Latest news on our children in Somalia

The overall security situation in the capital Mogadishu and many parts of Central Southern Somalia remain very much the same as in May and June when fierce fighting broke out in Mogadishu and spread rapidly throughout many parts of the country. In July and August, heavy fighting continued in many parts of the capital while insurgent groups vowed that they increase the attacks on government/African Union troops during the holy month of Ramadan. Hundreds of civilians are reported to have been killed while thousands been admitted in the hospitals.

In addition, ongoing fighting between TFG forces (TFG - Transitional Federal Government) and armed militia groups in Mogadishu and surrounding areas continued to result in increasing population displacement, within Somalia and to surrounding countries. According to UNHCR, the total number of refugees in Somalia now stands 1.55 million countrywide with 524,000 in the Afgoye corridor a 15 km strip of land between the capital and Afgoye District.

SOS Children's Village Mogadishu

The ongoing war between the government/African Union troops and armed militia groups has continuously resulted in massive displacement in the capital where people flee from their houses. On 12 July 2009, after heavy fighting between government troops (accompanied by African Union Troops) and opposition forces got closer to our project and mortar shells started falling in the area, SOS families have once again moved out of the SOS Children's Village into temporary homes for their own safety. The families are living in four different areas in Afgoye Corridor, which accommodates almost a half million people who have, and continue to escape, from the ongoing fighting in Mogadishu.

All the families have enough lavatories and water supply is constant through tap water. As for now the mothers feel secure because they don't hear the big bangs from the bomb shells. The children are uncomfortable with the contrasting temperatures in the iron sheet houses, cold during the night and very hot during the day.

The SOS families have moved out of the SOS Children's Village for three times. In April 2007, the mothers moved out with their families for safety away from village compound which became a war zone. They lived with the children in their relative's homes, where they stayed for 28 days.

In December 2007 the SOS families moved out of the village for the second time when the village came under heavy bombardment and one of the aunts was killed and two other seriously injured. The families rented houses in three different areas in Mogadishu, where they lived for one year and two months. The SOS families moved back to the SOS Children's Village after the Ethiopian troops left the city and Somalia as a whole. At that time the SOS mothers, children and staff felt there will be no more war in the city.

SOS Children's Village Mogadishu is currently taking care of 64 children (37 boys and 27 girls) and 51 youths, while some of these youngsters are studying outside the country due to the lack of proper education institutions.

SOS Schools, Mogadishu

The SOS Nursery School remains closed and due to the growing insecurity, it is unlikely to be reopened soon.

The SOS Primary and Secondary School, which reopened on 7 March 2009 after relocation, has been closed for August holidays. The school is planned to reopen in mid-September 2009 for the scholastic year of 2009/2010. Maintenance staff have been on the site throughout to carry out repairs as well as renovations on the school compound while some of the teachers have been preparing the activities for the scholastic year.

SOS Medical Centre, Mogadishu

The SOS Medical Centre continues to be operational. Both staff members and patients have full access to the facilities. However, it has been agreed that at the time of insecurity staff members have to remain at home, while for those on duty, contingency evacuation plans have been put in place.

In the last two months (July and August) the clinic has seen an increasing number of patients (women and children) suffering from different illnesses, and nearly 30,000 women and children were offered medical services. As the situation further deteriorates and many more medical facilities remain closed, it is likely that the number will continue to increase.

SOS Nursing School, Mogadishu

Despite the ongoing fighting and insecurity in many parts of the capital, the school has proceeded well. The 2005 class (21 students) sat for the final exams. The results have been released by WHO Office for Somalia and all the 21 candidates have successfully passed the exam and they were issued academic transcript by the school. The diploma will be issued in late October when the graduation ceremony is scheduled to be held. So far six of the newly graduated nurses got employment in many different health institutions in the country while another six have applied to vacancies at SOS Clinic.

The 18 students in 2006 class are now in their third year and they will be finishing their studies at the beginning of 2010. Meanwhile, the 2007 class (24 students) will be finishing their studies and graduating from the school in 2011.

Unfortunately due to insecurity the nursing school principal resigned from the job. However, after a long recruitment process, the new principal tutor started his duties on 1st September 2009. Mr. Abdullahi, the new principal tutor, is a long-term Somali health professional who has been senior lecturer at Mogadishu University. He is so happy to join this wider SOS family.