Event Summary
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.