10 Reasons Why Remittances To #Somalia Are Important

The #SomaliLifeline is hanging by a thread. 40% of Somalis rely on remittances for survival. But money sent by Somalis abroad to loved ones at home is being choked off by counter terror and anti money laundering regulations. Here are some reasons why they matter to people in Somalia.

1. Remittances from my family abroad are my #SomaliLifeline

HIJRA/Oxfam

$1.3 billion is sent by Somalis abroad to loved ones in Somalia each year. This money is spent on the basics of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, education and medicine. This is a lifeline for millions of Somalis.

2. Remittances mean I can feed my family #SomaliLifeline

HIJRA/Oxfam

Three quarters of a million people in Somalia do not have enough to eat. More than 38,000 children are at death's door. Money sent by Somalis abroad helps millions of people survive.

3. Remittances mean I can go to school #SomaliLifeline

HIJRA/Oxfam

Hundreds of thousands of girls and boys in Somalia aren't able to go to school. Schooling is not widely available and is expensive. Money from diaspora communities mean thousands of school children get an education they'd otherwise miss out on.

4. Remittances mean I have enough water to drink #SomaliLifeline

HIJRA/Oxfam

Only 30% of people in Somalia have access to clean, safe drinking water. Money sent back by Somalis abroad means many of those 30% are able to continue to get the water they need to survive.

5. Remittances mean I can invest in my business #SomaliLifeline

Adeso

There is a huge entrepreneurial culture in Somalia. Many people run small shops, and start up capital from Somalis abroad is an important way of getting up and running and expanding businesses.

6. Remittances mean my family helps me when foreign governments can't #SomaliLifeline

HIJRA/Oxfam

....or won't. In the past few years, there has never been enough aid money to meet the needs of Somalis. With over 40% of the population receiving remittances, the cost to aid budgets would be much much higher if this cash flow was cut.

7. Remittances mean I can access healthcare #SomaliLifeline

HIJRA/Oxfam

Somalia has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Somalis rely on a patchy healthcare system to survive and have to pay for healthcare. Remittances help thousands to stay healthy.

8. Remittances mean we can support each other from all over the world #SomaliLifeline

Care International

Millions of Somalis live abroad and across the world they support relatives and families back home to live dignified lives.

9. The Stats

Oxfam/Adeso/Global Center on Cooperative Security

Remittances sent back to Somalia by Somalis abroad amount to $1.3 billion per year. This is more than Development Assistance, Humanitarian Aid and Foreign Direct Investment in the country combined. This is a Somali lifeline to tackle Somali problems.

10. Finally, hear testimonies from recipients of remittances in Somaliland

youtube.com

How much do they receive? What do they spend the money on?

And other answers.

Adeso, Global Center on Cooperative Security and Oxfam have released a new report - "Hanging by a thread: The ongoing threat to Somalia's remittance lifeline". This has a lot more detail of the problem in different countries around the world, including USA, UK, Australia, and recommendations for the way forward.

Download and read it.