Document provided by ReliefWeb<http://www.reliefweb.int/>
Source: United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Date: 16 Dec 1996

1996/1997 United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Somalia

Appealing Agency: World Health Organization

Activity: Essential drugs promotion and training

Code: SOM96-97-1/N12A

Target Population: Northwest and Northeast Somalia

Implementing Agency: WHO

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objectives: To support the enforcement of a limited list of essential drugs for Somalia and a better use of available drugs

Funds Requested: US$ 216,240

Summary:

Essentially every large village and certainly all cities in Somalia have a number of private shops selling drugs. These private entrepreneurs often have little or no knowledge of the drugs they are selling openly to the public, and no knowledge of the storage and environmental conditions necessary for the safe keeping of these items.

Recent laboratory analysis has confirmed the sale of two imported sub-potent anti-TB drugs in two cities in Somalia. These anti-TB drugs were imported into Somalia without the usual required certificates and quality assurance measures. Although WHO continues to test locally-available drugs for efficacy, given current conditions in Somalia, it would be impossible to monitor all drugs entering the country. The continued availability of sub-potent anti-TB and anti-malarials in Somalia is clearly an invitation to disaster, since they generate drug resistance strains.

Somali people, humanitarian organisations and the world community stand to benefit from this project through the enforcement of a limited list of essential drugs for Somalia and a better use of those that are available. As a quality improvement programme, its implementation will produce significant cost savings for all, through a better use of a smaller range of essential drugs in Somalia.

WHO will continue to provide technical support for the development and implementation of an Essential Drugs List in Coordination with UNICEF, international NGOs and Somali health professionals. The training of an area pharmacist and medical staff in the rational use of drugs is well known to be a cost-effective mechanism in reducing the use of more expensive and ineffective drugs. Adherence to the agreed Essential Drugs List will yield substantial savings for NGOs and UN Agencies, while assuring the Somali population of access to needed items.

In-service training courses on the rational use of drugs and good prescription practices will be organised for health workers. The draft modules on rational use of drugs at PHC levels have been field tested and this training module will be finalized and employed under the project.

Additional activities include routine surveys of the range, price and origin of drugs in the private market, including those being imported by UN Agencies and NGOs with a view to developing a suitable sustainable drug supply system at all levels. Periodic and routine quality control tests of essential drugs obtained in Somalia will continue and quarterly reports on all suspected drugs will be published.

As part of this strategy, suitable and qualified professionals, including NGO national staff will be sponsored to attend management meetings, courses and other training courses in order to enhance their capacity in promoting the rational use of drugs. A clinical pharmacologist will continue the development of the essential drugs listing for Somalia, including standard treatment schedules and protocols. The continued services of pharmacists to promote Essential Drug Concepts (EDC) in Northwest Somalia will provide the needs of technical assistance to the area under development. Strategies to be used will include improving the management of scarce resources, promoting the rational use of drugs and developing human resources.

In the Northeast Region, there will be very active efforts to promote the rational use of drugs through the training of various cadres of health service providers, including operators of private pharmacies. This method will also be applied in other parts of the country, where the security situation is stable. ARC, in collaboration with WHO, will provide training in Afmadow to pharmacy operators. A UNV Pharmacist will assist WHO/Somalia's Resident Short-Term Professional Pharmacist in this effort.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Clinical Pharmacologist for six months including within country travel

76,000

UNV pharmacist for one year

45,000

Finalisation, publication, and promotion of the Essential Drug List for Somalia

24,000

In-service training for 225 pharmacy operators and medical doctors in 15 location in Somalia

45,000

Testing available drugs in Somalia for efficiency

14,000

Programme support costs at six percent

12,240

TOTAL

216,240

Appealing Agency:World Health Organization

Activity: Expansion and support to village level self help efforts to meet their own Basic Minimum Needs (BMN)

Code: SOM96-97-1/N12B

Target Population: Lower Shabelle, Mogadishu, Northwest and Northeast Somalia

Implementing Agencies:WHO, UNICEF, FAO, UNESCO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), NGOs

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objectives: To promote self-reliance and self-dependance for sustainable health under crisis and transitional conditions.

