Somalia: A nation of “NGOs”
22 Mar 2011 20 Comments
in Uncategorized
The thing that surprised me the most upon my arrival in Puntland, Somalia were the number of Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The whole place is bustling with NGOs for “Women empowerment”, “FGM”, “HIV training”, etc etc. I’ve also been told Somaliland, and South Somalia have many NGOs as well.
When I first saw these NGOs, I was very glad to see organizations that I felt were helping the Somali people. However, upon closer inspection, they are an utter failure. I’ve come to discover that NGOs do the bare minimal with what are called “soft” projects to “aid” Somalia. However, they fail to focus on real development. People are dying from lack of water in parts of Somalia, and they want to go into drought-ridden rural areas and talk about HIV with these people. It just doesn’t make sense. I went to a UNICEF meeting today for World Water Day. That’s another thing in Somalia, there are always meetings and workshops here held by the UN and other NGOs. We had a Somali engineer discuss the problems of water shortage in the region. Many of the “problems” were discussed, as well as possible solutions. After the talk was done, I asked a question about why we keep talking about the problems, but rarely do we see any action being taken? The answer I got was one of the major problems is lack of good engineering. The Somali engineers are really experts at what they do, but the problem is they design water pumps and other water facilities the way that specific NGO who is funding wants it. Most of the time these designs don’t work. We need a water rig, and to know the geographical locations of where sweet water vs. saline water are located. They need to be able to understand the depth the pumps can go. The reality is we do have fresh water, but the problem is getting it to the people. What the NGOs fail to do is give people sustainable solutions, instead they just provide temporary solutions. NGOs create a cycle of dependence. It is often a business. For example, when $500,000 is provided to help Somalis with a development project, maybe only $50,000 will go into the implementation of such project. The $450,000 will go into the pockets of the UN agents, for their hotel rentals, food, and travel. What help have they given the Somalis? One rig can do wonders to help many Somalis, especially in the Puntland region where the drought this year has been the most prevalent. It costs about $200,000. Why can’t Somalis in the diaspora and in Somalia work together to get such funds? Who are we waiting for? Change starts from the people, not the government. We also need educated Somali Engineers who know about water engineering to come back to Somalia. However, it seems like Somalis abroad don’t want to come back to Somalia. Somalia has only it’s people to help them. Israel for example, doesn’t have any fresh water, it uses the ocean water and converts it into fresh water for it’s people. Why can’t Somalis in Puntland do the same? If we combine our resources we can make many development changes to the region and possibly all of Somalia.
The government of Puntland spends the majority of it’s income on it’s military and combating piracy. The reality is not enough money is left over for development projects. We the people need to help out this nation. The reality is NGOs are aimed at emergency circumstances, not true development and taking people out of poverty. We shouldn’t rely on NGOs in Somalia. We need more Somali grassroots organizations that have the interest of the people. I’m sick of going to workshops in Somalia that only discuss the problems, it’s time to take some action.
I’m actually planning to start a fund-raising project abroad to collect about $300,000 for a water rig to be used in drought affected areas of Puntland. It’s an idea right now, but I’m hoping it will work out. It’s time to take action. We can do so much. We shouldn’t wait for the world to help Somalia, or Arab countries or Europe or America, we should use our minds and resources to aid Somalia. It’s time for change, and yes we can!
Mar 25, 2011 @ 21:13:53
Dear Sista,
This Article is one of the best I’ve read recently, I’ve been working in Somalia in 2010, and specifically in Garowe with multiple NGO’s, and I realy experienced like that situation during my work in Puntland.
There is a project called SOLICEP (Somali Livestock Certification Project) which is multimillion dollar project funded by the EU, and implemented by the African Union (AU-IBAR), and in Puntland like this project it only has one field officer, and the rest are in Nairobi, and they take the salaries and travels from the budget of that project…. I remember when they Organized a meeting for the Somali Livestock Stake Holders in Dubai and that 5 star hotel and participants from 16 rich countries (And the money for the accommodation, travel expenses, perdiems and etc are that money for the project (it really hurts where you see Kenyans and other UN staff personnels enjoying that money as it’s never existed and fake/virtual workshops), I was about to write like this article, but you did as good as I wanted…. Thanks for posting this
Nuruldin Alfariidi
Cairo-Egypt
Mar 25, 2011 @ 23:00:17
That’s another thing I’ve noticed too. They seem to give alot of the UN positions to Kenyans, who really don’t have any interest in Somalia’s development. They are only in Somalia to make money, not to benefit this country. It’s the sad reality of our times. Thanks for sharing that Nuruldin, I’m glad I’m not the only one making such observations.
Mar 26, 2011 @ 02:49:30
You are welcome, and please write an article about Garowe (The City) and please include as much HQ Pic’s as you can…. that would be interesting..
BTW (I left Somalia because of those Kenyans, I don’t know how the hell they get the vacant position as High Ranked personnels, when they are not as Qualified as Somali candidates… Corruption and Corruption in every NGO’z and Somalians are also doing the same, bad environment to work, but good salaries
Mar 26, 2011 @ 13:01:48
I’ve seen all sorts of corruptions while here. It’s no wonder Somalia was named in 2010 to be the most “corrupt” country in the world. Also, I do plan to do a picture blog about Garowe, and other parts of Somalia that I go to.
Mar 26, 2011 @ 05:43:18
Assalamu alaikm
JazakiAllahu khairan abaayo for this post!! You raise excellent points! MashaAllah your proposal to initiate fundraising within the Somali Diaspora is one I’d definitately be interested in supporting! This Somali engineer you met, do you have his contact details? It would be great since you are in Somalia to co-ordinate a project, finding the skilled workers to pursue this.
How much money would we need to make a well and pay the engineers and workers for their job?
Mar 26, 2011 @ 12:48:41
Thank you Hudska for your post. I will try to get the engineer’s contact information to you. I’m so happy to see people in the diaspora who are willing and interested in helping initiate such efforts to help the people here. We always have to start somewhere. I will get back with you shortly.
Apr 26, 2011 @ 18:26:28
This article is very pretty and excellent. I agree with you that NGOs do nothing to help Somalia, but to pour money into their pockets and build luxury houses. It is time to reckon with them and to expel them out from country unless they do tangible and concrete steps to help the needy people.
http://www.awilhamudmahamed.blogspost.com
Apr 29, 2011 @ 15:05:16
Hi abt, I totally agree with you. The sad thing is Somalis here encourage more NGOs into the country, because they don’t think they can make a livelihood without it.
Apr 30, 2011 @ 01:39:12
ACW abti
This is my twitter adress: twitter.com/awilmahamed
Apr 30, 2011 @ 05:57:28
Ok abti, I will add you!
May 04, 2011 @ 09:47:34
Am impressed by the article as it is aimed at helping Somali get on its feet and be on the road to development.
However, the fact that it seems to have turned into an article for criticizing Kenyans that work with the Multi-national corporations is not warranted. If you do your research well, you will get to understand the important role that Kenya has been playing over the years in helping Somali.
You should also note that the UN has a very strict and elaborate procedure for hiring staff and thus they are qualified to hold the positions aforesaid.
May 25, 2011 @ 01:52:06
Hello! I am starting to write an article on “What NGO’s Don’t Tell You and I wanted to know if you would be interested in partnering with adding input…I have plenty of connections with NGO’s and am starting the interview process soon and collecting data.
May 25, 2011 @ 07:45:29
Hi Stephanie,
I would be interested, you can email me.
Oct 09, 2011 @ 21:50:51
Somalia people need help now…….water is one issue, education is another, money generating projects and the list goes on. Its sad to see how much money is spent by international NGO . I want to start an NGO too(Mogadishu) please email me and lets share
May 25, 2011 @ 14:12:19
Awesome what is your email and I will send you a brief bio of the project:)
May 28, 2011 @ 19:23:11
Well, I have been thinking to start an NGO my self, after I visited Somalia last year and saw the lack of books and Libraries, as well as the poor work of the NGO’s that are working there already so, I want help those kids with books and school materials, and I am collecting information and ideas of how to start by creating an NGO in here USA. specially from those of you who are working or worked for NGO’s already. Your idea counts. thanks
Oct 09, 2011 @ 21:59:41
I founded an NGO in the USA and its not a hard process. It need to be 501(C) 3 in oder to attract donors. Please email me if you still are looking for information. I am also looking to form a local NGO in somalia let me know if still interested in the cause.
Jul 20, 2011 @ 22:13:14
Hey,
I just came upon your article by chance, all around very interesting and I agree with you that more needs to be done and it really boils down to who’s funding, so if we can get those people behind the projects you’ve suggested that would go a long way. However I dont think that NGOs should ignore or lessen their stance on FGM [ and HIV, although I dont think its much of a problem in Somalia] as it affects a lot of women and is so deeply ingrained in Somali culture with ignorant religious elders using Islam to support this hideous practise.
Feb 18, 2012 @ 14:07:34
Assalaamu Alaikum.
Every interresting to hear all of this story`s but the only sadness i see ist we Somali`s we let it hapen i hope that i am wrong¨! We stop if someone is doing good and we let the one whos doing but as long as he is around my Trib ( qabiil ).
Triblism is our Faith must of us.
Feb 18, 2012 @ 14:08:42
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Assalaamu Alaikum.
Every interresting to hear all of this story`s but the only sadness i see ist we Somali`s we let it hapen i hope that i am wrong¨! We stop if someone is doing good and we let the one whos doing bad things to us as long as he is around my Trib ( qabiil ).
Triblism is our Faith must of us.