Somalia

Mohamed - building for peace in Somalia

Mohamed with other participants in the workshop on community mobilization skills towards peace.

Photo by: AFSC partner

Mohamed

Youth in Galkayo are the most affected in the situation of war, anarchy and poverty which made us vulnerable to manipulation to engage in armed conflict with cash inducements and promises of a better future...

Mohamed - building for peace in Somalia

Mohamed with other participants in the workshop on community mobilization skills towards peace.

Photo by: AFSC partner

AFSC has enabled people to come together and gain skills to strive for peace with one another. In one project, the Galkayo Community Peace Promotion, AFSC works in partnership with the Puntland Minority Women Development Organization (PMWDO). This is in the north eastern part of the greater Somalia, a placed called Puntland.

We [were] able to identify some of the creative ways through which youth can be mobilized and catalyzed to renew their commitment towards the promotion of peace

Fetching Water at Dadaab

Refugees standing in line waiting for water. See more pictures from Dadaab's Ifo II Camp

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The people in the Horn of Africa are facing the worst humanitarian situation in the world today.  Somalis are fleeing the effects of conflict and famine and arriving – more than 1,200 people per day – in Kenya.  AFSC is working to meet the needs of those refugees arriving in the Dadaab camps in Kenya.

In the last few weeks, AFSC has worked with our partner Handicap International to purchase walkers and wheelchairs to assist refugees with physical difficulties. This allows them to better access food, water and other necessary items to survive.

Dekha Ibrahim Abdi

Dekha during a meeting with AFSC staff in Philadelphia.

See more photos of Dekha.

It is with profound sorrow that we share the news of the death of a beloved friend and colleague, Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, internationally known and honored peacebuilder and activist. Dekha died, July 14, 2011 from injuries incurred in a vehicle accident that killed her husband at the site last week. They leave behind four children.

Water Project

Community crews work to create a large water catchment. This project with serve 2000 people and help to supply them and their animals with water. See a full slideshow of the Water Project.

Somalia is experiencing the worst drought in decades. The Somali people are facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today. One in every three children living in South-Central Somalia is malnourished according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The drought’s impact has been exacerbated by the increase in food prices and ongoing violent conflict.  The violence makes it incredibly difficult to deliver vital supplies of food, water and emergency provisions inside Somalia.

Somali and Kenyan Youth Exchange

Somali and Kenyan youth visit Kibera, the world's largest slum to learn about the work of youth organizations working for change.  For more pictures view the slideshow.

AFSC held an 8-day exchange between 47 Somali and Kenya youth to promote constructive dialogue.  Participants learned from each other’s experiences of youth employment, sports as a tool for development, and the promotion of human rights. The program was included partnerships with a Somaliland youth organization and a Kenyan youth program. 

After visits to both Nairobi and North Eastern Kenya the youth left with a greater awareness and understanding of the dilemmas facing youth today and a drive to promote sharing and change in their communities.

Somali refugees arrive in Dadaab

Somali refugees arrive in Dabaab Refugee camp hoping to find shelter like the structure at the rear.
Photo: UNHCR/A. Njuguna

Donate today.

Support AFSC’s work providing humanitarian service and building peace in Somalia and the surrounding region.  The Horn of Africa has the most severe food crisis in the world today.  The combination of drought, conflict, and skyrocketing food prices has created the most acute humanitarian crisis for Somalis in the past decade.

Friends in Kenya - group photo

Group photo of AFSC meeting with Quaker partners and organizations at Friends International Center in Nairobi.

The AFSC-Africa program was excited to host Arlene Kelly, Clerk of the Board of AFSC for 10 days. Her visit included time with the AFSC staff and partners in five countries and community members in areas where AFSC works. 

Community Dialogue El-Wak

Community dialogue is held in the bordering El-Wak towns on the Somali and Kenya sides.

Scarcity of grazing land has led to conflicts among pastoralist communities living along both sides of the Kenya and Somalia border. In Elwak, Somalia livestock is the main source of livelihood for the residents and the same is true for neighboring communities living on the other side of the border in Kenya.  Unfortunately with limited space, violent conflict led to preventable deaths.