Funds Requested: US$ 424,000

Summary:

Under normal conditions and in disasters, community based programmes are not only the most effective, efficient and cost effective but they are often the only ones which are sustainable.

BMN was tested in Somalia since 1987: the project was first initiated in one village in Merca District and was followed by an expansion process. Today 51 villages are carrying different micro development projects on the basis of the BMN approach in the Lower Shabelle region. In these 51 villages, 80 income generating projects of collective ownership are being implemented. These include a variety; agriculture, limestone, handicraft, bee keeping, fishery, clay pots, dairy products, poultry, local traditional shoe- making and sewing of mosquito bed nets. From these income generating projects, the total input of financial resources was US$ 29,185 of which US$ 12,322 was a loan without interest from WHO and the rest was community local funding. The generated output was US$ 166,210. A considerable portion of the profit is invested in social services such as the rebuilding of destroyed health posts, schools, wells and charity to refugees from other areas of the country. Since BMN is multi-sectoral in nature, partnership of agencies is crucial. WHO plans to expand the BMN projects in other areas of Somalia:

The BMN approach has been proven to accelerate the implementation of the Health for All by the year 2000 strategy and ensures its achievements. BMN villages are organised to permit themselves to first identify their own priority basic needs. These villages will be then supported to develop and implement strategies to meet these needs by their own efforts.

Despite the long civil war, the local communities which have been organised along the BMN concept, succeeded to eagerly defend, maintain and bring forward their development efforts through a clear sense of collective ownership, self help and self management. BMN villages succeeded in maintaining themselves as islands of peace in areas hit by the civil war and banditry and in the transitional areas of Somalia. Although mainly thought to establish a sustainable health system through community financing and through community participation,the final outcome of this approach exceeds health to vital aspects of life in the war- torn Somali society. BMN projects cross the clan and political barriers to reunite a productive society.

A model BMN village and seven satellites have been established in Bon village near Hargeisa in the north-west region of Somalia. WHO in collaboration with other UN Agencies/NGOs is planning to replicate BMN in to five more villages in the district by the end of 1996.

·Two BMN model villages will be established and replication in six more neighboring villages by the end of 1997 in the north-east region has been planned. A team of seven Technical Support Team (TST) will be recruited for the BMN villages in the north-east of Somalia, starting with Laasa-Dawood and Eel-Dowfar villages.

·For these activities, WHO plans to continue the recruitment of National Professionals in each of the BMN project Regions (Lower Shabelle Region in Southern Somalia and Awdal Region in north-west Somalia) and eight more national professionals for the Hargeisa, Gabiley, and Berbera areas.

·A model BMN village will be established in Jowhar (Mogadishu area). For this, WHO will recruit seven National Professionals forming the Technical Support Team to implement PHC activities and undertake the replication of BMN to other neighboring villages.

Funds requested for the implementation of this project will result in, first twenty or more new BMN villages which are self-reliant and which have a higher health status. Such villages will provide and accumulate the experience, manpower, resources and form the infrastructure necessary for further expansion of the BMN approach to neighboring villages in the region and throughout the country.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Training of staff in three regions:

Training of new Village Development Committees (VDCs)

Training of new Cluster Representatives (CRs)

Training of new Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs)

Training of new Community Health Workers (CHWs)

50,000

Transport of staff within the three regions for implementation/supervision

10,000

Interest free loan for income generating schemes for three BMN cluster villages in three regions

250,000

Recruitment of national staff constituting teams of TST in three regions

90,000

Programme support cost at six percent

24,000

TOTAL

424,000

Appealing Agency: United Nations Children’s Fund

Activity: Programme communication

Code: SOM96-97-1/N13A

Target Population: Women, particularly heads of households, parents; school-age children

Implementing Agencies: UNICEF, in cooperation with all other agencies

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objective: To promote positive behaviour change in terms of critical health, nutrition, water, sanitation and basic education capacities at the household level and in terms of UNICEF’s capacity to understand and communicate these issues effectively.

