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Hargeysa,
Somaliland, November 28, 2009 – A consultative meeting forum hosted by
the International Horn University funded by Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
and Finish Church Aid (FCA) was held at Ambassador Hotel in Hargeysa.
The forum brought together some Religious & Traditional leaders, Civil
Society and Government Representatives.
The conference was intended to be forum to debate on constant issues
touching the impact of the activities carried out by the Aid Workers as
well as to build the confidence, respect and understanding between the
Traditional leaders, Religious Community and International agencies for
mutual benefit and identify areas of future collaboration to improve
efficiency as well as enhance security in the areas of operation.
The forum was officially opened by the president of the International
Horn University who mentioned that some of our people believe a wrong
idea from International NGOs which is making westernization to the
domestic Communities. Participants were from the religious and
traditional leaders, civil society, government officials and
representatives from the International NGOs working in Somaliland.
During the one-day session, it has been discussed about how the Aid
Workers carry out their humanitarian actions while considering the
cultural sensitivity of the local Somaliland communities. It has been
highlighted the importance of respecting the cultural and religious
believes of the local communities during different interventions from
the international aid workers.
Some of the religious and traditional leaders mentioned the sensitivity
of the local population that the international NGOs are spreading
Christianity and western ideologies among them. They said people see the
NGOs as a tool to change people’s believes along with the limited
humanitarian aid they provide. They said it is the NGOs to proof their
stance by respecting the local cultures.
It has been highlighted the importance of engaging the local communities
in the planning, implementation and intervention stages of the projects
so that people it will enable people to fill the gaps and fulfill their
basic needs. Some participants said the donor driven policy is not going
to work at this stage.
Officials from the Somaliland government highlighted the importance of
collaborating with the government in all the projects. They said it is
important for the government to know who is doing what and where so that
it will be easy for the government to provide the necessary support in
terms of security, accessibility and others.
Representatives of the International NGOs said they are here to deliver
the humanitarian needs and not to intervene people’s believes and
cultures. They said being from different countries they sometimes don’t
know about the local costumes and that can sometimes bring clash of
cultures or cultural shock. They said they do their best to consult
their local staffs and respect the community leaders when it comes to
believes and cultures.
In this light, it has been suggested that the NGOs should employ
cultural and religious consultants to avoid any violations against the
social and cultural believes of the local people. It has been also
mentioned that the NGOs should collaborate with the traditional and
religious leaders when implements projects in any area of the country.
That will make the local populations collaborate with the NGOs.
Some of the participants complemented that role of the NGOs in the
development and emergency situations in Somaliland. They mentioned how
Somaliland’s people survived with the assistance of the UN/INGOs during
the mass displacement in 1988 until now where many development projects
have been successfully implemented by the humanitarian workers.
During the session, it has also been discussed about the security. The
traditional and religious leaders said it is their responsibility to
protect the aid workers in the field. They mentioned that Islam
prohibited harming those who are helping the needy and the Somalis are
good at hosting the guests in all conditions.
At the end, the participants and the organizers of the conference agreed
to hold more of this kind to enable people exchange ideas and discuss
the issues concerning all.
The conference was a follow up of another one which took place earlier
this year which has been discussed the role of the International Aid
Workers in Somaliland.
Source: Somalilandpress, November 25, 2009
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