Jacpher Posted November 5, 2009 Another Side of Somali Story Another Side of the Somali Story By David D. Sussman Wednesday, November 4 11:22 pm EST Somalia does not often benefit from positive stories in the press. At present it is probably best known for its ongoing civil war - which has lasted for nearly two decades - pirates operating along its coasts, and recently, reporting on the return of young Somalis from Minnesota to fight for the Shabaab, a group of Islamic militants with ties to Al Qaeda. Readers, however, might overlook another outcome of this conflict – the displacement of Somalis throughout the globe, and the creation of a wide-ranging diaspora. All one needs to do is search “Somali” and “community” on the web to get an idea of the global spread of Somalis. A 2009 UNDP report provides a summary of the Somali diaspora. It found that approximately one in every seven Somalis now live overseas, totaling more than one million persons. Top locations, outside of Kenya and Yemen, in Europe (rank order) are the UK, “Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Italy.” In North America large communities reside in the Minneapolis region, Columbus, Ohio, and Toronto, Canada. Collectively, these overseas Somalis act as a powerful financial force by sending back remittances. This strong tradition of giving uses hawala, an informal system for transferring funds, and monies may be used to support family members, or also as business investments. The aforementioned UNDP report states that the diaspora sends $1 billion, or even as much as $1.6 billion annually back to Somalia. This appears to be an impressive amount, particularly when compared to the $214 million in aid pledge by foreign donors earlier this year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodman Posted November 5, 2009 1.6 billion!!! can't even get my head around dat figure. Why then is poverty increasing? It is truly sad that one in seven of us is abroad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sherban Shabeel Posted November 6, 2009 Only one in seven? I don't know why I was under the impression that the majority of Somalis are outside of Somalia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Som@li Posted November 6, 2009 If those pple where back home, and they would positively contribute more than sittin in some countries.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar Posted November 6, 2009 So this said figure only states what goes directly to Soomaalida ku sugan Soomaaliya, including xiryaha qaxootiga Dhadhaab, via remittance? Marka Soomaalida badan ku wada sugan Bariga Afrikada kale, Carabaha, Gariiga, Malta iyo Turkiga waxa loo diro kuma jiraan filaa. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted November 6, 2009 Interesting story. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodman Posted November 6, 2009 Originally posted by Dabshid: If those pple where back home, and they would positively contribute more than sittin in some countries.. Being in some countries is what's sending dat much money home, no? Hadii la'is wada ag fadhiyo maxaa ka iman? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
