SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM Issue 3

Somali Relief &

Development

Forum

May/ April

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR LATEST PROJECTS AND WORK IN THIS ISSUE

September/ October

2013

Newsletter

It’s been an eventful month for both SRDF and its member organizations on the ground. While water wells have been established in areas across Somalia, our fundraising team has been busy recruiting volunteers and organizing a number of exciting events. The SRDF Team has also been hard at work campaigning against the closure of Barclays accounts. Read on to find out more about the recent work we’ve been involved in.

Remittances: Somali Community Representatives Come

Together to Campaign against the Closure of Accounts

SRDF campaigns against closure of Somalia’s lifeline

SRDF recruits volunteers at University Fresher’s Fayres in London

SRDF hosts women’s only yoga session and a fundraising charity dinner.

Members come together under the banner of ‘Invest in Somalia’

SRDF launches its 2013 Qurbani Campaign

On Friday 27th September, SRDF along with representatives of various Somali community groups came together outside of the DFID headquarters wherein a roundtable meeting was being held to discuss issues regarding the closing of Barclays accounts. The meeting was attended by Barclays, Oxfam, SOMSA, FCO and various other groups. Significantly, there was a lack of presence from representatives of British Somali-led charities, aid agencies and community groups. Owing to this fact, the representatives mobilised themselves outside the headquarters where they distributed leaflets and campaigned in support of Somali communities which will be severely affected by the closure of the accounts, thus ensuring that their voices would be heard.

SRDF, as an umbrella organisation that funds and supports Somali led charities to deliver and implement projects on the ground in Somalia is concerned by the lack of information being disseminated, especially given that it, like many other charitable organisations uses the money services to transfer funds quickly and efficiently where most needed. Over 40% of the Somali population receives money via money transfer services to meet their basic human needs. The withdrawal of this service may result in a preventable humanitarian crisis.

We understand that the roundtable meeting was aimed to address the role of remittances at large; however we feel that given Somalia’s unique

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 2

We understand that the roundtable meeting was aimed to address the role of remittances at large; however we feel that given Somalia’s unique position as a relatively unstable country with no banking system in place it should have been given more attention.

Speaking to SOMSA representatives following the meeting, it was made clear that Barclays would not change its decision to close down the accounts, at most they may offer a possible extension of two weeks, however at present, even this remains unconfirmed.

We remain concerned by the far-reaching effects the closure will have on communities across Somalia. SRDF urges the Somali community to come together and demand an urgent resolution to this crucial issue.

Earlier on in the week, SRDF joined forces with Somalia SOS and took to the streets of Westminster in order to raise awareness and distribute leaflets in support of the remittance companies. In total seven staff members and volunteers covered the areas of Whitehall, Westminster and Millbank. The team successfully distributed a large number of leaflets and also engaged many people included priests and FCO staff. The closure of the accounts will pose an even greater challenge for security and stability in a country which, after 23 years of conflict and insecurity, is finding its way. Following the Somalia conference in May, Britain has taken the lead in the international community’s commitment to rebuilding Somalia. A failure to find a workable solution to the absence of remittances stands to undermine these very efforts.

It is crucial that a lasting solution be put in place in order to reduce the risk of a preventable humanitarian crisis in the area. Executive Manager of SRDF, Emanuela Rizzo says ‘We will continue our campaign until our voices are heard and a lasting and sustainable solution to this issue is reached.’

SRDF writes to the Prime Minster

SRDF writes to Prime Minister on behalf of more than 40 charities led by British Somalis, urging him to help save a crucial lifeline to one of the poorest countries in the world.

“We call on the Government to act decisively and expeditiously if it is to avoid yet another humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The deadline set by Barclays is fast approaching. The Prime Minister must encourage Barclays to extend the deadline for closing the accounts of Somali MSBs by 12 months whilst we look at working together to ensure a lasting solution can be identified”, said Mukthar Behi, Chairman, Somali Relief and Development Forum.

http://www.srdf.org.uk/news/british-somali-charities-urge-prime-minister-to-help-maintain-lifeline-to-somalia/

Spreading Awareness in Westminster

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 3

SRDF Recruits Volunteers at University Freshers Fayres

SRDF has enjoyed a busy few month when it came recruiting and signing up volunteers!

Fundraising Assistant, Tanya Das says ‘the Queens Mary Fresher’s Fayre on the 18th September went fantastically, our stall was buzzing with interested and enthusiastic students. We managed to get 180 sign ups from the students. We also managed to liaise with the Islamic Society, Somali Society and the Volunteering Society. I am in the process of booking the launch for the 14th October to welcome these students.

With the St Mary’s Volunteer fair in Twickenham, we have attracted 20 students, which is looking good especially considering there were less than 300 students present at the fair. Many of those who signed up expressed an interest in helping with research in a number of diverse areas.

We have two more volunteering fair coming up one in SOAS University 7th October 2013 and one in City University on the 23rd October 2013.’

