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Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of undersanding (MoU) with the Organization of Islamic Dawa to co-fund and co-implement the third phase of integrated development and rehabilitation programme in three regions of Somalia - Banaadir, Middle Shebelle and Lower Shebelle - at a cost of QR7.3 million.
The 24-month agreement was signed by QRCS Secretary-General Saleh bin Ali al Mohannadi and Director-General of the Organization of Islamic Dawa's office in Qatar Hammad Abdul-Qader.
Mohannadi said,"This agreement will enable us to bring development components into the target areas, where the people suffer from poverty, inadequate medical services, difficulty in getting safe and clean water, lack of food security, conflict and floods. These conditions have had a tremendous impact on children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and elderly people."
According to him, the programme will cover 10 towns in the three regions, with a special focus on vulnerable families affected by disasters and conflict."They need agricultural equipment and capacity building to generate income independently. At the same time, we will offer basic welfare services such as health care, water and sanitation, education, and transportation," he said.
Abdul-Qader said,"This is not the first (agreement), as we have worked together on several projects, including the Syrian injured treatment fund, a livelihood project in Myanmar and a water project in Sudan, together with Qatar Charity. These projects are examples of successful partnership."
The third phase aims at improving living standards, food security, health services, education and water for the victims of drought and conflict. The project is expected to benefit 3,000 families directly and 121,000 families indirectly.
The programme covers preparation of 3,000 hectares of agricultural land, rehabilitation of 30 km of canals, distribution of 9,000 agricultural tools and 70 tonnes of seeds, creation of 10 training farms, installation of 20 water irrigation pumps and construction of eight cross-canal gated small bridges.
It also includes digging eight water wells and one artesian well, training of 100 farming trainers, and opening two health centres., establishing four schools and 10 Quran centres, holding three training courses for medics, and launching monthly health awareness campaigns.
In March 2016, a needs assessment was conducted in Awdheegle, Afgooye and Merca to identify gaps in crops, medical services and water supply. It was found the target regions had no health facilities, while a majority of the population drank unsafe river water. The blocked canals and obsolete agricultural equipment resulted in food production shortage.
