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Somaliland

Community Development Changing Lives

ABOUT Somaliland
Somaliland is a breakaway territory of Somalia. It is perched on the coast of
the Gulf of Aden. This semi-desert land once hosted an intense battle between
Somaliland military dictator Siad Barre and rebel guerrillas. The aftermath left
thousands killed and towns destroyed.

Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991 and Somaliland has been campaigning
for sovereignty ever since. The people are determined and strong and a 2001
referendum showed overwhelming support for its self-declared independence.

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Though not yet internationally recognised, Somaliland has a working political
system, government institutions, a police force and its own currency. Yet despite
a thriving business sector, the economy is still largely dependent on money sent
home to Somaliland from dispersed family members. Important sources of
income are the port duties paid by landlocked Ethiopia, and livestock exports. QUICK FACTS
Poverty and unemployment are widespread, and though Somaliland has escaped Full name:
much of the violence that ensnared Somalia, it is still vulnerable. Somaliland

Population:
3.5 million
(Somaliland government estimate)

Capital:
Hargeisa

Major languages:
Somali, Arabic, English
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Major religion:
Islam

Life expectancy:
TEAR FUND IN Somaliland 48 years (men), 51 years (women)

TEAR Fund is helping to provide hope and opportunities for poor families in Monetary unit:
Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa. Co-funded with TEAR Fund UK and operating Somaliland shilling
through the Gargaar Charity, the Somaliland Peace, Capacity and Awareness
Building Project is providing the target area with health, education and Main exports:
microenterprise initiatives. Livestock

The project is addressing HIV/AIDS by empowering community structures.


Developing a sustained response to HIV/AIDS and education initiatives are keys
to reducing the disease’s prevalence. Also, the project is advocating for increased
access for the poor to adequate health care by engaging local and government
leaders to rectify limitations in the current system. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
is another common string, as people deal with its history of war and violence.
Training in the identification and treatment of sufferers are being provided for this.

Microenterprise is effectively bringing families out of poverty with Self-Help


Groups. These groups are mentored in business skills, begin a savings scheme
and rotate small business loans from their savings to create livelihoods for the
members. Teacher training, promoting education for children and vocational
training for 450 unemployed and ex-militia youth comprise the education
component of the project. Through funding this comprehensive ministry to the
poor, TEAR Fund is helping to shape the future of Somaliland.

Callto
Call todonate:
donate: 0800
0800 800
800 777 or
or visit
visitwww.tearfund.org.nz
www.tearfund.org.nz
Community Development Changing Lives

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
TEAR Fund community development works by empowering poor communities to
find their own solutions to issues. This significantly reduces overheads by operating
through local staff. We work directly with the poorest allowing us to identify and
address the root causes of poverty not just the symptoms.

TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations who carry out the work
themselves. Assistance is given regardless of beliefs.

Tear Fund takes an holistic approach to all of its projects which takes the local
community on a journey of transformation through improved physical, social and
economic circumstances, and often on an individual level, spiritual change.

How community development transforms


• Physical – meets targeted need such as health

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• Social – unites and empowers
• Economic – often creates opportunities for income generation

SWAPPING GUNS AND DRUG ADDICTIONS FOR PRODUCTIVE LIVES

Ahmed lived by the gun. His other qualifications included the future and he says he is looking forward to expanding his
holding up people in the street, looting, and being a khat addict. business, whereas before he couldn’t see beyond his next fix
But thanks to the work being done by TEAR Fund’s partner in of khat.
the Gargaar Project, Somaliland, he has turned his life around.
The TEAR Fund Gargaar Community Development Project in
Ahmed was a militia man during the civil war, but that didn’t Somaliland is addressing many of the social and health needs of
stop when he returned to civilian life. Ahmed would stop the community in which it is involved.
people in the street, demand money and would even kill those
who refused to give it to him. For many years his life continued There are numerous causes of poverty in Somaliland, including
as a routine cycle of his former qualities. recent civil war which has traumatised the people and left
many living as refugees. Little education, high unemployment,
It was only after laying down his gun and joining the Gargaar HIV/AIDS and poor agriculture have also contributed to
Project funded by TEAR Fund when Ahmed’s life began to people’s scarce lifestyles.
change. Through vocational training and counseling, Ahmed
now has a more positive outlook on life and is self-employed The Gargaar Project is tackling many of these problems
in the construction industry earning $15 a day. His violent past through means of peace-building and by addressing the
is now firmly behind him and he is married with two children. economical, social, psychological and emotional needs of the
The skills he has gained have given him an outlook for people. It does this through vocational training, women’s self-
help groups and education.
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CONTACTS:
National Office: Freephone: 0800 800 777
PO Box 8315, Symonds St, Facsimile: (09) 629 1050
Auckland 1150 Email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz
New Zealand Website: www.tearfund.org.nz PROJECT PROFILES

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