January

12
2010

2:00 pm EST - 3:30 pm EST

Past Event

The Changing Security Situation in Somalia: Implications for Humanitarian Action

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EST

The Brookings Institution
Stein Room

1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC
20036

The international community faces complex internal and transnational challenges in Somalia, including the spread of militant Islam and al Qaeda involvement, a lack of governance and rule of law, an increase in piracy and other criminal activity, and a rise in internal displacement due to the dangers of ongoing conflict. Because of these challenges, humanitarian assistance to Somalia has been decreasing, despite a deteriorating situation on the ground.

On January 12, the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement held a panel discussion on the changing security context in Somalia and its implications for humanitarian action. Panelists included Walter Kälin, representative of the UN Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons; Michael O’Hanlon, director of research and senior fellow in Foreign Policy Program at Brookings; and Lauren Ploch, Africa Analyst at the Congressional Research Service. Elizabeth Ferris, senior fellow and co-director of the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, moderated the discussion.

After their presentations, panelists took audience questions. A summary report of the meeting is available for download.

Agenda