Funds Requested: US$ 750,000

Summary:

In many areas of Somalia a fragile but real foundation has been laid for promoting local community-based services which have the potential to increase the quality of life of Somali families and strengthen their capacity to cope and promote the basic rights of children and women. To foster such positive behaviour changes in the areas of health, nutrition, water, sanitation and basic education, UNICEF proposes to invest in the two aspects of communication related to these areas: "listening" to the target populations and "speaking" to them with important messages. These activities imply work in improving our understanding of Somali knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to critical issues such as health care, the education of girls, and the use and sharing of water resources. This project will act as a back up for all UNICEF programmes and other health related projects by reinforcing the messages which promote positive behavior changes.

Schools, both primary and Koranic, will also be a conduit for improved health and hygiene practices, with teachers, health workers, local development committees, religious and clan leaders and elders also playing significant roles as change agents. UNICEF will support the establishment of community-based information systems on the basis of which community assessments and actions can be taken. In programme communication, an important channel for messages during the next year will be radio. The programmes will broadcast appropriate messages related in an integrated manner to all the sectoral programme objectives. Audience research data will be collected, and different modes of communication will be utilised and evaluated to improve upon and achieve the objectives of the project.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Knowledge, attitude, practice and belief surveys (sample and focus group, listener, readership)

100,000

Survey of best practices among NGOs for enhancing communication with women, community groups and community leaders

20,000

Development of communication capacities of field-based agencies: orientation, training, provision of supplies, equipment and support for multiple contacts with communities

280,000

Development and transmission of, and technical training for, radio broadcasts through the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Radio Voice of Peace and local stations

200,000

Programme support

150,000

TOTAL

750,000

Appealing Agency: United Nations Children’s Fund

Activity: Child-centred research, monitoring and evaluation

Code: SOM96-97-1/N13B

Target Population: Somali children and women

Implementing Agency: UNICEF

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objectives:To generate and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and information related to the situation of children and women;

To build the capacity of local administrations and communities to collect and use information.

Funds Requested: US$ 560,000

Summary:

UNICEF is in the process of preparing a situation analysis of children and women in Somalia, the first comprehensive such analysis undertaken since 1987. The process will involve local administrations, thereby building their capacity. The analysis will cover socio-cultural aspects of society, the economic and political situation, as well as the situation in health, nutrition, water, sanitation, household food security, education, gender issues and modes of communication. The work will involve a desk review of existing studies and documentation on Somalia. Primary quantitative and qualitative data may also be collected if required. It is expected that the resulting Situation Analysis of Children and Women in Somalia will be of significant benefit to all aid agencies, both international and local, working to promote social sector improvements, particularly those affecting women and children.

Concurrently, an approach for continuous monitoring of the situation of children and women in Somalia will be developed, based on the monitoring capacities of local administrations and of agencies involved in Somalia, particularly the UNDOS. An information base on children and women in Somalia will be maintained. Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) will be carried out in accessible areas of the country in order to capture key data in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, household food security and education. Results of such surveys, together with analysis of other kinds of information (such as routine monitoring of services delivered through health and educational facilities) will contribute to the understanding of the social sector and its changes.

Action-oriented research on socio-cultural and socio-economic factors, the inter-relationships among those factors, and their relation to and impact on behaviour and attitudes will be undertaken. The definition of specific research topics will be based on information gaps identified under the Situation Analysis, and on the circumstances prevailing in the country. This research will contribute to a more in-depth understanding of some of the key issues in Somalia affecting the well-being of children and women. An important aspect of this will be to obtaina better understanding of the causes underlying specific problems and to help in identifying viable and cost-effective means of addressing these problems.

As a specific case in point, it is proposed to conduct rapid surveys on the situation of FHH. During the Somali civil war and in its aftermath, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of such households. A 1996 UNICEF MICS in Northwest Somalia revealed that the proportion of FHH ranged from 22-52 percent. This project will assist in the development of appropriate interventions which respond to priority needs - through on-going projects implemented by UNICEF and other agencies. UNICEF will execute rapid surveys (using, in particular, focus group discussions) of FHH in the five operational zones of Somalia. The surveys will identify small-scale and realistic support actions to benefit communities - including those from which the focus group members came - in ways which are of special benefit to the FHH.

