Galgaduud - PROTECTING THE NEEDS OF IDPs AND HOST COMMUNITIES IN GURIEEL

Social Centres in IDP Camps are safe Havens for Women, Youth and Children.

IDP camps in Gurieel, Galgaduud Region – In December 2010 CISP completed a pilot project supporting more than 12,000 IDPs in 9 camps and a host community of 40,000 in Gurieel area. In 5 of the temporary settlements of Hagay, Ujuran, Ceel Cali Farah, Gaashan and Damanyoo CISP established, with UNHCR funds and the active involvement of the communities social centres and playgrounds as safe havens for women, youth and children. “They have become social aggregation spaces, where to meet, share every day issues and find solutions together. But also weddings are celebrated there” reports Halima, CISP coordinator in Gurieel. CISP utilized the space to sensitize the community on gender based violence, migration risks, the importance of child protection.

The initial plan to provide tends, was changed in consultation with the communities: instead shelters with traditional materials following the local architectonic models were built using a cash for work strategy. As a result, the project added a livelihood component that was highly appreciated by the local community and the stakeholders.

Through the Social centres, IDP and host community accessed referral services to health centres supported by CISP, counselling, support for the establishment of a community security system, NFIs for the most vulnerable etc. Additionally, they have attended trainings and received advice and tools on how to start IGAs (Income Generating Activities) such as baking bread and cloth making.

Galgaduud Region is one of the areas with highest influx of displaced people fleeing from conflict areas like Mogadishu, Hiran and other surrounding areas affected by conflicts and natural disasters. CISP has been running projects in the district since 1995 proving support in the health and nutrition, education and WASH sectors through its coordination bases in Dhusamareeb and Galkayo South.

A participatory assessment conducted in 2009 and 2010 in 13 IDP settlements around Gurieel highlighted the gravity of the conditions as well as the lack of a structured support. The population is affected by continued tensions due to the conflict over the control of the area between Al Sunna Wal Jama and Al Shabaab as well as the influx of more IDPs fleeing the drought in the South.

“Gurieel, as host community has always been supporting the IDPs surrounding the urban areas. Every Friday in the Mosque the community is requested to contribute, buy and distribute food and drinking water to the IDPs. Some koranic schools host children of IDP camps. Occasionally the women in town collect and distribute clothing for IDP children” (Zahra, Member of a local Women Group).

 Yet the efforts are not enough and the host community itself is severely affected by the continued crisis. Thus CISP’s initiative to develop an intervention that could strengthen the capacity of all groups to better address their protection and livelihood needs “It was a completely new experience for the IDPs ... an occasion to learn, participate in improving the living conditions, to accept the challenge for women and youth called to start a process of change” (Fatuma, CISP protection officer). After the success of the pilot project, CISP has been encouraged to continue supporting the initiative and to duplicate the idea of multifunctional centres in other 4 IDP camps around Gurieel, as well as in IDP camps around Abud Wak and Galkayo. The goal will be to enhance self help and healing mechanisms by supporting community based protection systems for the most vulnerable. The direct involvement of the host community in all moments of the initiative will remain a pillar of the strategy also in the continuation of the program envisaged for 2011.

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