number of flood victims lack access to safe water and proper sanitation, which increases the risk of water-borne diseases.
The catastrophic flooding in Somalia comes only six months after the country endured one of the worst droughts in recorded history, which spanned two years and pushed millions to the brink of starvation. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of 5 are expected to face acute malnutrition by July 2024. The crisis is exacerbated by the ongoing military conflict that continues to drive people from their homes.
Minnesota is home to one of the world’s largest populations of Somali immigrants and refugees, and many in the community have family in Somalia who have been affected by the flooding. Our Somali community is working hard to send aid back to Somalia and bring national and international attention to the country’s plight, but federal assistance is needed.
We urge the Department to keep aid to Somalia at the forefront of your operations as you work to provide disaster relief around the world. With that, we request that you provide answers to the following questions about your operations in Somalia:
- How has USAID provided assistance to Somalia in past years, and how has USAID bolstered its efforts after the recent flooding?
- How can the Somali community in the United States best support USAID to send relief back to Somalia?
- How can Congress best equip USAID with the resources and authorities it needs to respond to climate disasters in Somalia and the Horn of Africa?
We are eager to work with you on ensuring that Somalia receives the humanitarian aid it needs to rebuild after these devastating natural disasters. Thank you for all that you and your organization do to respond to disasters and conflicts around the world. Your aid saves lives.
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