These interventions will form the basis for another, more in-depth assessment and analysis, resulting in a medium term (three-five year) plan for improving the situation of FHH in Somalia.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Situation analysis

50,000

Monitoring system on the situation of children and women

50,000

Rapid surveys (using, in particular, focus group discussions) of FHH in all zones

50,000

Research on socio-cultural, behavioural and socio-economic issues

150,000

MICS

100,000

Monitoring and evaluation technical staff

50,000

Programme support

110,000

TOTAL

560,000

Appealing Agency: United Nations Children’s Fund

Activity: Street children and orphans

Code: SOM96-97-1/N13C

Target Population: Street children and orphans in major urban areas

Implementing Agencies: UNICEF, in cooperation with NGOs

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objective: To assist local authorities, community leaders and orphanage managers to identify and respond to the problems of children living on the streets and orphanages.

Funds Requested: US$ 250,000

Summary:

A 1996 UNICEF preliminary assessment of children in especially difficult circumstances (CEDC) in Somalia revealed that street children in urban centres and children living orphanages face significant and particular problems. Given that the majority of children in Somalia can be classified as living under difficult circumstances, street children and orphans in Somalia constitute a particularly vulnerable and neglected group which cries out for humanitarian assistance. UNICEF proposes to continue to study the problems of street children and orphans in Somalia, to devise appropriate interventions and to monitor the situation.

Many Somali children have witnessed or been involved in periods of armed conflict and experiences of violence perpetrated against family members. Many have lost one or both parents. Often they have been abandoned, separated from their families or fostered by relatives within the extended family (clan). Some local authorities and community members have already taken the initiative of addressing the growing problem of street children.

Estimates of the number of street children in selected urban centres of Somalia are as follows:

Hargeisa

350


Boroma

200


Berbera

300


Bossasso

300


Kismayo

150


TOTAL

1,300

(not including Mogadishu)

It is almost certain that similar numbers of street children can be found in other urban centres, particularly Mogadishu, which could not be covered by the UNICEF survey due to insecurity. The total number of children on the streets is therefore much higher than 1,300.

Orphanages have existed in Somalia for many years. Many were established under the umbrella of UNOSOM but have since ceased functioning due to interruption of support and funds. Some local organisations are trying to rehabilitate disused orphanage premises to provide care to these vulnerable children.

Another aspect of the difficult circumstances faced by orphans is that of adapting to Somali society and conditions once they reach the age of having to leave the orphanages. Having lived comparatively sheltered lives within institutions, many of these children are unprepared for the harsh reality of having to survive without support. Problems related to integrating into their society can be one of the most traumatic experiences for a young adult.

UNICEF proposes to work with local authorities, community leaders and managers of orphanages (and similar institutions) to review the situation at the local level, identify appropriate actions and provide support in addressing these problems.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Reunification of lost children: tracing of families

50,000

Workshops for local authorities and community leaders

50,000

Review/study of the status of orphans and orphanages

20,000

Counselling for street children; development of sensitisation and training materials for schools, health clinics and local administrators

30,000

CEDC technical support (six months)

60,000

Programme support

40,000

TOTAL

250,000

Appealing Agency:United Nations Development Programme

Activity:Economic re-integration of former militia and other unemployed youth

Code: SOM96-97-1/N14A

Target Population:5,000-7,000 former militia and other youth in the Northwest, Northeast, Mudug and Galgadud.

Implementing Agency: UNOPS

Time Frame:October 1996 - December 1997

Objectives: To offer vocational and skills training to a selected group of former militia in order to promote, strengthen, and support processes of conflict-resolution, peace-building and socio-economic reintegration of the marginalised populations through economic revitalisation of local economies, leading to the enlargement of the choices of local communities and promotion of sustainable livelihoods.

To assist about 7,000 demobilised militia and other youth in different parts of the country, by providing training in specific skills (such as plumbers, carpenters, brick layers, masons) to increase their opportunities for self employment.

To provide basic tool kits to enable the trainees to become self-employed.

Funds Requested:US$ 1,997,495

Summary:

The problem of mainstreaming members of the militia in Somalia, including their reintegration and voluntary demobilisation, is not an insurmountable task, even in the absence of a framework of national reconciliation. The term "militia" encompasses a broad spectrum of young militia men, each involved for different reasons. One common reason for their involvement, whether they are faction militia or freelance, is the unlikelihood of their finding viable and sustainable livelihoods. The lack of employment opportunities has, in other words, prompted many Somali men to believe that in order to survive they have no alternative but the militia.

