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July 2022 Vol. 59 No. 11

Carruth (American Univ.) presents an unusual perspective on the workings of humanitarian aid to the Somali region of Ethiopia, focusing on the totality of Somali efforts in aid work within this community. Unlike large international humanitarian enterprises that seek to relieve distressed local communities and employ foreigners at most levels, the Somali efforts are run and mostly controlled by Somalis themselves. There are Somali operatives in all phases of humanitarian aid, from administrators to guides, educated teachers and researchers to laborers. Somalis also fill the ranks of mid-level aid officials and managers. Discerning the needs of the population in distress is much easier for community members than for outsiders, who must learn the language and culture of the people who need help. The source from which this humanitarianism springs is the Somali cultural concept of samafal. It can best be described as a sense of belonging to the culture and as such having an obligation and duty to relieve the distresses of the entire community on both local and regional levels. Carruth based her research on personal field work, informants, and a bibliography that includes most relevant written sources.

--T. Natsoulas, emeritus, University of Toledo

Summing Up: Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty.