UN / SOMALIA

Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos told the Security Council  that optimism over Somalia’s political and security improvements “have not translated into an improvement of the humanitarian situation” and have “not led to a substantial improvement in the daily lives of the people of Somalia.”  UNIFEED - UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:33
• Production Date: 4 June 2014
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - OCHA
• Subject Topical: NUTRITION; HUMANITARIAN RELIEF; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; TERRORISM
• Geographic Subject: SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: 1025820

Description

STORY: UN / SOMALIA
TRT: 1.33
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 4 JUNE 2014, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

4 JUNE 2014, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator:
“Since the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia in 2012, optimism over the expected progress in state and peace building and political and security improvements have not translated into an improvement of the humanitarian situation. And Security Council resolution 2024 in support of the joint AMISOM and Somali National Army military offensive which resulted in military gains has not led to a substantial improvement in the daily lives of the people of Somalia.”
5. Med shot, delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator:
“Al Shabaab's tactic of 'encirclement' has prevented commercial activity and humanitarian assistance to newly recovered areas. Access to basic commodities is limited and food prices have increased.”
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator:
“Urgent action must be taken to prevent the country from slipping back into a major humanitarian crisis. Early warnings must trigger early action so that Somalia moves towards and not away from food security; that it remains polio-free; and that the resilience of the people is reinforced. We are asking for an immediate injection of $60 million for the next three months to address urgent food, nutrition and healthcare needs.”
9. Med shot, delegates
10. Zoom out, Security Council

Storyline

Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos told the Security Council today (4 June) that optimism over Somalia’s political and security improvements “have not translated into an improvement of the humanitarian situation” and have “not led to a substantial improvement in the daily lives of the people of Somalia.”

Amos noted that development indicators in Somalia remain among the worst in the world and approximately 857,000 people in Somalia require urgent and life-saving assistance. An additional 2 million people are on the margin of food insecurity and require continued livelihoods support.

She told the Council that a below average harvest is expected in due to two poor rainy seasons and the situation is further compounded by the ongoing military offensive, and the Al Shabaab tactic of blocking major supply routes and encirclement of newly recovered areas.

Amos said “Al Shabaab's tactic of 'encirclement' has prevented commercial activity and humanitarian assistance to newly recovered areas. Access to basic commodities is limited and food prices have increased.”

The Emergency Relief Coordinator said “urgent action must be taken to prevent the country from slipping back into a major humanitarian crisis” and requested “an immediate injection of $60 million for the next three months to address urgent food, nutrition and healthcare needs.”

She also said countries must continue hosting Somali asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants and ensure their protection and safety as well as ensure that refugee returns are voluntary and conducted in a safe and dignified manner.