Somalia

At the outset, Norwegian People’s Aid concentrated its efforts on establishing and operating a regional hospital. Little by little the effort was expanded to include primary healthcare, water supply and education. We established more long-term projects in collaboration with local organisations, including projects to strengthen women’s position and stop genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation is widespread in Somalia and as many as 99 percent of women are exposed to its most extreme forms. The practice has serious and sometime fatal consequences and often results in life-long psychological traumas and high risk of disablement or birth-related complications.

 In collaborating with other international players in Somalia, Norwegian People’s Aid is responsible for monitoring the humanitarian situation in Sool and Sanaag. Today, Norwegian People’s Aid is the only international organisation in this area.

 In 2006 Norwegian People’s Aid made a decision to phase out its activities in Somalia. The healthcare institution was transferred to the local authorities and the long-term partnership was dissolved. However, we had to reverse our decision in 2007 when the region was hit by both serious draught and armed conflict between Puntland and Somaliland. Since 2007, Norwegian People’s Aid has concentrated its efforts on humanitarian assistance collaborating with local partners. We are focusing on securing the water supply to vulnerable households simultaneously with contributing to enforcing the infrastructure and wells through “cash-for-work”-based projects. In 2010, Norwegian People’s Aid’s future strategy in Somalia will be reviewed.