New direction for World Vision International Somalia program

“…therefore, I should now change my title from relief to release manager “. These were the words of Foday as he pondered on the paradigm shift required to adopt the Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) approach. Foday Sawi is the Relief Operations Manager at World Vision International Somalia program.

Foday was one of the 17 participants attending a customized course facilitated by the IIRR Africa Regional Center. The training took place at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Nairobi from 10th to 14th July 2006. The majority of the participants were senior national and international program staff. Five (5) Somalia national staff attended the course, which enabled the facilitators and participants to contextualize the training to Somalia real life situation.

As this is a very practical and hands on learning course, the Somalia national staff used practical site-specific case studies for the simulations exercises. Therefore the analysis of the hazards, identification of vulnerable individuals and groups, and the existing capacities were very real.

In one of the very engaging discussion on conflict and how one should respond in an emergency situation, one of the staff gave a personal testimony on how his village had been raided and how he escaped. Many other deep reflections were the order of the day in the training as participants reflected on the models they use to carry out relief oriented development interventions and how this will need to change after the training.

In the evaluation, the participants rated the course very highly and some of the comments made were:

“I will always think – risk reduction – when collecting information or designing programs”

“The idea of a CD is excellent and I am particularly happy about the references provided in it”

“The course exceeded my expectations, I now feel confident to apply this approach”

“The course was an eye opener and re-envisioned my thinking and community approach perceptions. I learnt a lot. The IIRR team was great both in facilitation and in mixing with participants. Continue the good work”

“I would like to thank all the participants and facilitators for their effort. The course was relevant to my field work and my community at large”
Abdirashid, Somalia national staff

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Posted on: October 18, 2006