SOMALIA: AMONG THE MOST COMPLEX AND
LONGSTANDING EMERGENCIES
SOMALIA: BACKGROUND
The downfall of President Siad Barre in January 1991 resulted in a power struggle and clan clashes in many parts of Somalia. In November, the most intense fighting since January broke out in the capital, Mogadishu, between two factions, one supporting Interim President Ali Mahdi Mohamed and the other supporting the Chairman of the United Somali Congress, General Mohamed Farah Aidid. Since then, fighting persisted in Mogadishu and spread throughout Somalia, with heavily armed elements controlling various parts of the country. Some declared an alliance with one or the other of the two factions, while others did not. Numerous marauding groups of bandits added to the problem.
The hostilities resulted in widespread death and destruction, forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes and causing a dire need for emergency humanitarian assistance. Almost 4.5 million people in Somalia,over half of the estimated population, were threatened by severe malnutrition and malnutrition-related disease, with the most affected living in the countryside.
The humanitarian crisis in Somalia is among the most complex and longstanding emergencies. While large-scale famine has been averted in 2017, the humanitarian impact of the drought has been devastating. More than 6.2 million people, half of the current estimated population, are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
HIJRA IN SOMALIA
HIJRA is a neutral, non-partisan organization. Our mandate as a humanitarian actor is to alleviate human suffering. Our founding roots are in Somalia and as such we have in depth knowledge of the dynamics of the Somali social, cultural and political situation. Many of our field staff are drawn from IDP and host communities and they possess a profound understanding of the problems being faced in the targeted communities and also a deep commitment to the achievement of our programme goals and objectives.
HIJRA continues to partner and collaborate with targeted communities through their leadership structures with the aim of facilitating their ownership of projects. The close ties with the community coupled with the implementation of internal HIJRA security plans and procedures will not only ensure the safety and security of staff and community members but also of Projects in Somalia as a whole.
SECTORS IN FOCUS
WATER SANITATION & HYGIENE (WASH)
Working to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services, while building the capacity to manage WASH interventions at the community level.
LIVELIHOODS
Working to ensure that each person has the tools and choice to live in a secure and dignified manner.
HEALTH
Working to deliver quality health care services to vulnerable communities in Somalia and ensure their overall well-being.
NUTRITION
We are working to improve access and utilization of basic nutrition services (prevention and treatment) to vulnerable and affected populations, targeting children and pregnant lactating women to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality linked with acute malnutrition.