The project in health sector “Drought emergency in Somalia: rehabilitation of a health center in Mogadishu coupled with the provision of emergency health services” is aimed to rehabilitate an health center to provide sanitary services to the displaced coming from South Somalia and to the hosting community. In addition to the health post, Cesvi put in place 2 mobile clinics to reach the most vulnerable people (women and children) which are not able to reach the center. Basic sanitary services, immunization services for children (up to 5 years) and pregnant mothers and  nutritional support are provided to 11000 people with an estimated budget of 150.000 Euros.

UNICEF Education/Child Protection sectors have decided to scale up coverage of child friendly spaces with an aim to reach 343 Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) and a coverage of 30,000 beneficiaries initially. As schools are on break, the current focus in Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) will be protection with elements of education. School aged children will be transferred into formal schooling when the school year starts. In light with the purpose Cesvi will conduct Trainings of Trainers Orientation on the organization of the CFS, psychosocial care, recreational activities and the CFS minimum standards. (3 days each), monitoring activities, set up of CFSs and latrines. Cesvi will then implement 20 CFSs in Mogadishu and 20 CFSs in Gedo. The specific objectives are:
- increased knowledge and capacity on how to put in place child protection mechanism, including PSS (Psychosocial Support Services) through CFS and referral systems, during an emergency is strengthened.
- the child protection working group and other protection stakeholders are aware of the impact of the PSS intervention as well as the trend of child protection cases in the affected crisis zones.
- vulnerable children affected by the drought and famine crisis have access to psychosocial support; separated children and unaccompanied minors are identified. The budget for the action is USD 415.000.

In South-Central Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland The project “To enhance the delivering of psychosocial support services (PSS) and to reinforce child protection preventive and responding mechanisms in Somalia” funded by Unicef with a budget of 1.115.700 Euros covering 54947 beneficiaries among IDPs and refugees‘ children, traumatized children, local partner NGOs, Government authorities and communities aims at promoting the establishment of effective measures to protect children and put in place or reinforce mechanisms to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse. Therefore in terms of response, the action consists on providing psychosocial and recreational support to the IDPs children as well as guaranteeing a referral mechanism able to respond to other needs such as medical, legal, psychological.
In terms of prevention, the action intends to put in place and/or reinforce the capacity and knowledge of IDPs communities, Local NGOs and Local Authorities in identifying and responding to child protection issues. The methodology is an holistic approach to child protection involving various stakeholders with the purpose of tackling the issue at large and responding to the challenges of child protection in a comprehensive manner. The project will reach the maximum involvement of local authorities, especially ministries differently involved in child protection. Their cooperation is a key factor to ensure the recognition and adoption of children’s rights into the legislation and later to provide for effective monitoring, referral and recovery mechanisms for victims of violence, in close cooperation with local protection and educational networks.

*photo by Mario Bianco