What We Do - TAAKULO

OUR FOCUSES ON FOUR KEY THEMATIC AREAS:

Transitioning from Emergency Interventions to Building Resilience

Investing in sustainable water sources and rainwater harvesting infrastructure for rural pastoralists has been a game changer.

Investing in sustainable water sources and rainwater harvesting infrastructure for rural pastoralists significantly enhances their resilience and livelihoods. It ensures a reliable water supply, crucial during dry seasons, and improves livestock health and productivity, which are essential for their economic well-being. Such investments reduce conflicts over water resources, promote environmental sustainability, and support agricultural diversification. Additionally, access to clean water improves community health and empowers local populations by involving them in water management, fostering ownership and responsibility. Overall, these initiatives transform rural pastoralist communities by addressing immediate water needs and contributing to long-term sustainability and prosperity.

In 2023, it was a remarkable year for TAAKULO’s WASH sector, as they successfully implemented emergency interventions followed by resilient measures to mitigate the impact of drought during dry seasons. Over 275,831 people benefited from various activities in the WASH sector, including emergency water trucking, construction, and rehabilitation of water sources such as boreholes, mega-sized earth dams, and Berkads, as well as the construction of shallow wells, latrines, handwashing facilities, and provision of hygiene kits.

Transitioning from aid dependency to self-reliance

Based on the above summary, TAAKULO made significant contributions to preventing the projected famine in 2023 by reaching over 89,224 beneficiaries with food assistance, unconditional cash transfers, multipurpose cash transfers and food vouchers during their times of need. Our Food and Livelihoods programs have been designed to address the immediate and long-term needs of vulnerable populations, particularly children and their families facing food insecurity during and after disasters. We focus on ensuring access to adequate and nutritious food, often through food and cash transfers, especially for those affected by prolonged droughts.

The recurrent droughts, conflicts and in security of many parts of Somalia and Somaliland has impacted by these crises have migrated to IDP camps in major towns such as Buroa, Hargeisa, Ainabo, Buuhoodle, and Baidoa. As part of our commitment to finding durable solutions for displaced persons, TAAKULO has introduced kitchen gardening programs for IDPs. This initiative, integrated into our resilience programming, aimed to empower displaced populations by providing them with the means to grow their own food, improved their access to fresh produce and contributing to their long-term food security. The success story for the kitchen gardening pilot in the IDPs noted a significant improvement in the nutrition status of children as they consume the crops they grew in their backyard. This also created income for the beneficiary families as they sell the surpluses in the local markets. This initiative also attracted other households in the camp that benefitted from the practical trainings and the continuous coaching. These households in turn started to grow crops.

Protection for women, girls, and children falls short of required standards within the country, where incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection risks have significantly increased. In 2023, droughts exacerbated these issues, along with internal conflicts that led to widespread displacement of women, girls, and children, further compromising their protection. In response, TAAKULO have reached 20,930 individuals through its operations aimed at ensuring the protection of women and children across its operational areas, despite concurrent activities in other organizational thematic sectors. These individuals, severely affected by the droughts, received assistance from TAAKULO, enabling them to overcome barriers and contributing factors that escalated GBV and child protection concerns in their respective locations. TAAKULO’s assistance created safe environments and strengthened their capacity to cope with shocks by developing new coping mechanisms.

11,733 individuals have been provided with information on gender-based violence (GBV) and the protection of GBV survivors. This has significantly influenced the community’s understanding, beliefs, and attitudes towards GBV, prompting them to unite in the commitment to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence. While 4,624 individuals received detailed information on essential services available for GBV survivors. This knowledge enables displaced survivors to stay connected with services, thereby reducing the risks of further harm. Additionally, 4,573 children now have access to child-friendly spaces where they are safe from violence that threatens their well-being. These spaces allow children to exercise their right to enjoy, learn, and interact with each other through sessions on child rights and protection risks, which are linked with the importance of education. This facilitated the adoption of new coping strategies during crises and disruptions experienced during droughts. As a result, there has been an increase in school enrolment due to the safe environment provided.

For the past decade, TAAKULO has been a cornerstone in the health sector, consistently providing medical equipment to hospitals and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centres to enhance service delivery. The organization has also prioritized education by offering scholarships primarily in the fields of orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, and paediatrics. Additionally, TAAKULO has conducted annual orthopaedic and eye cataract surgeries, significantly impacting community health.

In 2023, TAAKULO’s commitment to combating vision impairment continued with a comprehensive eye cataract surgery initiative. A total of 5,266 individuals were screened, resulting in 4,750 receiving essential medical consultations. This effort exemplifies TAAKULO’s unwavering dedication to providing vital healthcare services to the community. A remarkable aspect of this initiative was the provision of eye cataract surgeries and treatments to 303 individuals. This intervention not only restored vision but also significantly enhanced the quality of life for many, underscoring the program’s profound impact on individual well-being.

Moreover, the healthcare infrastructure in Somaliland received a substantial boost with the delivery of two 40-foot containers filled with advanced medical equipment. These supplies were distributed to various hospitals and MCH centers, equipping them with the tools necessary to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes across the region. In addition to these immediate healthcare benefits, the initiative also prioritized the future of medical care by awarding scholarships to 15 aspiring medical doctors. Among the recipients were 4 female and 11 male doctors, highlighting a commitment to promoting gender diversity and empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals.

OUR FOCUSES ON FOUR KEY THEMATIC AREAS:

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