Doctors Without Borders has decided to close all its medical programs in Somalia, citing "imbalance [between] risks & compromises that staff must make, and our ability to provide impartial care." In the 22 years the organization has worked in Somalia, 16 staff members have been killed.
There's a deep distrust of western NGOs in a wide swath of the world, largely based on accusations (and histories) of proselytizing, sterilization via vaccines and just plain old spying (CIA performing polio surveys?).
Yes, but there's also some groups that think that Westerners helping a catalyst to the Westernization of their country, which they want to become/remain Islamist. Also, in Somalia, the warlords want to control food/medicine supplier to consolidate power. So, yes, we haven't had the best track record, but their intentions aren't simply a general distrust for past transgressions.
As a Somali this makes me very very sad, but I understand the reasoning too. These doctors are risking their lives. I hope that people like Dr. Hawa Abdi (known as the mother Teresa of Somalia) and her daughters continue the great work that they do for our people. She is fearless and stands up to the terrorists/extremists. I have been donating to her foundation for years and I know the money is used wisely. Below is a quote from the The Star article, this woman is BAD ASS and my hero.
“You are an old woman . . . we are men. We are in control,” the Hizbul Islam fighters told her.
She countered: “You are a man — you have two testes. A goat also has two testes. What have you done for your society?”
As she dug in, those she had saved protested on her behalf. In the end, Hizbul Islam delivered her a signed letter of apology.
She countered: “You are a man — you have two testes. A goat also has two testes. What have you done for your society?”
Pimpinest response to armed extremists ever.
Dr. Hawa is AMAZING. I desperately want someone to make a movie about her...but most big film and TV projects in the US are awful about portraying Somalis.
The same delightful people who shot down US Army helicopters while they were attempting to protect UN forces who were delivering food relief to starving Somalis.
1. I don't think the entire city of Mogadishu joined together to hit the missile launch button to down the helicopter.
2. You may need to do some historical reading on how some US military forces have "helped" civilians overseas.
Oh, like how the US helped the Bosnian Serbs or the Muslims of Indonesia after the Tsunami? There are tens of thousands of Muslims who are only alive right now because of the United States.
Yeah, people like you can always pull something out of your ass that seemingly justifies the actions of terrorists. You should work for Al Qaeda.
And an RPG-7 is a rocket not a missile, dummy.
1. No one mentioned anything about Islamic countries.
2. From WWII to Vietnam to the Panama invasion, there have been SOME reports of US soldiers either raping, killing or physically assaulting unarmed civilians. The military is no different than the Police Force, there are some good cops and there are some bad cops. Years of conflict can confuse people on who the "enemy" is.
3. These horror stories of US soldiers behaving cruelly reach countries even before the soldiers land. And when they do land, of course they will have to prove themselves to the local population.
4. There are many great men and women in the US military, however there are always some bad apples.
5. Hope you can figure out a way to deal with your anger and learn how to not call people "dummies" or "terrorists" when they mention factual information.
Bottom line: Fuck those people. There are plenty of places where doctors are needed where they wont have to worry about getting shot or kidnapped.
Don't worry, I'm sure our Tea Party types will fill their void once they discover that Somalia is their dream land. It has little if any government interference, guns are practically required, and education and health care are only of quality for those who can afford it.
Hey hey let's not forget that abortion is completely prohibited and that 1/12 women die due to pregnancy-related causes. It's the American Dream, fulfilled!
Funny, the article said that DWB has been in Somalia for about 22 years. And it is only now, after the reestablishment of the a Somali government in Mogadishu, and the intervention of the the Ethiopian military (not to mention the continued monitoring and support of the US) that Somalia is considered too dangerous for Doctors Without Frickin' Borders to operate in. That is strange. I mean, they've had so much government flow in there in the last few years.
