Somalia Posted April 28, 2012 New homes for 7,440 displaced Somalis 27 Apr 2012 08:51 Source: Member // Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) The Wednesday’s sweltering sun and hot westward breeze from the infamous Gulf of Aden offers no sign of mercy for thousands of internally displaced persons some of whom in 2011 were evicted from Bossaso town. Now they are trying to get on with their lives in a desolate dry and stony Bariga Bossaso settlement lying low beneath lifeless hillocks in the outskirt of the old town. For 65 year old Kalthuma Weli, the miseries of homelessness are gone, at least for the next five years. She is one of the 7,440 beneficiaries of the Corrugated Galvanised Iron sheet (CGI) shelters constructed by the Norwegian refugee Council (NRC). ” I would like to thank God that the fires and deaths that have ravaged the settlements are now beginning to end. Families have now been provided homes but NRC’s support should not end there,” she said. Kalthuma and her family faced many challenges before arriving to Bossaso. Lack of food and water made her flee Kalafe in Ethiopia, after losing several family members to famine. Until this Wednesday, she had been living in a carton-made hut or ‘buul’ with 10 other family members in cramp, unsafe conditions. For three years each morning she would wake up, prepare porridge for her seven grand children before leaving for her daily work. But this day, hope dawned. Pilot project The Puntland state of Somalia is housing an estimated 147,000 displaced people. Since 2006, NRC has been providing humanitarian assistance to displaced populations and vulnerable host communities. The provision of sustainable housing solutions for IDP communities is one of the most pertinent issues currently affecting displaced communities. In partnership with UNHCR and with financial support from several donors, NRC is working together with the affected communities and the local authorities to tackle these challenges. In 2011, NRC in Puntland piloted the transitional Corrugated Galvanized Iron (CGI) shelter, which has been appraised as a better choice of shelter by IDPs. The CGI offers a wider living space for the family and a higher level of protection from fire outbreaks and criminals. So far, NRC has constructed 1,231 transitional CGI shelters benefitting 7,440 individuals. To ensure delivery of quality programs, NRC has tested a number of shelter prototypes with a community-based approach and eventually opted for Corrugated Galvanized Iron – also called CGI - as the most appropriate option for Bossaso and potentially also other locations of Bari region. “CGI construction is an example of the intention of the humanitarian community to bridge the transition from the use of temporary emergency tents to more durable CGIs as an alternative shelter option with longer term prospects,” Frantz Mesidor, NRC Area Manager in Puntland explained. Lack access to land Access to land for the IDPs remains a big challenge in Puntland. NRC, through its Protection and Advocacy project, has assisted IDPs in acquiring 5 years tenure of the land where the CGI shelters were constructed. “It has been a challenging process, in particular in relation to dealing with the land issues in the Bariga Bossaso area. We are very pleased to see the end result’s positive impact in terms of improved shelter for thousands of the IDP population,” Mesidor said. Partnerships “This is a victory for IDPs in Bariga Bossaso Settlement,” shouted Mohamed, elected leader for the IDPs, who had been looking forward to the handover ceremony for several weeks. The ceremony was presided over by the Puntland Vice Minister of Interior H.E Mr Abdi Yasin, and attended by Yusuf Muumin, Deputy Governor of Bari, Ali Mohamed, Deputy Mayor of Bossasso, and Charlotte Ridung, Head of UNHCR Puntland Sub-Office, among other dignitaries. Other partners in the project include; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), European commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO), Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) and Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted April 28, 2012 Source: Member // Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Somalia Posted April 28, 2012 I don't get what's funny? :confused: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingofkings Posted April 28, 2012 why is he laughing:confused: i'm guessing he's confused how PL treats IDPs compare to his enclave. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr_Osman Posted April 28, 2012 This is a victory for IDPs in Bariga Bossaso Settlement,” shouted Mohamed I agree it is victory for the IDPs but more so a victory for Residents and Citizens alike in the city. Bosaso is for all of us, lets make it the best city in East Africa. Guess what's coming soon? Renovated and expanded Bosaso port plus an excellent city wide road paving project. Guul iyo Gobanimo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