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 4

On Sunday 1st September, the Somali Relief and Development Forum joined forces with four of its Somali-led member organisations to launch a month long fundraising and awareness building campaign, ‘Invest in Somalia’. The campaign led by SRDF, was implemented by the following organisations; Horn of Africa Aid, African Development Trust, African Relief Fund and MUFED. The aim of the campaign was to unite and bring together SRDF members and the Somali and non-Somali community at large under the banner; ‘Invest in Somalia.’

For the first time in decades, Somalia is slowly but surely undergoing a unique and positive transformation. The Somali Relief and Development Forum aims to be at the forefront of this transformation. Together with the support of the Somali and the wider community, we would like to invest in building a brighter and more sustainable future for Somalia.

With this campaign, SRDF and its members plan to move towards a more positive, unified, community-led and sustainable form of development. We hope you will be part of this innovative campaign that will make a real difference in mobilizing communities to build a better life for themselves and for their families by investing in Somalia, in particular our key sustainable development projects encompassing the areas of education, food security and community empowerment.

At SRDF, our people bring a profound understanding of the people and their culture, and of the issues and challenges they face. We bring a multi-dimensional approach to address the most immediate needs, but also, through engaging closely with communities, we establish long-term programmes to ensure sustainable change. SRDF would like to focus more on sustainable forms of development. At the same time, we will remain alert and receptive in case of an emergency or crisis.

www.srdf.com/investinsomalia

SRDF Members come together under the banner of ‘Invest in Somalia’

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 5

Invest in Somalia: Two Events. Two Days. Both in Aid of Somalia On September the 28th and 29th of September, the Somali Relief and Development Forum organized and put together two events, both in aid of Somalia. An Invest in Somalia Charity Fundraising Dinner (where the organization launched its campaign Invest in Somalia) and a women’s only Yoga session at Nadi Park Royal.

We would like to thank all those who attended our events and donated towards the betterment of Somalia.

Women’s Only Yoga in Aid of Somalia

On Sunday 29th September, SRDF hosted a pilot women’s only event. The event sought not only to encourage and empower women through fitness, but also offered women the opportunity to make new friends, have fun and learn how to use the power of yoga to channel positive energy in all aspects of life.

Yoga is an ancient art aimed at training the consciousness. It is a system of exercises practised as part of the discipline to promote control of the body, mind and spirit. The session will cover breathing techniques, meditation and different ways one can channel positivity thus enhancing ones quality of life. This event also sought to promote greater inter-cultural cooperation and collaboration through facilitating the coming together of women of different backgrounds under the banner of ‘Invest in Somalia.’ The funds raised through the yoga event will go towards our life-changing community empowerment, food security, water well, library and higher education projects. We are currently looking to hold a similar event very soon!

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 6

‘Invest in Somalia’ Charity Fundraising Dinner On Saturday 28th September the Somali Relief

and Development Forum presented a Charity Fundraising Dinner like no other. The event, held at TKC Chaudray’s, was hosted by film-director and all round creative Hassan Rasool. Other guests included Fundraiser Adnan Rashid. Other speakers included SRDF executive manager Emanuela Rizzo and SRDF trustee Abdurahman Sharif. During the evening Shaykh Sulaiman Gani also gave an excellent speech on the importance of charity.

The charity fundraising dinner was in aid of Somalia. A total of 30% of the money raised on the night will go towards providing emergency medical supplies to Galkayo Hospital, in particular we seek to open up vital pediatric and maternal services in the hospital.

Since MSF's withdrawal in Somalia, medical services have suffered tremendously. SRDF is determined to see that these life-saving services are readily available once more. The other 70% of funds raised will go towards our Invest in Somalia projects in areas of education, community empowerment, food distribution and more.

SRDF would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for attending our charity dinner and investing in Somalia. We hope you will continue to support us to support Somalia.

www.srdf.org.uk/investinsomalia

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 7

Organise a Movie Night #5

1) Set up a Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/srdforum

2) Decide where and when you want to have your Movie Night

3) Once you've set a time / date/ venue, write up a list of invitees

4) Pick a film to rent/ buy, if you’re going for a Somali-themed movie night, you can order one online at http://www.alfaqistudio.com/somali/Somali_DVD

4) Charge £5 entry per person

4) Buy pop-corn, drinks etc.

5) Come to our offices for a chat about what we do, pick up some t-shirts, standing order forms and leaflets to distribute at the movie night.

9) During your movie night do a collection for SRDF, hand out the leaflets, standing order forms and spread the word about SRDF and our newest campaign Invest in Somalia!

10) Take lots of pictures and send them to us, we’ll post them on our Facebook and Twitter along with a warm thanks!

11) Add the offline donations to Just Giving page

12) Once you have reached your target you can send SRDF the money via Bank Transfer. Remember to specify what you want the money to go towards, i.e. water well, scholarship programme or food packages etc

It’s that easy. Start organizing today, and InvestinSomalia

Fundraising Ideas Bank

Here at SRDF we would like to put the 'fun' back into

'fundraising’ and as such we would like to encourage YOU

to raise money for Somalia doing something you will really

enjoy, whether that's organizing a party, hosting a movie

night or leading a group hike!

