Rajiv Shah: Speak Out Against the Famine in Somalia

Somalia's Famine

Half the population of Somalia is in need of emergency aid. The epic proportions of this famine unfolding in the Horn of Africa must prompt the Obama administration to re-think its disaster relief efforts to save lives in the conflict-prone region.

Send a letter to Rajiv Shah, the administrator of the U.S. Agency of International Development, calling for U.S. action on one of the main triggers of the humanitarian disaster: the inability of aid agencies to reach most of those in need.

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dr. Rajiv Shah,

The Obama administration needs to do more to end the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa sparked by the worst drought in 60 years. The usual approach of simply sending additional funds and trying to contain the suffering is ineffective and irresponsible in light of the way food aid is being manipulated by those in the region who intend to let men, women, and children starve to achieve their political aims or fulfill their personal interests.

I call on you as the administrator of USAID to initiate a diplomatic surge that combines the influence of the United States with prominent global figures from the Islamic world, Africa, and other concerned countries. The message must be clear to both the militant al-Shabaab group that ruthlessly rules most of the country, and to Somali’s Transitional Federal Government, or TFG: They must immediately allow unobstructed food aid delivery. Those denying food aid to famine victims are committing crimes against humanity and will be held accountable.

The famine in the Horn of Africa is the most dire humanitarian catastrophe the world faces. Unless efforts are made by you and others in the administration to remove the political barriers preventing the delivery of aid to famine victims, the 2011 Somali famine will be to the Obama administration what the 1994 Rwandan genocide was to the Clinton administration.  Please take action and lead this diplomatic surge.  Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians depend on it.

Environmental Protection Agency

Fax:(202) 566-9744