By Katie Murray | Program Associate
Thank you to all of our GlobalGiving Donors from around the world who have joined us in supporting peace, by Somalis and for Somalis. In a time of chaos and isolation, you have come together to support communities throughout Somalia, ensuring that they have the resources they need to peacefully solve their problems. Just as we have learned in the midst of a global pandemic, peace requires all of us to work together for a better future.
Together we have raised $1,490.87 for the Rapid Response Fund, which supports the local District Peace Committees (DPCs) to find peaceful solutions to community issues throughout Somalia. Part of a larger collaboration between the Somali Youth Development Network, Conflict Dynamics, and the Addressing Root Causes Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands; this flexible funding was accessible to any of the 35 DPCs when their peace efforts were challenged by developing and urgent needs. In 2021, $1,044 of this funding was used by three DPCs in Somalia with the remaining funds to be used in 2022 to help new DPC requests such as the Adado Peace Committee who has just requested assistance acquiring office equipment and operating costs to ensure their activities run smoothly.
While SOYDEN and Conflict Dynamics have worked together since 2009 creating and supporting these DPCs with trainings, guidance, and tools; it is your financial support that enabled them to implement their skills during times of crisis. Your support allowed the Hawlwadag District to hold a meeting between local authorities and the people of the district to discuss improvements to waste management, solving a simmering dispute and making sure people have the opportunity to make their voices heard. In Hamar-Jajab District, money from the Rapid Response Fund was used to facilitate a discussion between local authorities and the community on new security issues including a rise in the use of illegal drugs by youth, fighting between youth, and increasing robbery. This led to the local security forces changing their priorities to better meet the needs of the community. In addition to these two examples, DPCs have used funding to prevent retribution killings, halt the violent escalation of clan disputes, and enable conflicting parties to seek justice through formal measures rather than taking matters into their own hands. Your support has saved lives.
While the larger formal collaboration between SOYDEN, CDI, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands is concluding along with this GlobalGiving project, the District Peace Committees will continue to peacefully resolve disputes within their communities. Their job will never end and your support will continue to enable their work. Please consider supporting the Somali Youth Development Network directly at their website. Peace requires constant work and attention, but the outcome is more than worth it. Thank you for being a lifeline for peacebuilders and community members throughout Somalia.
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By Rukiya Abdulrahman | Senior Program Officer, Somali Team
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