Perpetual Emergency: A Personal Journey of Climate Change, Conflict and Famine in Somalia

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People living in the Horn of Africa are facing one of the worst droughts in over 40 years, and 20 million people in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are facing severe drought with devastating consequences to lives and livelihoods, including widespread famine. This situation albeit acute is not new as protracted periods of drought conditions have historically placed Somalia in the headlines, interlinked with the outbreak of conflicts, displacement and other manifestations of social fragilities. Climate change impacts and conflict-related risks often overlap or exacerbate each other resulting in complex needs for communities living in conflict-affected areas. This event presents an autoethnographic reflection by Somalian independent researcher Nuradin Dirie on the compounded humanitarian crises in Somalia and explores potential pathways for addressing this challenge.

Speakers

Nuradin Aden Dirie is a Somali politician, humanitarian and diplomat with over 30 years of experience in various fields, including regional politics, state-building and climate security. He has held various leadership positions and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in international development assistance.

Emmanuel Osuteye is a multidisciplinary lecturer in Urbanisation and Sustainable Development at The Bartlett Developing Planning Unit, University College London (UCL).  His research interests focus on studying the governance, policy and institutional aspects of disaster risk and risk management, climate change adaptation and resilience, and community-led development in low-income urban centres, particularly in Africa.

Christophe Hodder is the United Nations Climate Security and Environmental Advisor to Somalia

Photo credit:  (M. Tewelde, 2022)