March 17, 2002
http://www.concernusa.org/index1.asp
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Concern Worldwide US
Somalia - Food Security
Somalia is ranked as the hungriest country in the world according to the United Nations, with in excess of 75% of the population undernourished. Concern’s Rural Food Security Project emphasizes community mobilization and the establishment and development of village-level farmer associations. With the principal aim of improving food security at household and community level, the program will reinforce recently established associations by strengthening their abilities and opportunities to develop their own resources, organizations and activities.
The established farmer associations will receive additional training and credit in kind in the form of hiring tractors and good quality seeds. Repayments are in the form of cereals and funds obtained from the sale will be re-invested in next seasons land preparation. Concern will also continue the rehabilitation of key agricultural infrastructures such as bridges and market shades, critical for the revival of local farm economies.
Concern also operations a water and environmental sanitation project, which aims to contribute to an improvement in the water conditions of the rural population living in the district of Kurtunwarei. The program assists 17 villages, with a combined population of some 30,000 people.
Copyright © 2000 - 2001 Concern Worldwide US Inc. All rights reserved
Education Somalia
Somalia - Education Program
Somalia lacks a coherent, national education system. Three quarters of primary schools cannot give children the basic skills necessary to prevent a relapse into illiteracy. Concern’s Community Education project is targeting students and teachers in seven community schools.
Our assistance focuses mainly on strengthening teacher training, improving learning conditions, strengthening the management and planning capacity of the school committees and advancing a viable and durable financial system. Emphasis is placed on the development and implementation of appropriate strategies for increased community participation in school management and development plans.
Netaid (www.netaid.org) has granted $59,000 to Concern Worldwide for construction and rehabilitation of five school premises in Somalia. This program will benefit 3,500 children in the Kurtunwarei District. This development is in addition to the education programs in Mogadishu and Wanle-wein. With a focus on high levels of community involvement, Concern plans to implement teacher training sessions and sanitation programs, in addition to ensuring provision of school materials.
Copyright © 2000 - 2001 Concern Worldwide US Inc. All rights reserved
Background
A Dramatic Emergency Operation
During the crisis, violence and devastating famine, Concern maintained the largest group of aid workers involved in multi-faceted relief efforts—and lost one of its own. 23-year old nurse, Valerie Place, was killed in an ambush in February, 1993. Concern volunteers won the attention of many journalists and networks including ABC's Nightline and PBS's MacNeil Lehrer Newshour.
One of the institutional casualties of the civil factional strife of the early 1990s was the Somali education system. In the aftermath of that period the UN found that 90% of school buildings in the country were completely or partially destroyed. Concern initiated an education rehabilitation program which included refurbishment of schools, provision of school materials, employment of former teachers and training of new teachers.
There were up to 20,000 children in 23 schools rehabilitated by Concern when a renewed upsurge in fighting forced the withdrawal of personnel 1994. Concern resumed its operations in 1997.
Copyright © 2000 - 2001 Concern Worldwide US Inc. All rights reserved
Somalia Background
Somalia has a population of 9 million which is divided into traditional clan groupings, each occupying, defending and ruling its own ‘ancestral’ lands. During the 19th century Somalia was the most extensive united 'nation' in Africa, made up of five clans sharing a common language and religion (Sunni Muslims).
Post independence in 1960, Somalia became a pawn in the Cold War and, after USSR and US patronage in turn, broke down in inter-clan conflict. Following nine years of no government, a Somali transitional government was formed last year, following months of talks between Somali clan leaders in Djibouti. Plagued by bitter conflicts and recurring emergencies - a devastating famine in 1992, floods in 1997, and the threat of famine in 2000 - the conditions of civil conflict continue to dominate Somali society, making the lives of the poor precarious and vulnerable to exploitation, hardship and ill health.
Physical and social infrastructure - roads, bridges, water, law and order, education and health services, have virtually collapsed. In the meantime, local authorities are able to provide only the basic administrative framework (security and trade) while the needs of the people (health, education, food security) go largely unmet. Life expectancy is 47 years, and only 5% of school age children are receiving an education. Malnutrition and food security are great problems – in 2000, some 1 million people in Somalia faced the threat of famine, due to poor harvests, and flooding.
Recent Developments
1. UN FAO say Somalia facing food shortage in 2001.
2. Somalia takes part in the 73rd session of the OAU Council of Ministers.
Immediate Needs
1. Reconciliation and restoration of government.
2.• Access to clean water and improved sanitation.
3. Agricultural inputs-seeds and tools- to promote food security.
4. Teacher training and school support
5. Restoration of health services.
6. Restoration and development of infrastructure: roads, bridges, canals, wells.
Concern Activities
1. Concern mounted a major response to the 1992 famine emergency.
2. Teacher training and support for schools catering for 3500 children
3. Development of community school 'ownership' committees.
4. Rehabilitation of canals
5. Development of community committees promoting water management.
6. Distribution of seeds and tools to vulnerable families.
7. Digging of four new wells and the repair of more than a dozen in 1999.
Copyright © 2000 - 2001 Concern Worldwide US Inc. All rights reserved