The mentally sick and traumatised are among the weakest and most exposed people in society. Since 1999, IAS has been working with this target group and results are beginning to appear!

In 2001, an institution for mentally handicapped children was established in Somaliland. It was the first of its kind and the concept was unknown in this nation. So far, the Somalis had been treating this category of children with disgust. Mentally handicapped children were shackled in their homes or turned away to live on the streets. Children with relatively small handicaps or mental disorders were treated like animals.

The project for mentally handicapped children has seen incredible results since the start and the Somali population is now realising that it is possible to help these children. Today, 190 children are enrolled in the school. The institution has become integrated in society and is recognised equal to other schools. The school is delivering know-how and expertise on special education and mental disorders to all of Somaliland’s school system. The Ministry of Education is a co-operation partner in the process of integrating special education into all the national schools.

- Examination and counselling centre.
- Physiotherapy and psychotherapy.
- Visitation and home schooling.
- Special education.
- Training in protected workshops.
- Training centre for primary and lower secondary school teachers.
- Resource centre and production workshop.
- Distribution of special education materials to schools.
- Awareness seminars around the country.

Construction of water reservoirs in Somaliland

Construction of water reservoirs in Somaliland

Construction of water reservoirs in Somaliland

Goal

The goal with this intervention is to resettle and improve the living conditions and security of the pastoralists living in affected areas of Togdheer, Saanag and Bosaso regions through the construction of water barkers, water trucking and providing temporary shelters to the displaced families in villages as the result of the severe drought in the regions.

Areas of intervention in Somaliland

Sub-goals

• Provide temporary shelters to 270 families in 9 villages.
• Provide water trucking to 9 villages that are worst affected by drought.
• Constructing 9 water barkers (reservoirs), one in each village to persevere water.

Timeframe

August 1, 2006 - November 30, 2006

Douglas Mwiti Country Director douglas.mwitiias.nu

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