LIFE Helps Build Wells in Somalia
We have been working with partners on the ground in Somalia to dig for wells in rural communities. Many of the people living in the areas are returning from refugee camps such as Dadaab.
In the Farhan Camp there are 137 families and many of them have helped take part in digging the well. Yahye, the chairman of the camp, thanked us for helping bring clean water to their village. He said, “My happiness can’t conclude here, but I would like to thank you for this well. It is useful for many people living in this camp and we wish for more.”
Farhan Camp
Farhan Camp
In Khalid Camp there are over 91 families, and many of them also helped dig the well. Hilawle, the governor of the camp, said he was happy for this opportunity. I am pleased for this program and the water is necessary for life. We all think we will be ok when the water is ok, and I will wish for another aids like this foundation.”
Khalid Camp
Khalid Camp
Ahmed Receives Wheelchair, Dignity Restored!
Ahmed has been crippled for 15 years. He did not have a wheelchair so he would crawl on the ground in order to get around or he had to depend on someone else to take him places. Ahmed is 45 years old and received a wheelchair for the first time. He also received a special-made toilet. Our partners said that by giving Ahmed a wheelchair and toilet tailored to his needs that we were giving him the opportunity to a dignified life.
Somali Nursing Students Distribution Nutritious Rice in Somaliland
The nursing students from the Amoud Health Science faculty conduct family visits in the community. This semester they have been going to an area where people have returned to live after being in Ethiopia. During the war they fled from Somaliland to Ethiopia and now they have come back. In this specific area are the poorest of the poor.
In the initial visit from the nursing students they took a family health assessment where they assessed the nutritional status (MUAC assessment tool) of the children under five. In this specific area they found that some of the families who had children were malnourished or in danger of malnutrition. Some of the families could not provide three meals a day for their children. The students brought nutritious rice packages to give out to the families.
In Borma there is an orphanage with about 90 children between the of 3 and 16. The students went there to talk about health education and spend time with the children. They delivered also delivered one box of nutritious rice for the children.
Inside an IDP Camp: Water Filters
LIFE International has provided 85 water filters and containers to the inhabitants of Muhammed Moge IDP camp.
Local Initiatives for Education (LIFE) has provided 85 water filters and containers to the inhabitants of Muhammed Moge IDP camp. These filters consist of a 0.1 micron absolute hollow fiber membrane filter that removes 99% of all bacteria and 99% of all protozoa. It cleans at about 1 liter per minute. No replacement filter or cartridge is necessary and cleaning can be done by backwashing the filter with the provided syringe.
We provided the 80 leaders of groups of 20 families each with a water filter so that the whole camp will have access to a filter. The filter was not given to the leader alone, but to the 20 families together. The extra 5 filters were given to the clinic and the market place.
The training was very well accepted and the leaders responded well. We trust that this will make a difference in the camp and especially in the lives of the many children.
Nure Ali is a 75-year-old Somalilander who lives in the camp. He has 2 wives, but only 10 of his 18 children are still alive. He was elected as a leader amongst the 20 families of Somaliland who live close to him. Some of his children do house chores for other families to help provides for the family. “Water is life and the filter will help us stay healthier,” he said.
Farhia Hussein is a professional nurse from Southern Somalia. She left Mogadishu after her husband was killed in the fighting. She has 5 children and is volunteering in the makeshift clinic. There are more than 100 people visiting the clinic on a daily basis and one of the biggest problems is diarrhea due to lack of hygiene. She is very thankful for the filters and believes that it will make a difference in the camp.
Sara is a strong lady, but the sorrow is evident as she tells us her story. About 7 months ago, as a new flare of violence broke out over Mogadishu, she and her husband (with their 9 kids) fled. As they were running away, her husband was injured and she had to leave him behind. “I’m not sure if he is still alive,” she explained. The journey (1500km) to Hargeisa took more than a month for her and the children (between ages 3 and 17). Sometimes they got a ride, but for most of the journey they had to walk. She stayed in Hargeisa for 2 months before she moved to the camp.
Distribution to Fire Victims
At the beginning of March 2013 a fire ignited amongst the makeshift houses of the internally displaced people (IDP) camp near State House in Hargeisa
At the beginning of March 2013 a fire ignited amongst the makeshift houses of the internally displaced people (IDP) camp near State House in Hargeisa. The fire quickly spread consuming the houses and belongings of 109 families. Initially there was a response from several aid and non-governmental organizations; however, by the middle of March the assistance had come to a stand-still.
Upon hearing of the situation, we at LIFE decided that we must do something to further assist the victims of the fire with the little remaining items that we have in storage. With an assortment of clothing and shoes, we put together 109 packages consisting of 11 items, 3 pairs of shoes and 8 articles of clothing.
In coordination with the Ministry of Resettlements Rehabilitations and Reconstructions (MRR&R), we organized the distribution of the packages to take place on the 9th of April. On that day, a representative from each of the 109 families came to the office of MRR&R where they received their package. The people were happy and excited to receive their gift of shoes and clothes.
Zamzam Ahan Dubeh and her two children sit in the MRR&R compound after being given their package of shoes and clothing. They have been in the IDP camp for 5 months.
Mohamed Amal is married and has 3 children. He is a chemistry teacher and speaks English, yet he also has been forced to move into the IDP camp due to the recent heavy rains. Now, his temporary settlement at the camp has been burned down.
Kahar Jama has been living in the IDP camp for the last 22 years. She moved there at the beginning of the civil war.
Southern Somalia Relief Efforts
In response to the drought that wreaked havoc in the Horn of Africa
In response to the drought that wreaked havoc in the Horn of Africa, we have donated 40 boxes of medical supplies, 20 boxes of assorted clothes and shoes, and 500 boxes of MannaPack Fortified Rice, while SCC/UNICEF donated 500 buckets of 20 litres of capacity and soap. Each beneficiary was given one box of MannaPack Fortified Rice, three pieces of soap, a bucket for water, and shoes and clothing.
With our partners, we distributed 6.95 metric tons of food relief consisting of cereal, pulses, vegetable oil and corn soya blend and distributed it to 500 children living in IDP camps in the Hodon district.
Halima Ayow Abbow, a 38-year-old mother with four children displaced from Dedmay village of Barava district is a widow whose husband was murdered in 2010. As she told us in tears, armed groups belonging to Alshabab Militia that controlled the area took him from his home to an unknown prison. The group accused him of being spy and after two months in their custody they sentenced him to be beheaded and his body thrown in the street.
Halima had eight children with no one to assist her in raising them. She said that she recently lost one of her sons on the way to Mogadishu due to famine. “I didn’t have anything to feed him and we were lacking food for six consecutive days so I took my children here to Mogadishu but we still didn’t eat for over 24 hours.”
In a mixed mood of sadness and relief of the past ordeals, Halima expressed her gratitude to those who donated the nutritious food and other items for her children.
