under united states law a refugee is an individual who: under united states law a refugee is an...
TRANSCRIPT
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 situation
United States policy on Somalia
Emergency 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.