Who we areSomali Progressive Association is Charity

founded in 1986.

Wales Somaliland Communities Link is a project managed by the Somali Community through the Somali Progressive Association and is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The project is known as the Wales Somaliland Community Link

WSCL Aims

• Promote and arrange the linking of Welsh Communities where Somalis live with a communities in Somaliland of a similar size to tackle the MDGs

• Promote and arrange the linking of schools, universities (faculties) and hospitals in Wales with those in Somaliland.

WSCL Aims

• Promote and arrange ways in which the voluntary sector in Wales can partner with the voluntary sector in Somaliland as part of ‘Global partnership for Development’

• Create a better understanding of development issues within bothcommunities.

• Facilitate community cohesion through working in partnership with Agencies.

Wales Somali Community - Diaspora

What is a Diaspora Community?

“ A Diaspora is a self –identified ethnic group, with a specific place of origin, which has been globally dispersed through voluntary or forced migration”

(Dr Steven Vertovec university of Oxford)

Wales Somali Community - Diaspora

The Somali Community presence in Wales is well over a hundred years.

Somali men served in World War 1 & 2 and the Falklands

The Somali Communtiy previously were predominantly seaman and factory workers.

The Somali Community is estimated to be over 10,000

Wales Somali Community - Diaspora The Somali Diaspora makes a major

contribution to the Somali Economony and livelihoods through remittances and humanitarian assistance.

The Somali Diaspora is the major investor in the country and provides 80% of the start up capital for small & medium enterprises

The composition of the community have changed from predominately seamen to men and women with professional skills e.g.. Doctors, Lawyers and Community Champions

WHERE IS SOMALILAND

Somaliland is about the size of England and Wales with an area of 137,600km² (68,000 sq. miles).

Somaliland is situated in the Horn of Africa

It shares borders with Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia

The map

              

          

SOMALILAND

SOMALIA

The Map of Somaliland

General Information

Languages: Somali is the official language. English & Arabic are also widely spoken.

The capital is Hargeisa with a population of 1.00 million.

The other main towns are: Burao, Borama, Berbera (main port), Erigabo and Las Anod.

A Brief History

Somaliland was under British rule from 1884 until June 26th 1960 . The country was then known as British Somaliland. It was a Protectorate.

Independence was gained June 26th 1960. Somaliland was admitted to the UN and was recognized by 35 countries in the first week prior to joining the former Italian Somalia on 1st July 1960 to form the Somali Republic. No act of union signed.

A Brief History (contd.)

The union between the Somalia & Somaliland did not work and led to a civil war between 1980 and ended 18th May1991.

After the collapse of the Somali Republic, the people of Somaliland decided to withdraw from the union with Somalia and reinstate Somaliland’s sovereignty. An internationally monitored referendum on the constitution confirmed the people’s wish to re-gain their independence was held 31st May 2002.

The Economy

The backbone of the economy is livestock.

Remitances from Somalilanders living abroad play also a big role in the economy.

= ½ Million

3 ½ Million3 Million

317 Thousand… 7 ½ Million!

HEALTH SITUATION IN SOMALILAND The Civil war has virtually destroyed Somaliland's

infrastructure. Including the Health Institutions. Nurses, doctors and primary health workers were either killed or displaced internally or externally.

Health indicators in Somaliland Somali women have one of the worlds highest

Maternal Mortality rates 16 women out or every 1000 die during child birth – every year almost 4000 women die in childbirth

Somali children have one of the least chances of survival – 1 in 8 babies die before the age of 1 and 1 in 5 children die before the age of five.

Life expectancy is only 48 years

HEALTH SITUATION IN SOMALILAND The Civil war has virtually destroyed

Somaliland's infrastructure. Including the Health Institutions. Nurses, doctors and primary health workers were either killed or displaced internally or externally.

Rebuilding the Health InfrastructureSupport – raising money to send to the hospitalsEquipment VolunteersMedication Raising Awareness

Barriers to Linking

Language / culture Security e.g. Foreign Office Advice Insurance cover and costs Visa issues for reciprocal visits Communication e.g. No postal Service Financial and Technical Issues Over stretched key staff in partner organisations

Benefits to Linking

Promote understanding of different situation and challenges

Create mutual learning between both countriesHelp communities to learn form each otherEncourage awareness between different culturesShare professional experiences Contribute to Global citizenship and InterdependentBreak down stereotypesCreate activity within the curriculumDevelop critical thinking skillsContribute to the MDGs achievements

Wales Somaliland is supported by Rt. Hon. G. Brown, MP , UK Prime Minister and Secretary Of State for Wales ,Rt. Hon. Peter Haine

Rt. Hon. Mr. Michael, MP and Rt. Hon. Mr. Morgan, AM Addressing Wales SL. Conference 2008

Wales Somaliland Link Director Addressing Joint Session s of UK/Somaliland MPs in the attendances is Lord Mallac_ Brown – UK Minister for Africa

Wales Somaliland Director and Chairman with Rt. Hon. Mr. Michael,MP, Rt. Hon. Milliband, Rt. Hon. Morgan,AM and Lorrainee Barrtte,AM

Wales Somaliland Is Supported by H.E . Dahir Riyale Kahin and Rt. Hon. Abdillahi Duale, Somaliland Foreign Minister

Wales Somaliland Visiting Team Addressing Specially Convened Hargesia Municipality Council

Wales Somaliland Community Link Somaliland Health Minister with Partners in Wales

WELCOME TO A GREAT PARTNERSHIP Wales Somaliland Community Link - WSCL

Tel – 02920 499916Mr. Abdikarin Abdi Adan / Diane Lewis

abdi@walessomaliland.orgdiane@walessomaliland.org