Somalia - On 17 May 2017, IOM, in partnership with local authorities, community members and Somali diaspora representatives, held a handover ceremony for newly constructed community assets in Garbahaarey, Gedo Region of Somalia. The assets, which were identified in consultation with local authorities and community members, include four classrooms, two offices for the school, a milk shed, eight toilets, one dumping point, septic tank and soak pit.  The initiative was implemented by IOM through generous funding from the Government of Japan, with contribution from diaspora members.

In the course of community consultations, it was revealed that one of the key concerns of the community members is congested classrooms as a result of the high demand for education.  Over 500 household will benefit from the newly constructed classrooms while the new milk shed will help the milk vendors carry out their business in a clean and hygienic environment.

“We acknowledge the work and support by IOM, the Government of Japan, and the diaspora community in providing a platform that will see our children complete their education in Garbahaarey as opposed to traveling miles away in search for education. We hope other international partners can come on board and work with the community especially in helping those who are currently affected by the drought in the region,” stated Aden Sirad Mohamud, the Deputy District Commissioner of Garbahaarey, who presided over the ceremony.

Since 2013, IOM has been implementing projects that aim at improving food security, building social cohesion and providing livelihood alternatives to the communities living in Garbahaarey, Gedo Region.

For more information, please contact Heidrun Salzer, IOM Somalia Returns, Recovery, and Durable Solutions (RRDS), Email: hsalzer@iom.int