Transcript Document 7840775

Who we are
Somali Progressive Association is Charity
founded in 1986.
 Wales Somaliland Communities Link is a project
managed by the Somali Community through the
Somali Progressive Association and is funded by
the Welsh Assembly Government.
 The project is known as the Wales Somaliland
Community Link
WSCL Aims
• Promote and arrange the linking of Welsh
Communities where Somalis live with a
communities in Somaliland of a similar size
to tackle the MDGs
• Promote and arrange the linking of schools,
universities (faculties) and hospitals in
Wales with those in Somaliland.
WSCL Aims
• Promote and arrange ways in which the
voluntary sector in Wales can partner with
the voluntary sector in Somaliland as part
of ‘Global partnership for Development’
• Create a better understanding of
development issues within both
communities.
• Facilitate community cohesion through
working in partnership with Agencies.
Wales Somali Community - Diaspora
 What is a Diaspora Community?
“ A Diaspora is a self –identified ethnic group,
with a specific place of origin, which has been
globally dispersed through voluntary or forced
migration”
(Dr Steven Vertovec university of Oxford)
Wales Somali Community - Diaspora
The Somali Community presence in
Wales is well over a hundred years.
Somali men served in World War 1 & 2
and the Falklands
The Somali Communtiy previously were
predominantly seaman and factory
workers.
The Somali Community is estimated to
be over 10,000
Wales Somali Community - Diaspora
 The Somali Diaspora makes a major
contribution to the Somali Economony and
livelihoods through remittances and
humanitarian assistance.
 The Somali Diaspora is the major investor in
the country and provides 80% of the start up
capital for small & medium enterprises
 The composition of the community have
changed from predominately seamen to men
and women with professional skills e.g..
Doctors, Lawyers and Community
Champions
WHERE IS SOMALILAND
Somaliland is about the size of England
and Wales with an area of 137,600km²
(68,000 sq. miles).
Somaliland is situated in the Horn of
Africa
It shares borders with Djibouti, Ethiopia
and Somalia
The map
SOMALIA
SOMALILAND
The Map of Somaliland
General Information
Languages: Somali is the official
language. English & Arabic are also widely
spoken.
The capital is Hargeisa with a population
of 1.00 million.
The other main towns are: Burao, Borama,
Berbera (main port), Erigabo and Las
Anod.
A Brief History
 Somaliland was under British rule from 1884
until June 26th 1960 . The country was then
known as British Somaliland. It was a
Protectorate.
 Independence was gained June 26th 1960.
Somaliland was admitted to the UN and was
recognized by 35 countries in the first week prior
to joining the former Italian Somalia on 1st July
1960 to form the Somali Republic. No act of
union signed.
A Brief History (contd.)
 The union between the Somalia & Somaliland
did not work and led to a civil war between 1980
and ended 18th May1991.
 After the collapse of the Somali Republic, the
people of Somaliland decided to withdraw from
the union with Somalia and reinstate
Somaliland’s sovereignty. An internationally
monitored referendum on the constitution
confirmed the people’s wish to re-gain their
independence was held 31st May 2002.
The Economy
 The backbone of the economy is livestock.
 Remitances from Somalilanders living abroad
play also a big role in the economy.
= ½ Million
3 Million
317 Thousand…
3 ½ Million
7 ½ Million!
HEALTH SITUATION IN SOMALILAND
 The Civil war has virtually destroyed Somaliland's
infrastructure. Including the Health Institutions. Nurses,
doctors and primary health workers were either killed or
displaced internally or externally.
Health indicators in Somaliland
 Somali women have one of the worlds highest
Maternal Mortality rates 16 women out or every 1000
die during child birth – every year almost 4000
women die in childbirth
 Somali children have one of the least chances of
survival – 1 in 8 babies die before the age of 1 and 1
in 5 children die before the age of five.
 Life expectancy is only 48 years
HEALTH SITUATION IN SOMALILAND
 The Civil war has virtually destroyed
Somaliland's infrastructure. Including the Health
Institutions. Nurses, doctors and primary health
workers were either killed or displaced internally
or externally.
 Rebuilding the Health Infrastructure
 Support – raising money to send to the hospitals
 Equipment
 Volunteers
 Medication
 Raising Awareness
Barriers to Linking
 Language / culture
 Security e.g. Foreign Office Advice
 Insurance cover and costs
 Visa issues for reciprocal visits
 Communication e.g. No postal Service
 Financial and Technical Issues
 Over stretched key staff in partner organisations
Benefits to Linking
 Promote understanding of different situation and
challenges
 Create mutual learning between both countries
 Help communities to learn form each other
 Encourage awareness between different cultures
 Share professional experiences
 Contribute to Global citizenship and Interdependent
 Break down stereotypes
 Create activity within the curriculum
 Develop critical thinking skills
 Contribute to the MDGs achievements
Wales Somaliland is supported by Rt. Hon. G. Brown, MP , UK Prime
Minister and Secretary Of State for Wales ,Rt. Hon. Peter Haine
Rt. Hon. Mr. Michael, MP and Rt. Hon. Mr. Morgan, AM Addressing
Wales SL. Conference 2008
Wales Somaliland Link Director Addressing Joint Session s of UK/Somaliland MPs
in the attendances is Lord Mallac_ Brown – UK Minister for Africa
Wales Somaliland Director and Chairman with Rt. Hon. Mr. Michael,MP,
Rt. Hon. Milliband, Rt. Hon. Morgan,AM and Lorrainee Barrtte,AM
Wales Somaliland Is Supported by H.E . Dahir Riyale Kahin and Rt. Hon.
Abdillahi Duale, Somaliland Foreign Minister
Wales Somaliland Visiting Team Addressing Specially Convened
Hargesia Municipality Council
Wales Somaliland Community Link
Somaliland Health Minister with Partners in Wales
WELCOME TO A GREAT PARTNERSHIP
Wales Somaliland Community Link - WSCL
Tel – 02920 499916
Mr. Abdikarin Abdi Adan / Diane Lewis
[email protected]
[email protected]