USAID in Somalia - Background

• USAID partnered with the Somali people over the past 20 years and is now strengthening that partnership as Somalis rebuild after decades of conflict.
• On September 10, 2012, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud was elected President through a democratic process.
• The USG officially recognized the Government of Somalia on January 17, 2013.
• UN-approved African Union Stabilization Force (AMISOM) has been active in Somalia since 2006.
• Food security and nutrition conditions have improved since the height of the drought and famine in 2011- 2012, but Somalia continues to experience a significant humanitarian crisis.
• Insecurity continues to limit humanitarian and development access.
• More than one million people remain in crisis and emergency. An additional two million are classified as stressed and their food security remains fragile.
• Recent security improvements in key urban areas of southern Somalia provide a critical opportunity to address urgent needs and promote early recovery; international complacency at this time would have serious implications for long-term stability and viability. 

Quick Facts

• Area: 637,657 square km – slightly smaller than Texas
• Pop: 10.25 million (May 2013 est.)
• Religion: predominantly Sunni Muslim
• Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non- Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs)
• Maternal mortality: 1,000 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
• Infant mortality: 101.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 Est)
• Literacy: 37%. Male: 50%, female: 26% (2001 est.)
• GDP: $5.9 billion (2010 est.): agriculture: 59%, industry: 7%, services: 34% (2011 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/so.html