Overview
Concern in Somalia
Concern has worked in Somalia since 1986, except for three years in the 1990s. It withdrew staff in 1994, following violence that killed a Concern nurse, 23-year old Valerie Place, in February, 1993. More recently, continuing insecurity has meant that humanitarian aid agencies, including Concern, have been unable to get proper access to those in need.
Concern works with communities providing:
• Teacher training and school support
• Access to clean water and improved sanitation
• Agricultural improvements, including providing seeds and tools
• Restoration of health services
• Restoration and development of infrastructure: roads, bridges, canals, and wells
Concern works in Mogadishu, the Lower Shabelle region, and Bay region, while also supporting the Gedo Health Consortium with health and nutrition services.
Helping schools
Concern’s community education project targets students and teachers in 18 community schools. The programme benefits over 7,000 children. The project focuses on teacher training and improving learning conditions. Concern also teaches school officials to develop budgets and monitor performance so they can manage their school systems without international help. Community participation in the school committees is encouraged. Concern also helps with school construction and purchasing educational materials.
Providing safe drinking water
Many families in southern Somalia have trouble finding clean water. Poor hygiene and sanitation practices worsen the situation. For example, drinking water is often drawn, carried and stored in dirty containers. In 1999, Concern began a programme aimed at establishing safe, clean water sources as well as raising awareness of sanitation and hygiene practices. The programme has reached nearly 9,000 families in Kurtunwaarey and Awdegle districts in Lower Shabelle. Concern is also helping a local NGO to increase its ability to implement water projects.
Providing new opportunities for farmers
Drought, floods, and conflict have caused massive disruption and poverty for many in Somalia. There are few options for people, as many have lost their homes and there is little work. In Kurtunwaarey and Awdegle districts, Concern is helping to boost opportunities for farmers by providing credit to farm associations. This helps make seeds and tools available to farmers. Concern is also providing training and introducing farmers to new agricultural techniques.
Emergency relief
Violent clashes in the country have forced thousands of people to leave their homes. Although the security situation makes it very difficult to deliver aid, Concern has distributed water, food, medicines, shelter and cooking equipment to 3,500 displaced families.
Flood prevention
The Lower Shabelle region is prone to seasonal flooding that causes death, property and crop loss. Concern has worked at preventing these floods by strengthening river embankments and improving water flow systems. Concern is also stockpiling emergency supplies, in order to ensure a rapid response during a flooding emergency.
Helping to reduce stigma
Concern’s work with HIV and AIDS in Somalia aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around those that have the virus. Concern has formed a partnership with a local NGO; together the two organisations work to increase HIV and AIDS awareness programmes. This project focuses on Mogadishu and its surrounding communities.
Peace education through soccer
The Elman Football Club, supported by Concern, was formed in 1996. The club, which is comprised of people from different clans, aims to show young Somalis that clans can get along. They travel the country, in some of the most dangerous areas, playing local teams along the way. The team tries to counter the deep mistrust among the clans, a result of years of war and chaos. Recently the team has expanded its youth clinic programme for displaced children.