The militia is therefore not only a security and socio-political problem, but also an economic problem which besets Somali society. It is endemic and must be addressed urgently if any meaningful progress is to be achieved towards peace-building and socio-economic recovery of Somalia.

The challenge of the demobilisation and reintegration programmes would therefore be to present the militia with an alternative choice of a career or vocation whereby they can be gainfully employed to sustain themselves and their families without having to resort to arms and violence. The prospect of acquiring skills and becoming employed will be attractive to all, especially to the freelance militia and those who are at the periphery of the hard-core groups but would welcome an opportunity for another way of life.

In 1993 UNDP successfully contracted a Zimbabwean Advisory Team to support and provide assistance to the militia in Northwest Somalia to surrender their arms and to reintegrate themselves into civil society as well as to the "National Demobilisation Council (NDC)" in the implementation of a disarmament and demobilisation plan. It is intended, through this proposal, to continue providing assistance to help Somalia emerge out of emergency and conflict towards peace and development.

The essence of this programme is based on the premise that the pursuit of peace and development need not await the termination of the conflict. In other words, development strategies can enhance the search for peace and the resolution of conflict as there are periods even during conflict and strife in which the search for peace and development has to occur simultaneously. The proposal of employment can be a powerful factor in persuading communities not to resort to violence for their survival, and can thereby provide an enabling climate for reconciliation. The programme therefore proposes training in different skills as a means to remove obstacles and constraints limiting people’s choices and chances. The long-term aim is to alleviate poverty and establish peace. Even if the programme does not foster national reconciliation, the opportunity for gainful employment in itself reduces the number of men making themselves available to the militia, contributing thereby to local peace settlements. As long-term costs for society become larger if the militia are not reintegrated into civilian life, it would therefore be cheaper to reorient or redirect misused human resources for more productive socio-economic purposes and foster a sense of justice now, than to react to emergencies later.

The programme will identify a maximum of two or three areas in the country where demobilisation and training efforts hold promise. Demobilised youth will be offered training by international and national staff, including UNVs. During the course of the training, the trainees will be offered a food supplement (provided by WFP), and if possible some small amount of money for pocket use. At the end of the training programme, trainees will be given a basic tool kit, in line with their training, to enable them to begin their new lives outside of the militia.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

International Experts/Consultants

275,000

National professional project personnel (eight at US$ 1,300/month)

124,800

Administrative Support personnel (10 at US$ 300/month)

36,000

UNVs (four at US$ 3,714/month)

175,695

Mission costs/travel

58,000

Office/premises/vehicle rental

50,000

Training equipment

320,000

Tool kits

900,000

Miscellaneous

58,000

TOTAL

1,997,495

Appealing Agency:United Nations Development Programme

Activity:Conservation of marine resources off the coast of Somalia.

Code: SOM96-97-1/N14B

Target Population:Somalia

Implementing Agencies:UNDP, FAO

Time Frame:January - June 1997

Objectives: To systematically survey the major marine zones off the eastern Somali coast, determine the factual position with regard to marine wealth depletion and environmental degradation of Somali coastal waters, and to propose a concrete action plan to deal with the defined problems.

Funds Requested:US$ 500,000

Summary:

Somalia has a coastline of around 3,300 km of which 2,000 km are along the Indian Ocean and about 1,300 km along the Gulf of Aden.

Although very few systematic surveys of the marine species distribution and diversity along the Somali Cost have been done, it is clear that the marine resources off the coast are a major national wealth that needs to be conserved and protected, not only to serve as an important link in the food security chain, but also as a source of revenue (fishing fees) and income (from exports).

The annual fisheries production between 1980 and 1988 varied between a minimum of 8,730 MTs in 1992 and a maximum of 19,939 MTs in 1984. Results from research surveys indicate a much higher potential annual yield - anywhere between 200,000 and 300,000 MTs.

