Somaliland

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In Somaliland, Handicap International contributes to the social and economical development of vulnerable people. The activities implemented seek to promote disability prevention and to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities.

CONTEXT
Somaliland proclaimed its independence in May 1991, but is not recognised by the international community. Its revenue comes from the export of cattle, financial support from the Somali diaspora, and aid from the UN, the European Union and NGOs. The country has about 2 million inhabitants, of which more than 50% are nomadic. There has been an increase in the urban population as a result of the rural exodus and the repatriation of refugees from the camps in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

1992: established a rehabilitation centre in Hargeisa (HRC). Physiotherapy and orthopaedic training activities.

1994-2001: trained 4 physiotherapy assistants, 7 orthopaedic assistants and 2 psycho-motricity assistants within the HRC. Trained rehabilitation staff within the regional hospitals. Two HRC technical staff were sent to Tanzania to study. The centre is now self-reliant.

1997-2003: implemented project for rehabilitating the irrigation systems on small farms in the Berbera region (128 farms rehabilitated, agricultural training for farmers, support to community micro-projects).

2000-2003: mission in view of developing a project for the prevention of accidents due to landmines. Implementation, with Unicef, of a study on the knowledge, attitude and practices of the Somali population and of a mission to define a strategy and a project for mine risk education.

1998-2007: ongoing assistance to local associations working for the socio-economic inclusion of people with disabilities

1992-2007: continued promotion of the autonomy of the HRC as a provider of quality, sustainable rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in Somaliland.

ACTIVITIES

1) Reinforcement of rehabilitation services

• Reinforcement of the centre’s autonomy: self-management, financial resources, supply network, technical capacity building for the staff
• Support to the decentralisation of services in other regions of Somaliland (staff training, equipment for rehabilitation units)
• Organisation of disability awareness-raising sessions

About 4,500 people (victims of war, landmines, accidents and disabling diseases) have benefited from the services of the centre and the physiotherapy units in the regional hospitals. 52 professionals have received training in physiotherapy, orthopaedics and psychomotricity.

2) Promotion of the social inclusion of disabled people

• Technical and financial support to local organisations, technical and financial assistance for implementing social projects
• Support for the creation of a forum of organisations of people with disabilities
• Associations capacity building for the awareness and promotion of people with disabilities
• Reinforcement of traditional and formal legal systems to support the empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities
• Promotion of mainstreaming of disability into the activities of other development stakeholders

• Strengthening focused prevention interventions targeting migrant and permanent populations, with a specific focus on youth, in the targeted areas: Hargeisa, Togwaachale, and Berbera, and the settlements along the corridor between these three major towns
• Fostering testing, treatment and care in the targeted areas, by providing support to the following structures: Edna Maternity Hospital, Hargeisa TB Hospital and Hargeisa General Hospital
• Reinforcing expertises in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care at the regional level.

HUMAN RESOURCES
Our team is made up of 19 national staff and 4 international staff

CONTACTS
E-mail: hihargeisadp@yahoo.fr