Reinforcing Conflict-Mitigation Capacity
USAID, along with other donors, is encouraging Somali peace and reconciliation efforts at the local, regional and national levels. The work, carried out by three local affiliate ‘think tanks’, contributes to internal conflict resolution efforts, creates space for political dialogue, empowers the public to speak out regarding key issues and increases pressure on Somali political leaders to respect the rights and concerns of the people.
Promoting Civil Society
Civil society organizations perform a critical role by providing more access to social services such as education, income-generating activities, health services, food distribution and the provision of clean water, as well as being active in promoting peace. USAID’s staunch support is reflected in a civil society that is now flourishing, where previously none existed. USAID also supports political party development, leading to successful legislative elections in Somaliland on September 29, 2005. By electing a new parliament, Somaliland is completing its formal transition to elective democracy. It now has a constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by popular referendum, a democratically elected president and municipal governments and a parliament that is directly accountable to the people.
Improving Access to Essential Services
The estimated primary school enrolment rate in Somalia is only 20 percent. To assist the government in improving educational opportunities, USAID has rehabilitated 15 schools, helping to increase enrolment, and provided scholarships to young women from three different regions of Somaliland to attend a teacher education college. Representatives from USAID visited these young scholars’ home villages to encourage parents there to send their daughters to school. In addition, under the African Education Initiative, a girls’ scholarship program was launched in Somaliland and Puntland in late 2005 and is providing scholarships to 600 female students.
USAID also supports both urban and rural water development. It is currently in the process of developing a program that contributes to increased and sustainable access to water services for the populations of Bay, Bakool, Gedo, and Middle and Lower Juba, in particular to the urban and rural poor and other disadvantaged groups. Access to safe water contributes to improved household hygiene and better sanitation, leading to improved levels of health in the community.
In response to the ongoing drought in Somalia, USAID is providing emergency food aid supplies including cereals, pluses, vegetable oil and a corn-soya blend. The program includes drought response, food for work, food for teachers, school feeding, maternal and child health activities and support to TB and HIV patients. USAID also supports humanitarian assistance programs focused on health and nutrition as well as asset and livelihood recovery.