1. 1
$18,435,907
$900,807
$5,441,515
$861,868
$28,455,257
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5 20 22.5 25 27.5 30
Closed (312)
Completed (20)
Cleared (99)
Pending (9)
Total (440)
Amount in Millions (USD)
ProjectStatus
70% of grants
closed
A young boy asks a police officer a question. Police officers visited Abdiaziz Primary
School to raise awareness about their role and responsibilities. Photo: YODA
Photo: YODA
Transition Initiatives for Stabilization
Weekly Report
20 March 2015
Weekly Highlight
Grants Summary

2. 2
Situation Update
Hiraan
 On 14 March 2015, Somali military
commanders defeated Al-Shabaab
fighters on the outskirts of Jalalaqsi
town. Al-Shabaab attacked Jalalaqsi,
which AMISOM and SNA forces
took control of in September 2014.
Mogadishu
 Unidentified gunmen killed a female
sanitation worker in Dharkenley
District on 17 March 2015.
 On 17 March 2015, security
operations started in Mogadishu in
order to improve security and deter
Al-Shabaab attacks.
Somaliland
 The regional administration in Awdal
will start the construction of offices
for the regional administration in
Borama. The governor announced
that they will fast track the
construction of offices for all the
other ministries as well.
Program Update
Peace, Security, and Conflict Mitigation
Community members in Abdiaziz District learn about role of police
(IOMMOG307): The protracted armed conflict in Somalia adversely affected relations
between law enforcement and citizens. In particular, youth and police have a strained
relationship. With TIS-IOM support, Abdiaziz District and Youth Development Association
(YODA), an implementing partner, launched a campaign to increase trust between residents
and police officers.

3. 3
A police officer answers questions at the
community awareness meeting. Photo: YODA
Police officers visited Abdiaziz Primary School to raise awareness about their role and
responsibilities. Photo: YODA
On 9 March 2015, police visited Abdiaziz Primary School to meet with students to explain the
role of police. As
many students were
born during the
ongoing conflict, their
understanding of law
enforcement is
minimal. The police
officers explained
who police are, why
they are important,
and how law
enforcement works.
Meeting police
officers in person was
a novel experience
for many, if not all,
the students. “This is
my first time to meet
a policeman. In my early days, whenever I saw a policeman, I ran to my home and shut my
room,” said Muna, a 14-year-old student, who used to fear police officers, but now has a better
understanding of their role.
On 12 March 2015, 200 community members attended a police awareness meeting at the
Abdiaziz District meeting hall. The forum allowed
community members to ask questions regarding
law enforcement. Adan Hassan Mohamed, a 28-
year-old merchant at the Abdiaziz Market asked
about the process of proving someone is guilty.
Zeynab Ali Ahmed’s question concerned the
treatment and procedures taken with female
suspects, especially considering the predominately
male police force. The police officers responded
to both questions, explaining the processes that
would be undertaken in both cases. The school
visit and community awareness meeting were
both critical in raising awareness among
Mogadishu’s residents on the roles and
responsibilities of police.

4. 4
A youth player receives uniforms for his team. Photo: Mustaf
Mohamoud, Wadajir District Staff
#Police officers visited schools in #Mogadishu to raise awareness on their role.
Wadajir District Administration provides sports equipment and uniforms to
motivate youth (IOMMOG282): During two decades of conflict in Somalia, youth in
Wadajir District had limited opportunities for educational and recreational activities. Many
youth become idle and some fell susceptible to violent extremist recruitment. To support
healthy opportunities for Wadajir youth, TIS-IOM provided sports uniforms and office
equipment to the Wadajir’s Sports Club, housed within the community center.
On 5 March 2015, the Wadajir Sports Club organized a tournament and ceremony to distribute
sports equipment and uniforms.
“I am very glad to attend this
kind of ceremony. Sports
equipment and uniforms are
incentives for youth in Wadajir
to participate in healthy
activities.” said District Sports
Committee Chair, Ahmed
Diiriye. The new equipment will
motivate young people who
have had limited opportunities
to engage in organized sports
activities.

5. 5
Nurto Farah Roble takes free literacy classes at the Kacaan Ward
offices. Photo: Abdullahi Moalim, IOM
Governing Justly & Democratically
Kacaan Ward offices provide community members free literacy classes
(IOMMOG051): For over 20 years, Somali citizens could not rely on their government to
deliver public services. Protracted conflict destroyed Kacaan Ward offices in Hodan District in
Mogadishu, resulting in a lack of public services. To strengthen the local government’s ability to
provide public services, TIS-IOM supported the rehabilitation of Kacaan Ward. Since its opening
on 29 September 2014, the ward office has delivered many services to the community including
community awareness workshops, health initiatives, and literacy classes.
The ward provides literacy classes to residents who have not had the opportunity to learn how
to write the Somali language.
Every day, the youth organization
of the ward offer classes on
Somali language writing and
mathematics. The 35 students
who participate are of all ages.
“They don’t pay tuition fee, we
volunteer for our community,”
said Mohamed Abdi Jimale, the
Kacaan ward youth chairman.
Nurto Farah Rooble is a 65-year-
old resident of Kacaan Ward. She
never had the opportunity to
learn how to write Somali. “I used
to receive letters from my son
who lived in Saudi Arabia. People
used to read me his letters.,” said
Nurto Farah. She added, “Today, I
can write letters to him and read the letters I receive from him, now I can keep my confidential
letters.” As demonstrated by the literacy classes, Kacaan ward’s rehabilitation is facilitating
increased community confidence in the government.

6. 6Maryama Ahmed, a student at Towfiq School. Photo: Anab Ahmed, IOM
Kacaan Ward offices offer literacy classes among other services to the community. Photo: Abdullahi
Moalim, IOM
After rehabilitation, Towfiiq School students look toward a bright future
(IOMMOG154): Somalia’s protracted conflict devastated the education system. In Mogadishu,
abandoned schools left children with no opportunities for formal education. To strengthen the
education system in Mogadishu’s transition, TIS-IOM supported the Yaqshid District
administration to rehabilitate classrooms at two schools, completed in October 2013.
A year-and-a-half after the rehabilitation, Towfiiq School’s students and administrators have
seen improvements and look forward to the future. “When they rehabilitated our school, we
got more students
registering,” Mr. Osoble, a
social worker at the school
said. In addition to the
increased registration,
students are also to have a
more suitable place to study.
Maryama Ahmed, 12-year-old,
said during English class,
“Before the rehabilitation, our
school was much destroyed
and now our school is the
most beautiful one in my
district. I hope I will be take

7. 7
Abdulkadir M. Abdulkadir, Xamar Weyne DC, acknowledged the successes
made over the past year in his district. Photo: Abdullahi Moalim, IOM
Rehabilitated classrooms in #Mogadishu provide a safe learning
environment for students.
part the brightness of school.” For Ali Abdi, another student, the school’s rehabilitation has
allowed him to look toward a bright future for himself. “I’m sure that the educational situation
will be better day after day,” Ali Abdi said. He added, pointing his finger to the teacher, “In the
future I will become like that man.”
Xamar Weyne District community celebrates local government achievements
(IOMMOG27): More than two decades of civil war in Somalia destroyed public infrastructure
including the electricity supply in Mogadishu. Lack of power in the city and the insufficient
service provided by
private electricity
companies made it
difficult for local
government offices to
operate. Without reliable
power, the Xamar
Weyne District
administration was forced
to close at inconvenient
times. To support the
district with sufficient
energy for its day to-day
activities, TIS-IOM
supplied two generators

8. 8
and built a generator shed for Xamar Weyne District. In addition, TIS-IOM supported the
Xamar Weyne district with IT equipment, office furniture, and capacity building workshops.
On 12 March 2015, the Xamar Weyne District Administration organized a community dialogue
event to celebrate achievements, including, but not limited to, the new generator. Abdulkadir
Mohamed Abdulkadir, Xamar Weyne District Commissioner praised the successes of the last
year, but also pointed out that there was much room for improvement. “We still have things to
develop. The district needs to get a hospital. The Martini hospital is not functioning so our
target is to get a community-owned hospital.” A power point slide covered all the achievements
of the district administration over the last year including construction, IT equipment, furniture,
generator supplies, and capacity building training. The community dialogue event brought
community members together to better understand the district administration’s progress and
achievements, helping to increase the community’s confidence in government.
Dharkenley District Community Center facilitates employment (IOMMOG11):
During the protracted war in Somalia, people lost their jobs. As government institutions and
private sector companies could no longer operate within a warzone, both skilled and unskilled
Somalis struggled to find employment in Mogadishu. The Dharkenley District Community
Center, rehabilitated in February 2014 with TIS-IOM support, facilitates employment, referring
residents to organizations and companies.
In its year of operation, the district estimates it has helped organizations find over 700
employees for work ranging from sanitation support to teaching and healthcare. For example,
the community center facilitated the Danish Refugee Committee’s recruitment of 300 unskilled
laborers for a “Cash for Work” program. In addition, the District Community Center has
relationships with several local and international organizations (Wardi Community Relief and
Development Initiatives, Care International, Qatar Charity, Tamkeen Foundation, Save the
Children, World Food Programme, and Kaashif) that use the district center as an intermediary.
The community center serves as a facilitation center for recruitment and interviews.

9. 9
Faduma (left) is interviewed by a panel from Care International at the Dharkenley District Community Center. Photo:
Abdullahi Moalim, IOM
“Today it’s normal to see youth with their CV in the District Center asking us to help them get
jobs. We thank the institutions and companies that gave employment opportunities to our
residents,” said Omar Mire, the Dharkenley Deputy District Commissioner. Faduma Hassan
Mohamed is a Dharkenley resident who recently interviewed for a job as a school teacher with
Care International. “I am happy to be in my district center and get this opportunity of job
interview, it’s something joyful, I hope to get this job and work as a teacher,” she said. USAID-
supported district community centers such as the one in Dharkenley are supporting their
constituents to rebuild Mogadishu by finding gainful employment.
Jowhar District Community Center provides platform to celebrate International
Women’s Day (IOMJOW004/IOMJOW012): Since the fall of Somalia’s central
government in 1991, there were no functional government offices that provided public services.
To strengthen local government, TIS-IOM supported the Jowhar District Administration to
rehabilitate and furnish offices in Jowhar District Community Center, completed in September
2014, and renovated the boundary wall as well, completed in early March 2015.

10. 10
Madam Sa’diya Burus gave a speech at celebrations for International Women’s Day at the Jowhar
Community Center. Photo: Yussuf Muhidin, Jowhar District Staff
Hundreds of women from Jowhar attended the International Women’s Day celebration at Jowhar District Community
Center. Photo: Yussuf Muhidin, Jowhar District Staff
On 8 March 2015, Jowhar community members celebrated International Women’s Day with an
event held at Jowhar District Community Center. Approximately 500 people participated in the
event including Mr. Ali Guudlawe, the Regional Governor. “Women are the backbone of any
society. They were freedom fighters in Somalia. Take your role in community development-
issues like hygiene and sanitation, education, politics, economics, and other social affairs. Wake
up and take the lead, the administration is here to help,” said Governor Guudlawe.
Madam Sa’diya Burus is the Chairperson of Women’s Affairs in Middle Shabelle Region. "It was
great opportunity for our community to hold such great day for women. Without the
rehabilitation, it would not have been possible for us to have such a day. Thanks to the regional
and district administration for their tireless efforts in bringing people together,” said Madam

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Rehabilitated community centers in South Central #Somalia provide space for
#IWD celebrations.
Sa'diya Burus. The International Women’s Day celebration demonstrates how the Jowhar
District Community Center facilitates dialogue on peace and recovery.
Rehabilitation of classrooms at Mahamud Warsame School increases school’s
enrollment (IOMMOG127): Civil war widely destroyed public schools in Mogadishu, causing
them to close. Mahamud Warsame School in Heliwaa District was one of the schools
destroyed. To support education in Mogadishu, TIS-IOM supported the rehabilitation of eight
classrooms at Mahamud Warsame School in Heliwaa District, completed in March 2014.
The school offers primary, intermediate, and secondary education with the capacity to absorb
the increasing number of students joining every day. “Mahamud Warsame School students were
420, but after the rehabilitation of the eight classrooms, we have 750 students and we have
initiated an afternoon shift,” said Mohamed Abdullahi, the principal. He added, “We employed
three new school teachers.”

12. 12
Abdullahi Abukar appreciates the rehabilitated classrooms at his school. Photo: Abdullahi Moalim, IOM
Abdullahi Abukar Ahmed is student at Mahamud Warsame School. He was a student in this
school before the rehabilitation. “The classes were very hot due to the overload of students,
lack of enough space, and less windows to get air. But today I am comfortable in class. It’s cool
with three windows each class,” said Abdullahi Abukar. Samira Ali Ahmed, is also a student who
recently joined the school because of its rehabilitation. “I have received a good environment for
education at this school. I joined in January 2015 and it’s a place where I always find good
teachers and appreciate its system of education,” said Samira Ali. Mahamud Warsame School is
one of the most popular schools in Heliwaa district and since it has been rehabilitated, residents
who attended Mahamud Warsame School in the past now send their children there. The
rehabilitation provided a more suitable learning environment for Mogadishu students, whose
education is key to rebuilding Somalia.

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Samira Ali Ahmed, left, chose Warsame School in part due to the rehabilitation. Photo: Abdullahi Moalim, IOM
Community Dialogue Event celebrates new furniture and IT equipment for
Borama Community centers (IOMBOR002): The Borama District administration
struggled to efficiently serve the entire population living in Borama District, especially those
living in smaller villages, due to poorly equipped community centers. To strengthen the local
government, TIS-IOM supported the Borama District administration with IT equipment and
furniture for the Sheikh Makahil and Sheikh Ahmed Salan community centers in Borama
District.
On 3 March 2015, the Borama District administration organized a community dialogue event
that brought the community and government together to celebrate the new equipment. The
event took place at Sheikh Makahil Community Center. Around 150 people attended the
ceremony including the Regional Governor, District Mayor, and Deputy Mayor. The District
Mayor of Borama explained his opening remarks of the ceremony, how the community center
improves the decentralization of the administration to the villages and the community dialogue
meetings. “Historically, Borama district didn’t have community centers. It’s the first time we
establish community centers that allow the community a space for gathering and discussing the
needs of their villages and the city as well. We established community committees who will
work closely with the district authorities,” said Saleban Hassan Haddi, the District Mayor of

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The CDE to celebrate the new IT equipment and furniture in Borama. Photo: Muktar Yeusuf, IOM
Borama. The equipment will support the district administration provide efficient services to
Borama constituents at the community centers.

15. 15
Voices from the Community
‘Somaliland’s Talented’ (HGA055): In order to revive arts and culture among youth in
Somaliland, TIS-IOM is supporting ‘Somaliland’s Talented,’ a televised program that encourages
youth to present their talents in a televised, live competition. Somaliland National Television
(SLNTV), the implementing partner of this program, registered more than three-hundred youth
from all regions of Somaliland. One-hundred-and-fifty competitors passed the pre-auditions and
were invited to attend the live competition that began 20 February 2015. Here are some
responses from viewers in Somaliland.
“Two nights each week, family members and friends gather in my house to watch the
‘Somaliland’s Talented’ program. Previously we were watching a talent competition of
foreign countries like Arabs and Americans but we are very glad it’s the first time to
watch our young girls and boys presenting their talents in a live competition,” said
Zafiya Haji Guled, a resident of Borama district.
“An interesting part of the program is the youth presenting dramas, songs, and poems on
the preventions and risks of youth migration. This could be an important awareness for
Somaliland youth,” said Abdillahi Keyse Ahmed, a student at Hargeisa University.
Performers compete on ‘Somaliland’s Talented.’ Photo: SLNTV

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Community members celebrate Shibis District achievements with performances.
Photo: Ibrahim Isse, Shibis District Staff
Updates
Community Dialogue Event celebrates Shibis District achievements (IOMMO258):
On 12 March, 2015, a Community Dialogue Event took place at the Shibis District Community
Center to showcase
district developments.
Performances related to
the stabilization of the
country. “Tonight is a big
night for the Shibis
Community. We have
rehabilitated many roads,
schools, and district
centers and that is a big
achievement,” said Mr.
Nor Ali, the Shibis
District Commissioner.
TIS-IOM meets with BRA: On 18 March 2014, TIS-IOM conducted a one-day meeting with
District Commissioners to ensure coordination on TIS projects. In addition to the 17 DCs,
Mayor and Governor of BRA Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab; the Deputy Mayor of Public
Works Abdirizak Elmi Ali; Deputy Mayor of Social Affairs Iman Nor Ikar; and the Director of
District Relations Mukhtar Dhagacade attended. TIS-IOM staff presented TIS principles,
activities, and challenges. All parties agreed the date for reprogramming of the contingency, to
avoid postponing CDEs for completed grants and to facilitate activities in an efficient manner to
meet the June 2015 deadline.

17. 17
Media Hits
Somaliland’s Talented Program (IOMHGA055):
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtyBMZLKMYM
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNHiG0m2YRQ
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee4sMcH1vmg
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72TKgx6Wr8M
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5nEW8ZFlCA
Xamar Weyne CDE (IOMMOG273)
 https://www.facebook.com/1442287486010006/photos/pcb.1569205863318167/1569199
383318815/?type=1&theater
 http://www.jowhar.com/maamulka-degmada-xamar-weyne-oo-soo-bandhigay-
waxqabadka-sanadkii-2014-sawirro/
A meeting took place with the DCs, Mayor, and other BRA staff. Photo: Abdullahi Moalim, IOM

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