The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) above ground is an effective fighting force in Somalia; however, AMISOM's success depends on Uganda's participation. AMISOM's existence is due to a long Somali history of political and economic instability and the ongoing fight against the Somalia-based terrorist organization, Al-Shabaab. The overall goal in Somalia is to eliminate or at least contain the Al-Shabaab threat. The creation of AMISOM helps Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and its allies effectively target Al-Shabaab, using AMISOM supported by the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) as an umbrella organisation. From the UN's perspective, Somalia has been at the center of a famine epidemic that has affected more than 3.5 million Somalis and put nearly 250,000 in danger of death. The famine has forced thousands of Somalis to take refuge in already strained refugee camps in Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti, while others have fled to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within Mogadishu. Complicating UN efforts, Al-Shabaab continues to deny international aid to the most affected populations. The United States, the United Nations, and international humanitarian agencies have worked both to address the direct needs of the Somali people and to find a more permanent solution to the problem. stop this crisis in Somalia. According to the U.S. Department of State, as of January 2012, the U.S. government had committed more than $338 million to support AMISOM with equipment, logistical support, and peacekeeping training. US equipment support includes armored vehicles, trucks, communications equipment, water purification devices, generators, tents, and night vision equipment...... middle of document ......anceonu.org /spip.php?article6106Council On foreign relations. Al-Shabaab. August 10, 2011. Author Stephanie Hanson. Extracted from. http://www.cfr.org/somalia/al-shabaab/p18650United Nations General Assembly. Proposed $80.9 million logistics support package for the African Union mission in Somalia accepted by the budget committee. (2009, March 25). United Nations General Assembly. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/200 9/gaab3898.doc.htmUnited Nations General Assembly. To keep Somalis “engaged”, the Secretary-General urges the Security Council to continue supporting the political, security and recovery processes. (2012, March 5). United Nations General Assembly. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sgsm14141.doc.htmU.S. Department of State. Somalia. (January 20, 2012). US Department of State. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.