UNDP Somalia Annual Report 27 June 2014

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UNDP Somalia Annual Report 27 June 2014

June 30, 2014

2013 was an important year for Somalia. The country remained focused on consolidating peace and improving security for all Somalis. The establishment of the Federal Government and the signing of the Somali Compact and New Deal in November 2013 set the stage for cautious optimism with partners. Building on the promises of the New Deal, the country is preparing for the Vision 2016, which guides Somalia’s commitment to a new constitution and elections by 2016. These positive changes offer better prospects for enhanced stability and development in Somalia than those seen in two decades.

However, serious challenges remain. While Somalia’s humanitarian situation has slowly stabilized since the devastating famine that killed 260,000 people three years ago, it is still extremely fragile. Half of the population has experienced abject poverty. More than one million people remain displaced in often appalling conditions and more than one million people are refugees in the region. One serious or a series of shocks – such as failed rains, increased insecurity or reduced access – and Somalia could slip easily back into a deep crisis.

UNDP Somalia began relocating the Country Office from Nairobi to Mogadishu in 2013. This decision followed the successful political transition in 2012, as well as increasing levels of security and stability across the country. It was, however, challenged by a tragic and devastating attack on the UN Common Compound (UNCC) in Mogadishu on 19 June 2013.  Following the attack, operations were constrained by extremely restricted travel, heightened security risks and access restrictions within Mogadishu and South Central Somalia, interrupting the full relocation of UN operations from Nairobi and delaying the implementation of activities. This was a stark reminder that Somalia remains one of the most challenging environments in the world for international cooperation.

But we are moving forward – stronger and more determined to help the people of Somalia. A decision to reopen the UNCC in 2014 was made. This move will enable UNDP and other UN Country Team members to intensify their efforts to assist the government in reaching its post-transition benchmarks, such as the extension of state authority into South Central Somalia, the constitutional review and referendum, and first post-transition national elections scheduled for 2016.

This is the time for UNDP to harness support for our Somali partners to deepen democratic reforms, strengthen service delivery, expand good governance, advance human rights and promote economic development. We must actively, consistently, and strategically engage with all partners to encourage the development change necessary to guide Somalia into peace, stability, and growth.

Globally, UNDP is focused on making the next big breakthrough in development: to help achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion. In Somalia, significant progress in the peacebuilding and state building agenda (as defined in the Compact) will be necessary to make this goal a reality.

The expectations of the new Government, and of the people of Somalia, are very high – and UNDP must operate at its very best to ensure that it is capable of living up to these expectations.  We can never be ambitious enough. This year and the next will see significant challenges – especially given the unstable security situation and the nascent capacity of the new Government.

But these obstacles will not deter us from assisting Somalia to make good of the tremendous opportunity with which the country is now presented – the best opportunity for peace, security and prosperity that the country has seen in more than a generation.  With inspiration, motivation and commitment, we can assist the government and other Somali stakeholders to live up to this opportunity, and bring positive change and sustainable development to the people of Somalia. 

Philippe Lazzarini
UNDP Resident Representative for Somalia

Highlights

  • The Somali Compact, signed on 16 September 2013 at the New Deal Conference in Brussels, is seen as a roadmap for promoting statebuilding and peacebuilding over the next three years. Further to the New Deal’s goals, the Vision 2016 outlines Somalia’s commitment to a new constitution and elections by 2016.
  • By the end of 2013 in Somalia, UNDP’s efforts extended access to justice to over 15,000 people, helped train 12,000 civilian police officers, and created new jobs for nearly 4,000 people, over 40% of which were women.
  • In 2013, 2,175 people - including 329 women -benefitted from UNDP’s social rehabilitation and integration programmes for at risk youth
  • To date, 15,299 people have received UNDP supported legal aid services, including 1,824 cases adjudicated by mobile courts
  • 2,180 workers benefitted from short-term employment through the construction of 23 basic infrastructure facilities
  • Long-term employment fostered through the provision of grants and microfinance schemes to 1,680 entrepreneurs
  • Over 7,200 people — including children – indirectly benefiting from UNDP small business grants to people living with HIV / AIDS
  • 2,610 people - nearly 77% female - participated in ‘Community Conversations’, which help break open the discussion about gender issues, HIV/AIDS and discrimination
Document Type
Regions and Countries