Keep a look out for a whole range of idea's we will be

sharing on our Facebook page over the coming months!

If you have any ideas or firsthand experiencing organizing

fundraising events, get in touch with us at info@srdf.org.uk

and we’ll share them with others. Make a difference today.

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 8

Every year Muslims around the world perform Qurbani, the slaughtering of an animal, in order to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) intended sacrifice of his son Prophet Ismail (A.S.). From an Islamic perspective, Qurbani is not only an act of submission to the will of God but also a means of bringing joy and happiness to the poor and needy section of the Muslim community. Last year, with your donations the Somali Relief and Development Forum was able to distribute Qurbani meat to over 11,424 people living across Somalia, in eight locations scattered in six regions. In the Kismayo area alone 200 sheep/ goat were sacrificed providing food for 5,600 people and in a Banadir Orphan Centre in Mogadishu we provided food for 728 orphans and need. At SRDF we have invaluable experience in performing and distributing Qurbani, thus you can rest assured that your donation will reach the people who need it most. Thousands of women, children, orphans and elderly people are waiting and hoping for your Qurbani this year, so please don’t delay and invest your Qurbani to Somalia this year. Together with your support and donations we may feed even more people in Somalia and can bring smiles to the faces thousands of others. You can donate your Qurbani to SRDF from as little as £37. Enjoy your Eid ul-Adha knowing that due to your kindness and generosity, many of our brothers and sisters will not go hungry, this year donate your Qurbani to the Somali Relief and Development Forum. Donate your Qurbani now: http://www.srdf.org.uk/investinsomalia/

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 9

Positive News Headlines

Somalia: Canada Strengthens Support

for Security in Somalia

"Canada has a large Somali community, which

contributes to the economic and social fabric of our

country," said Member of Parliament Ted Opitz.

"Today's discussions helped strengthen our

relations and our strong people-to-people ties."

Canada announced a contribution of $6.02 million

to programs that address a number of areas,

including security, conflict management and

human rights.

Millions Pledged for Somali Recovery

The European Union, along with other donors, are

supporting a three-year reconstruction plan called

the New Deal Compact - aimed at strengthening

the political system, improving security, and

continuing gains made during the transition.

Source: All Africa http://allafrica.com/somalia/

Positive Pictures

Source: Discover Somalia/ Tumblr

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 10

Project Updates SRDF members are currently in the process of building water-wells in areas across Somalia. At present, only 29% of the population in Somalia has access to clean drinking water. SRDF funds and supports the building of water wells providing much-need and life saving clean water to a large number of communities. Further these water wells are maintained by the communities themselves, thus offering a lasting and sustainable solution to limited water supplies and access. SRDF has funded its member organizations HUDA and ADT to build water wells in Bula Sheikh in Lower Shabelle region, Las-Anod in Sol Region, Buufowbacaad of Marka District and Gaalware of Afgoye district.

The community living in Bula Sheikh is predominantly Agro Pastoralist who mainly depends on rain, river fed crops and livestock. However due to prolonged dry spells, the economical situation of these communities has drastically deteriorated. People in this region are not getting enough water to drink, bathe or clean. Thus this water well will be a massive asset to the community and will benefit more than 300 households

Las Anod is the administrative capital of the northern Sool region of Somalia. It’s economic is mainly centered on pastoralism. Las Anod is strategically positioned along trade routes in northern Somalia. The water well in Las Anod will benefit over 184 households.

In Buufowbacaad and Gaalware, the wells will provide 734 households with clean water. Further our member organization ADT will train members of the local communities to manage water facilities by forming and training water management committees in Gaalware and Buufowbacaad.

Watch this space for more updates on our projects!

For more info on our projects, visit our website: www.srdf.org.uk

Upcoming Events

Street Fundraising

-Birmingham City: 11th October

-Islington, London: 26th October

-Wandsworth, London: 30th October

Volunteers needed for London Street Fundraising.

Get some experience, meet new people and help out

in this excellent cause!

Volunteer Welcome Launch

Queen Mary Univerity ‘Volunteer Welcome Launch’

(Date and Venue to be Confirmed)

Qurbani

SRDF will be running its annual Qurbani campaign

this year and will be hosting an event to explain the

significance and benefits of Qurbani.

Interfaith Football Tornament

As part of Inter-Faith week, SRDF will be organising

a football tornament. Watch this space for more

details!

SOMALI RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FORUM | Issue 3 11

Contact us:

Phone: 020 8991 3344

Email: info@srdf.org.uk

Somali Relief and Development Forum

7th Floor, Westgate House

London, W5 1YY

Follow us:

Twitter: @SomaliRDF

Facebook: /SomaliRDF

Tumblr: srdf.tumblr.com

Website: www.srdf.org.uk