Somalia

Background continued…Under United States law a refugee is an

individual who: Is located outside of the United States Is of special humanitarian concern to the United

States Demonstrates that they were persecuted or fear

persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group

Is not firmly resettled in another country Is admissible to the United States

Background continued… Only 12, 000 of them are from Africa

-Even fewer are from Somalia

Civil war cost the lives of over 20,000 men and displaced over

300,000 people World Health Organization Statistics:

Population of Somalia: 8.5 million

Child Deaths Under 5: 145 per 1000

Life Expectancy: 54/males 56/females

Background continued…• 10 years or more living in a refugee camp, most

likely in Kenya. Some of the camps have 80,000 people in them

The current government in Somalia is unstable and transitional.

Somalia's desire to unify into a greater Somalia is unpopular with its Kenyan and Ethiopian neighbors.

Currently, a full 60% of Somalia’s population is nomadic, raising animals such as cattle and sheep.

Background Traditionally nomads and seafarers

The effects of modernization resulted in a population shift into urban areas

Widespread civil unrest has caused many to flee to the Middle East, Europe, the U.S., and Canada

Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the U.S.

Few natural resources exist in Somalia Although some oil, gas and marketable minerals can be found, none have been exploited today because of internal strife and political turmoil.

Background continued… Traditionally, Somali people are socially

organized into clans Clans play an important role in politics

and culture; families are Patrilineal Marriages play an

important role in clan

alliances

Background continued…• Men traditionally have the most political

and social power• Men make political decisions

democratically in counsels• With recent changes in social dynamics,

women have been incorporated into social life at a greater level

• In general, Somali women participate in society, get an education, and may travel without presence of husband

Somalia's political Information

Political history that has put Somalia into current position.

Current political situationUnited States policy on SomaliaEmergency programs for

Somalia that the United States

participates in

Belief systemsBeliefs

IslamNo porkOnly properly “clean” or “Halal” foods can be consumed

HolidaysRamadan: fasting during the day, etcHajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca. Feed the poor

Health ConcernsHealth concerns in Africa

Marasmus: deficiencies caused by severe undernutrition.Kwashiorkor: illness caused by protein deficiency.

Health concerns in ColoradoPotential calcium deficiencies caused by

lowered intake of milk.Fresh, tasty vegetables are not easily accessible

which can lead other deficiencies prevented by nutrient rich vegetables

Food in SomaliaMeat

Goats, cows, chickens, camelVegetables

Potatoes, onions, peas, carrots, lettuceSalads: lettuce, cabbage, cilantro, lime

dressingMilk

Goats, cows, camelGrain

Rice, corn, sorghumIngera: a bread made from flour

Food in ColoradoMeats

Cow, chickenGreatly disliked from fat concentration

VegetablesMostly the sameOrganic tastes best, but is very expensive

MilkCowDisliked because of the taste

GrainWheat, rice

Problems with American FoodPrefer organically grown produce but

are expensive Meat higher in fat School Lunches Fast Food Availability of usual foods

We would like to dearly thank the members of the East African

Community of Colorado for being willing to share their culture with us.A special thank you to Fatima for preparing a traditional African dish

for us to sample.