Somalia needs more than humanitarian aid

Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Wednesday called for increased international support for Somalia as the country faces a devastating famine. Speaking at an open meeting of the UN Security Council, he said the country needed support for their security institutions, as well as humanitarian aid.

"Today, Somalia faces two alternative futures," Ali said. "One is where the humanitarian relief effort is stepped up, the international support force of AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) grows and can support the Somali Police and Army in building on the security gains made so far."

He said Somalia is on its way to achieving objectives laid out in a roadmap it has endorsed for building stable and permanent government institutions.

Bishop Giorgio Bertin, the Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, told Vatican Radio the international community needs to look to the long-term future of Somalia.

“We are already knew…that the real problem was not really the lack of international response, or the lack of solidarity,” said Bishop Bertin. “The response is there, and I can testify personally that some many people have contacted me. The real problem is how to distribute the means necessary for the people to survive, and perhaps also how to distribute help which may have as its aim…development. That is the crucial aspect.”

Listen: