Somalia: North-western Integrated Community Development Programme - Phase 1
The overall objective of the North-Western Integrated Community Development Programme (NWICDP) was to improve the access of the population of the Wooqoyi-Galbeed and Awdal regions to the goods and services required to satisfy basic needs (health, food, water, household income) through several activities described below.
Project achievements
The key driver of the programme’s success was the provision of an integrated development and community empowerment package. In a post-conflict situation, where all basic social services have been destroyed and communities have lost all their belongings, the use of such an integrated package proved to be highly relevant. The programme adopted a community-based approach to community empowerment, involving beneficiary communities at all stages of the programme cycle. This has resulted in economic, social and institutional development and has been instrumental in poverty reduction.
In improving household food security, the programme supported the poorest of the poor by providing “tractor hours” and oxen ploughing on credit to returnees who had no other means to cultivate their land in the rain fed farming areas. Other support included the provision of cash credit to communities practising irrigated farming; soil and water conservation activities; and agricultural extension initiatives to improve both the quality and the quantity of production. Communities greatly appreciate the access that they have gained to markets through the rehabilitation of feeder roads.
To address the problems caused by the semi-arid climate, the project installed water points and constructed and rehabilitated surface water reservoirs and shallow wells. This has relieved rural women of the arduous task of fetching water from distant locations during the dry season.
The rural health package was aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes and skills in the community in relation to health-related issues such as sanitation and nutrition As a result of the implementation of the rural health component many remote rural communities in the programme area have now access to basic health services.
The first phase of NWICDP was completed on 30 March 2008. The design mission for a second phase took place in August and a new project proposal was submitted for financing. Implementation will start during the second quarter of 2009.
Disbursement NWICDP (2004-2208)
