     timir g | Friday, October 13, 2000 - 08:32 am
Oxfam Country Programmes - Horn of Africa
Somaliland
Although the UN still
refer to Somaliland
as the North West
Zone of Somalia,
Oxfam and other
international
agencies are
increasingly
regarding Somalia
as composed of
three separate
blocks – Somaliland,
North East Somalia,
and Southern
Somalia. These
geographic blocks
are linked to the
former colonial
divisions imposed by
the British, French and Italians.The quest for sovereignty is a major
pre-occupation for the self-declared government of Somaliland, who are
not recognised nationally or internationally. They are pursuing official
recognition with the international community at every opportunity.
Despite the ravages of the war waged by the Siad Barre regime in the late
1980s and early 1990s, and the later inter-clan fighting, most areas of
Somaliland are now enjoying an atmosphere of peace and stability. A
vibrant new economy is emerging through the commercial sector, and
the latest satellite communication technology has been installed.
While it is encouraging that Somaliland can no longer be considered to
be in a state of emergency, there are still huge rehabilitation needs to be
met. Drought prone areas in Somaliland give rise to concern every year,
and require long term initiatives. There is widespread recognition that the
momentum for rebuilding the country has to come from within, as foreign
assistance and donor interest are limited.
Oxfam’s programme
Oxfam has been working in Somaliland since 1991, initially addressing
the immediate emergency needs of refugees returning from Ethiopia,
and then shifting to rehabilitation work in Woqoyi Galbeed where many of
the returnees settled. As the country stabilised it became more
appropriate for Oxfam to support longer-term development projects,
helping communities to seek their own solutions to problems. In January
1998 a reformulated Rural Water Rehabilitation and Public Health
Programme was begun, which involves cost sharing with local
communities, rather than direct funding. Its relative success means
Oxfam will use this approach for other programmes, to help them to
become independent of Oxfam’s assistance.
Oxfam’s programme includes:
enabling Oxfam’s programme staff to increase their impact, by
providing practical training in community development, public
health, data collection, and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
The aim of PRA is to shift the leadership of development projects,
and as much of the research work as possible, from visiting
"experts" to local people
supporting the authorities in carrying out an assessment of food
shortages and human along with livestock suffering in the drought
prone areas of eastern Somaliland, in collaboration with other
non-governmental organisations and UN agencies. Oxfam’s
contribution includes logistics and technical advice
undertaking a study in Somaliland that will lead to the
development of an integrated programme in Galbeed and
Toghdeer Regions. This will focus on social services (water and
health), livelihoods (animal health and income-generation
activities), and helping local non-governmental organisations to
promote their own development programmes. |