In the 1980s the Somali Government emphasised the development and conservation of fisheries, and set up institutional and monitoring mechanisms to achieve these objectives. However, with the collapse of the Somali state in the early 1990s, the institutions and much of the material infrastructure for planning and control of marine resources has been lost.

It is feared that in recent years, due to the absence of any licencing, monitoring and control, there has been unchecked and unregulated harvesting of marine wealth off the Somali coast by many of fishermen - both Somali and non-Somali. Overfishing, and the use of unsustainable harvesting practices may cause irreparable harm to the marine ecosystems. Furthermore, there have been reports of dumping of hazardous wastes and toxic materials off the coast of Somalia which may seriously damage the marine environment.

There appears to be an urgent need to take the steps necessary to conserve and protect this transnational resource. However, before this is done, it is necessary to systematically surveythe major marine zones off the Somali Coast, determine the factual position with regard to marine wealth depletion and environmental degradation off Somali coastal waters, and propose a concrete action plan to deal with the defined problems.

The proposed project aims at carrying out the above tasks. The coast of Somalia bordering the Gulf of Aden has recently been surveyed under a UNDP/Global Environment Facility (GEF) regional activity; hence this project will focus on the Somali coast bordering on the Indian Ocean. It is proposed that the project activities be subcontracted to a suitable institution/organisation specialised and experienced in this technical area, preferably with work experience in the western Indian Ocean. Some allocations will also be made for renting or leasing of air and sea transportation, which will be required to undertake the survey.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Subcontract

300,000

Hiring of air and sea transportation

150,000

Miscellaneous

50,000

TOTAL

500,000

Appealing Agency: United Nations Development Programme

Activity: Governance support and field coordination

Code: SOM96-97-1/N14C

Target Population: UN Agencies and their beneficiaries in major areas of operation in Somalia

Implementing Agencies: UNDP, in collaboration with other UN Agencies

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objective: To ensure the timely provision of support from the international community to local administrative structures in Somalia

To facilitate and strengthen coordination of UN System activities and operations at the field level in Somalia

Funds Requested: US$ 700,000

Summary:

To facilitate and improve inter-agency coordination at the field-level in Somalia, the UNCT in 1995 established the practice of designating one UN Agency official as its focal point in each area of operation within the country. The focal points have been selected on a rotating basis from among the senior field representatives of the UN Agencies. The functions of the UNCT focal point have included, inter alia, facilitating the collection and exchange of relevant information, acting as a consensus-builder among the UN Agencies with regards to operational strategies, and liaising with local authorities with a view to reaching solutions to common problems. The UN field-coordination modality invites the involvement of international NGOs, whenever feasible.

Since the collapse of the Somalia central government in 1990, a number of local administrations have been established based on geographical regions and districts. These local authorities have different levels of capability with regards to carrying out administrative functions in the regions and districts. The international community has expressed its determination to support the evolution of these organs without prejudice to the need for an eventual national government. UNDOS, a UNDP project, is to play a major role in the pooling of resources and the planning of assistance to these local administrative structures.

In order to more directly support these local structures and to ensure coordination of efforts at the operational level, it is envisaged that UNDP on behalf of the UN System will in 1997 post international officers to fulfill the role of senior advisors and assistant resident area coordinators in areas of major UN presence within Somalia. This will be undertaken in the context of the emphasis UN Agencies have put on the area-based programme approach.

The objective of this project is two-fold:

a) to manage at the operational level the support of the international community towards the strengthening of capacity of local counterparts and to ensure coordinated interaction with local authorities; and

b) to work towards a stronger integration of programmes and activities and smoother functioning and more cost-efficient efforts of the international aid community.

