E-Portfolio Assignment

By Kevin Salinas

A refugee camp in Somalia seems unrealistic. The country has had an unstable government for quite some time and is experiencing extreme conditions of crime and famine. The overall economy of Somalia is ranked one of the poorest and least developed in the world. The vast majority of people living in Somalia are seeking life outside their country for many reasons such as security, safety, and shelter. All hope that their life will change for the better. With the increase of Somali people migrating to refugee camps, many locations have became extremely overcrowded and have not been managed properly. The country is experiencing a crisis and the resources that are needed to sustain the population are unbalanced.

My Proposal for a New Refugee Camp: Northern Somalia (Camp Paul Knox)

It would make sense to build a refugee camp in Somalia for its own population but without having a supportive government, the situation seems nearly impossible. Safety would be a main concern for a refugee camp in Somalia, but if the US military was able to intervene and support the cause then anything would be possible. Under the assumption that Somalia receives US aid, I began to look and do some research for the perfect location to build a refugee camp. I also kept in mind that life would be constructed around this particular environment.

An ideal refugee camp for the Somali population should be located near the Indian Ocean or Gulf of Aden to have immediate access to water. Having access to water is also a food source and having access to a source of water will also help with the cultivation of a solid agriculture. A location in Northern Somalia would be just right for Camp Paul Knox.

To begin the construction for a refugee camp you will need laborers and some volunteers to transport equipment to the location. The quantity of supplies and services that will be needed will depend on the size of the population. With a large population occupying the northern tip of Somalia in a refugee camp you can imagine the need for an increased number of personnel for the gathering and supplying of food for the population. Occupations in fishery and agriculture are the sources that will feed the people. Roads and transportation are extremely vital for acquiring the necessary supplies and services. A designated committee or group will be essential in distributing and supplying resources evenly. The assigned committee will also be in charge of calculating the needs and direction of the camp population.

A living environment will need to be created with large tents and sleeping bags. Food, water, and shelter are the obvious requirements. It is important that in the construction of any refugee camp, that all is aware of the possible contingencies that may arise such as the changes in weather and the possible increase in population.

A team of personnel is important to manage a large group of people. Education will be the key to any future success of a refugee camp so it’s important that the people are constantly learning to improve their situation. Teachers and skilled workers will be the foundation for others to learn from.

Red dot is Camp Paul Knox.

The freedom of religion will give each person their right to believe and worship as they please. Every person in a refugee camp has left behind belongings, family, and a past life they will perhaps never live again. The importance of religion during these difficult times means everything to those who have absolutely nothing or have lost all they had.

The ideal refugee camp will make people feel comfortable because ultimately this is their new home. Having social events, meetings, and being able to talk amongst one another will help people feel at ease and help with emotion. It’s not easy to be optimistic when you are in a situation like this but having a mentor or positive person to talk to can change a negative outlook on life. There’s always hope.

80% of all displaced persons are women and children because they have no help. Most single women have had a division with family or a separation from their spouse. As a result women are often forced toward unhealthy or inhospitable environments. Much of the internally displaced person women also experience profound psychosocial distress. It’s possible that displaced persons lack the necessary identity in order to receive benefits or legal citizenship. Children unfortunately are the innocent victims and are unable to have a stable environment. Women also run a risk of being raped and victimized because they are vulnerable. (As a human we are never safe anywhere). A woman has to be strong for herself and if she has children, then for her family. The elderly are sometimes victims to horrible crimes. It’s important to keep a positive surrounding and report inappropriate behavior to the necessary personnel.

We can all learn from difficult situations. The people of refugee camps are humans and many that are without the necessities happen to be children. If financially anyone can contribute then people really should. A little bit of help can go a very long way for people that are living in poverty. Volunteer work for those who can’t help financially is just as important. Many elderly people need help physically because they are unable. It’s important to give a helping hand because there are many unfortunate people in need.