Somalia

National Coalition

Ciribtir Saboolnimada / Eliminate Poverty

In Somalia the Somali Organisation for Community Development Activities (SOCDA) is part of a national coalition supporting GCAP.

If you want to be part of the national coalition as part of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, you can contact the following:

Somali Organisation for Community Development Activities (SOCDA)
Yusuf Abdulkadir Khalif Sh
socda@socda.org
socda@globalsom.com
Tel: (w) 00252-1-216188/ 00252-5-930625
Tel: (m) 00252-1-5510890

People in Somalia deserve a good government to address this imbalance that also has great effects on our country. We urge the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia to wake up to our call for trade changes in world trade. We want to become aware of the TFG that our mainly agro-pastoral economy is badly affected by bans, trade injustice and other harmful effects, which need urgent corrective action.

October 17 Actions

Actions on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in Hargeisa, Bossaso, Beled-weyne, Baidoa and Kismayo

GCAP Somalia had planned some synchronized actions for 17th of October 2007 to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Indeed, plenty of events have taken place in important districts the country. The following is a highlight of what occurred in Mogadishu (the capital), Baidoa (the temporary seat of the Transitional Federal Parliament), Bossaso, and Beled-weyne, two strategic regional capitals.  Activists in Hargeisa, Somaliland also held some important GCAP actions.

Simultaneous press conferences were held in all the five cities whereby GCAP values and ideals were explained, especially the global movement's determination to campaign against factors causing and indeed propagating poverty and inequality around the world, especially in the southern states. Clear demands on public accountability, just governance and the fulfillment of human rights and trade justice were repeated. A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development is to be complemented by debt cancellation were demanded.

The country's poverty status was displayed, which has unfortunately shown a poor record. The fact that 43.3 percent of Somalis survive below poverty line, unable to earn even US $1/= (about Sh. So. 20,000/=) per day is just shocking and that 73.5 percent of the population can not manage an earning amounting to US $2/= (Sh. So. 40,000) per day has a demoralising effect.

Gathered information has shown worse trend in other public welfare aspects. The proportion of the population surviving on minimum level of dietary energy consumption in Somalia surpasses 65 percent while the under five mortality is over 220 per 1000 live births and infant mortality is equally bad at 132 deaths per 1000 births.

The standard of education is deplorable as the adult literacy rate is deduced to be below 20 percent and enrolment in primary schools has been computed as just over 20 percent of school-age children with girls being only a third of each cohort. The under five mortality is over 220 per 1000 live births while infant mortality is equally bad at 132 deaths per 1000 births. The scenario is worsened by predicament faced by women as 1,100 mothers die in every 100,000 live birth situations, which is coupled with rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other deadly diseases.

The degrading environment, the ceaseless soil erosion, poor water supply, especially lack access to clean ones, inadequate sanitation and public services need rapid solution. This state of affairs leads many people's lives to a cycle of poverty

GCAP Somalia has urged the Somali leaders and the international community not stay aloof in the face of such dreadful record. The ideal path to reverse the awful trend, particularly those affecting women and children, is to pursue policies leading to national stabilisation, especially through reconciliation by means of the largely neglected traditional peacemaking.

These and similar demands were voiced out not only through press releases, but also via cultural displays where talented artists depicted the agony caused by poverty and inequality. Horyaal Band, a popular group, staged an emotional drama at Shamo Hotel in Mogadishu, which was broadcasted by a number of media houses, both live and re-broadcasting. Similar cultural displays took place in Hargeisa, Beled-weyne and Baidoa towns.

Sports events took place in Mogadishu and Beled-weyne and awareness gatherings in Baidoa. All happenings were meant to put out the message of GCAP Somalia activists to as far and as wide as possible.

A 150 m long, which was made of 50 pieces, was displayed at CONS Stadium, the oldest sports complex in Mogadishu, as a GCAP Somalia's Banner against Poverty. The event, attended by about 5000 spectators was graced by two Division A teams; Banaadir Telecom and Elman F.C. Banaadir telecom won the football game and lifted the anti-poverty cup.    

Stand up and Speak out occasion were staged at various schools, sports grounds, theatres, offices and even at Internally Displaced Peoples' (IDPs) camps. We hope that GCAP Somalia's mobilization has contributed to the breaking of last year's Guinness Books of Records of those Standing Up and Speaking Out against Poverty.

A petition letter authored by GCAP Somalia's Facilitation Team was handed over to the Prime Minister, Professor Ali Mohammed Ghedi on 16th of October 2007 at Bakiin Hotel in Baidoa town (the temporary seat of the Transitional Federal Parliament). GCAP Somalia's delegation was composed of Mr. Abukar Sheikh Yusuf, the Chairperson of Isha Human Rights Organisation; Mr. Mohamed Hassan Jakole, Executive Director of KANAVA; Ms Mana Hudow Isman, Vice Chairperson of Bay Women Development; Ms Faiza Sa'id Mursal, Vice Chairperson of Bay Community Organisation and Mr. Qasim Mogow Abdalla of Inskoy Peace and Democracy.

As Always:

Our motto remains: CIRIBTIR SABOOLNIMADA (Eliminate Poverty)
Our Efforts Are Symbolized by the Wearing of the WHITE BAND

• Download the October 17 report in PDF
• See the photo gallery
  

07-07-07 events

GCAP Somalia led a comprehensive media awareness campaign in six major districts across the country. The campaign aimed to press on the authorities and people in influential positions to pay attention to GCAP demands on the MDGs and poverty reduction and to deliver a message of solidarity to people living in poverty worldwide. Activities included a well attended press conference in Mogadishu and a radio talk show on a national radio station.