The proposed scheme would strengthen the existing UNCT focal point field-coordination modality, enabling it to foster a division of responsibilities among UN and other aid agencies. It is therefore envisaged that this proposal would in some cases provide assistance to existing focal point officers and in other cases would entail appointment of direct area coordinators. For 1997, UNDP is seeking to post three such assistant resident area coordinators in Hargeisa, Bossaso and, depending on the development of the local situation, in Kismayo or Mogadishu.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Assistant Resident Area Coordinator (Hargeisa)

110,000

Assistant Resident Area Coordinator (Bossaso)

110,000

Assistant Resident Area Coordinator (Mogadishu or Kismayo)

110,000

Operational costs for Assistant Resident Area Coordinators

370,000

TOTAL

700,000

Appealing Agency: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Activity: Radio programme on Culture of Peace

Code: SOM96-97-1/N15A

Target Population:Somali population inside Somalia, in refugee camps and the Somali diaspora

Implementing Agency: UNESCO

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objectives: To contribute to the dialogue and confidence-building as a prerequisite to any rehabilitation and sustainable development;

To stimulate development-oriented behaviour through the wide dissemination of information on reconciliation and reconstruction initiatives and activities;

To enhance the participation of the grassroots, and especially "the forces of peace" such as women, elders and moderate religious leaders, in decision-making and opinion-building; and

To offer non-formal educational programmes.

Funds Requested: US$ 223,000

Summary:

The civil war in Somalia destroyed all the media and communication enterprises existing in the country before the collapse of the Somali state, namely, the TV network, the two radio stations, the two daily newspapers, several weekly and monthly periodicals, and the central printing and publishing agency. During the past five years a number of local papers and small radio stations have emerged. However, the vast majority of these are clan-owned medias, mostly concerning themselves with the sensational everyday news of clan-based local interest and conflicts. Thus, the lack of cross-clan communication and exchange of ideas has become a key issue in Somali society.

Radio, which is the most flexible and popular medium of mass communication in Somalia, still remains the most cost-effective means of filling the vacuum which has existed since the destruction of national medias. Radio is also the appropriate response for the Somali society which is characterised by oral culture and a very low level of literacy (despite the introduction of the Somali alphabet in 1972, followed by a massive literacy campaign).

In Somalia there is much affinity for discussion and dialogue, as well as a remarkable amount of oral literature, particularly in the area of poetry which is traditionally the major vehicle for the conveyance of ideas. What is heard on the radio, if interesting, becomes material forhabitual discussion that is an important part of Somali life. A radio programme is therefore a very effective way of disseminating information and ideas on a wide range of subjects.

By providing people with the opportunity to express themselves and to hear the thoughts of others, radio fosters linkages between people which are vital to reconciliation and co-existence, as well as the interaction and cooperation essential to development. It can help to provide education and stimulate dialogue and movement towards consensus on issues of common interest such as free movement and commerce, which is important to large sectors of the Somali population.

The potential of radio goes far beyond awareness. As indicated by the results of the UNICEF-supported radio programmes for Somalia, it can also play a major role in motivation and social mobilisation for development. Its use in expanding an understanding of the rights, contribution and potential of women, can help their empowerment, as shown in UNESCO’s on-going radio experience in El Salvador. Radio can provide an important channel for humanitarian and development agencies and NGOs to make an input into development through the presentation of programmes on reconstruction issues. It can assist development agencies and NGOs as a vehicle for grassroots participation through involvement of community leaders and others.

The need for radio programmes in Somalia to play a key role in the peace-building process is a permanent request of Somali peace promoters and was strongly expressed through a number of meetings on Somalia organised by UNESCO and other agencies. The Sana’a symposium (April 1995) underlined the importance of that medium to reinforce the voice of the "forces of peace" in the country, while the recent conference in Addis Ababa (June 1996) concretely recommended the creation of a media unit for the production of audio-visual programmes on peace issues. Recognising the high cost of radio transmission equipment, the participants in the Addis Ababa Conference agreed to focus their request on the production of programmes and to seek collaboration with existing media facilities in the country (community broadcast systems, in the region, and elsewhere in the world.

This project aims at creating a production unit in Somalia or in neighbouring countries for the elaboration of a daily programme on reconciliation, peace and development issues to be broadcast through radio stations easily accessible to Somalis inside and outside the country. It also aims at constituting a network of Somalia-based stringers and correspondents to collect information and facilitate the participation of grassroot communities in the content of the programme. A mid-term review of the radio programme will be conducted to re-assess the programme needs in the light of the evolving situation.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Studio equipment

103,000

Recording and editing materials

50,000

HF outside recording link system

45,000

Raw materials

8,000

Programme production

105,000

Staff costs

50,000

Collection of programme material

20,000

Travel costs

10,000

Routine operational costs: institutional fees, communications, telephone, fax costs

