Business Training Improving Livelihoods of Female Entrepreneurs in Somaliland
By Mukhtar Yusuf, IOM Somalia

Rahmo Omar, who runs a tailoring business in Zeila, was one of the beneficiaries of the business training. ©IOM/Mukhtar Yusuf

The local government of Zeila, Somaliland has been struggling to provide the youth with alternative means of livelihood. As a result, many young people leave and migrate since there are limited job opportunities.

To tackle this issue, IOM has worked with the Horn of Africa Voluntary Youth Committee (HAVOYOCO) to provide business management training, vocational skills and business kits to 20 young men and women. The kits help budding entrepreneurs start up their own businesses and ensure that they can develop independent livelihoods.

Hinda Abdullahi Hussein was one of those entrepreneurs who started a tailoring business. “Since the opening of my tailoring shop, I have created a service that has attracted many customers in my district. I want to expand my business so that I can get more profit,” she says.

Since the opening of these businesses, the women have also enhanced the morale of other women in Zeila, and also improved their own living standards. “We want to produce our own designs, empower women and show the community that we can do our work well,” said Haboon Mohamed, who owns a tailoring shop in Zeila. “I now cater for the living and education expenses for my four children.”

By providing these opportunities to the youth, this grant has boosted the confidence of the youth in the local government. It also addressed the community’s self-identified need, which was aimed at supporting youth businesses and putting together constructive measures to prevent them from radicalization and joining violent extremist groups.

Setting the Pace as the First female intern with Somalia Police Unit
By Cyprine Birgen and Mohamed Miski, IOM Somalia

Zuhur Ahmed at the United Nations Common Compound during the internship interview. ©IOM/Cyprine Birgen 2015

Over the years, youth in Somalia have turned to irregular migration as a solution to lack employment opportunities and widespread poverty locally. As a result, hundreds die or go missing each year trying to cross the Sahara desert and the seas in search of jobs and better opportunities in European and Middle Eastern countries.

It is against this backdrop that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) started implementing internship programs in Somaliland in 2013 where over 115 have benefited and in Puntland where over 60 unemployed graduates from Bosaso, Garowe and Galckayo will benefit from similar programs.

Zuhur Ahmed is one such beneficiary in Garowe and is an intern attached to the Somalia Police Unit (SPU). Zuhur graduated from Puntland University in 2014 and as a young graduate, she could not secure any employment or internships because of her lack of experience.

Eventually, she secured six months internship with the SPU.

 “The search for employment has been very hard for me and my former classmates. Most companies prefer taking male counterparts as opposed to the females. In addition most women fear going an extra mile in search of employment due to cultural issues,” she says.

Through her hard work and commitment, Zuhur has managed to work with the male SPU counterparts manning the United Nations Common Compound in Garowe, Puntland -  a job she enjoys as she gets to meet a lot of dignitaries from the United Nations.

 “It’s a great opportunity being an intern here especially in a field where women are still unheard off, I hope through my experience with the police unit, young girls can get encouraged and join other career paths where men continue to dominate,” says Zuhur.

Zuhur started her internship in July 2015 and dreams of becoming a good administrator in the field of security.

Life-saving Measures for Newborns in Somaliland
By Mukhtar Yusuf

Nurse and Child & Health Specialist Fadumo Hassan (MIDA FINNSOM participant) providing treatment to twins baby boys at birth shortly after they were delivered successfully. ©IOM/Fathia Abdullah 2015

The maternity ward at Hargeisa Group Hospital, Somaliland receives between 300 and 400 deliveries each month including caesarean sections. In the past, approximately 70 - 80 of the newborns die in the maternity ward; an alarming number and cause of huge distress to the Hargeisa community.

With no dedicated and skilled nurses to identify crucial cases and follow-up with appropriate treatment, the chances of survival have been extremely slim.

In early 2013, Hargeisa Group Hospital built a new neonatal unit and through the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s MIDA FINNSOM project, two nurses who are child and health specialists were seconded to support the unit.

Through on-job training and workshops, other nurses in the ward on basic neonatal revival methods, the infant death cases have reduced tremendously. Moreover, after the placement of the nurses at the neonatal unit, delivery of services have been timelier with better service on the essential life-saving interventions and stabilization of newborns.

According to Dr. Ahmed Askar, the Director General of the hospital, (also a MIDA FINNSOM medical expert), since the placement of the nurses the infant mortality has decreased to five infants each month.

Hibo Mohamed is a young mother who gave birth to twin baby boys at the maternity ward. One of the twins suffered from a locked airway and low vital sings but through the support of Fadumo Hassan, one of the nurse experts, the baby received all the essential services and necessary support from the neonatal unit.

“Previously, I had 3 babies who passed away immediately after birth; this time I only heard the voice of one I thought the other joined his brothers in heaven. Thanks for the nurses who was involved in saving the life of my babies,” says Hibo.

First Cultural Festival in Decades Takes Place in Afgoye District
By Abdullahi Farah, IOM Somalia

Young men perform the Istunka (beating with sticks) during the first cultural festival in Afgoye in years. ©IOM/Abdullahi Farah 2015

The local communities in the Lower Shabelle Region of Somalia did not have many opportunities to engage in arts and cultural festivities. This was very conspicuous in Afgoye town, where youth remained susceptible to extremism and violent conflict.

To promote peace and stability, IOM worked with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, alongside implementing partner Radio Dalsan to support programs aimed at engaging the youth in healthy activities.

This effort culminated in the organization of the first cultural festival held in Afgoye in decades. The event, held on May, heralded an important time for Afgoye and its people. Government officials, district administration officers, and 150 members from the community attended the event. During the event, artists performed plays and sang traditional folklore music, including the popular local Istunka (beating with sticks) performance.

Ahmed Mohamed, a 19-year-old from Afgoye who participated in the festival says, “I have seen a group of youth doing the Istunka but this is my first ever time to take part. I was very happy to participate today.”

Halane Ali, an artist living in Afgoye said the festival was an important milestone for the people of Afgoye. “During the Somali civil war, not only were buildings destroyed and people killed, but our culture was also destroyed,” Halane says.

“The district lost its visitors who used to come and watch our performances. Reviving these activities will help promote good linkages between the community and the government too.”