20,000

Mid-term programme assessment

5,000

Supplies

15,000

Real-to-real professional tapes

10,000

Audio-tapes

5,000

TOTAL

223,000

Appealing Agency: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Activity: Curriculum development, training and resource centres

Code: SOM96-97-1/N15B

Target Population: Somalis in-country and in refugee camps in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen

Time Frame: October 1996 - December 1997

Objective: Rehabilitation of Somalia’s educational sector

Funds Requested: US$ 565,000

Summary:

UNESCO is the lead agency for education in Somalia. It coordinates the educational initiatives of all operational UN Agencies, international and local NGOs and local educational authorities (where they exist) in Somalia. Its achievements since 1993 may be summarised as follows:

*Reintroduction of a standardised curriculum and provision of textbooks and teacher guides to primary schools; teacher guides and teacher training/adult literacy booklets copy-printed within Somalia. The situation with regard to primary textbooks and teacher guides is now better than before the civil war.

*Teacher Emergency Package (TEP): Production and distribution of TEP and other innovative curricular materials now adapted for use in other countries.

*Teacher training: Conducted over 100 teacher training workshops; SOMOLU offers an in-service teacher training diploma in several centres; in coordination with UNICEF, the Training of Trainers (TOT) programme is being organised at the regional level.

*Education for peace: Three meetings of Somali intellectuals on the Culture of Peace in Sana’a, Paris and Addis Ababa. Multimedia peace campaign involving a road-show; the same distributed in the form of low-cost video and audio tapes and comic strips; a Somali peace songs video; peace education curricular package at the primary level.

*Health education, environmental education : A complete set of primary-level health education books; in collaboration with WHO, booklets, posters and stickers on cholera, polio and HIV/AIDS awareness and a low-cost video on polio; a primary-level environmental education package in Somali and English being field tested.

*Mine awareness: A road-show and kit which includes a low-cost video.

*School data collection: In collaboration with UNDOS, data collection has been completed in Bay, Middle Shabelle, Bari, Nugal and Mudug; it is being extended to other regions.

*School sustainability experiments supported by EC-Somalia in Nugal, Bay and Bakool; a study on the financing of primary education in Somalia.

*Refugee education in Somali refugee camps in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen.

*Somalia secondary and tertiary education feasibility study.

Two main services provided by UNESCO PEER to the target population directly or through its partners are Curriculum Development and Training. These services are delivered by the EDCs and SOMOLU. EDCs have a production capacity and provide all of the services mentioned earlier. Currently, the EDCs in Mogadishu and Hargeisa are operational; the EDC in Garowe is expected to come on stream shortly, and the Baidoa EDC will be reactivated once the security situation there improves. As the provision of education in the whole country and the refugee camps currently depends on the EDCs and as these centres will prove to be an invaluable resource to a would-be Ministry of Education in Somalia, there is need to strengthen these centres with human and material resources and to subsidise the service currently offered.

SOMOLU offers an in-service teacher training diploma programme and an adult literacy course and will soon offer a secondary level open learning package to demobilised youth, teachers, health workers and others. Access to SOMOLU is now severely limited and there is urgent need to start SOMOLU centres in more places and help them evolve into open-access community resource centres where one will find:

*Curricular and pedagogical materials and a conducive atmosphere to consult them.

*Equipment to have copies made of such materials.

*Opportunities to discuss and share knowledge, information and concerns with trainers.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Budget Item

US$

Education Development Centres

275,000

Incentives for writers, typists, graphic artists, printers and trainers

150,000

Replacement/servicing of old equipment and purchase of new equipment

50,000

Consumables (paper, ink, etc) for the production teacher guides, etc., in the EDC print-shops

75,000

SOMOLU

290,000

Creation of secondary level open learning materials in Somali

100,000

New SOMOLU training cum resource centres (five centres at US$ 30,000)

150,000

Upgrading of existing SOMOLU centres (four centres at US$ 10,000)

40,000

TOTAL

565,000

back to volume II table of contents


<TOP>
Return to: ReliefWeb Home Page
Email ReliefWeb at: <comments@reliefweb.int>