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Why is SOMSTARTTS needed?

Why is SOMSTARTTS needed?

Somalia is experiencing internal civil conflicts for over a two decades. The international community attempted to get solution for Somalis problem many times including but not limited to organising and supporting a number of peace reconciliation as well as a number of transitional federal government. But never supported in helping Somalis to deal with the every trauma they are enduring from the every day war and civil unrest, as a result the Somalia Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (SOMSTARTTS), with representation from Somalis in Australia and Kenya, was set up in December 2009 as a non-profit organization to work towards establishing services to support people in Somalia as well as Somali refugees in Kenya with their psycho-social needs.

SOMSTARTTS is registered as a non-profit organization in Australia and is working towards registration in Kenya also. The aim of SOMSTARTTS is initially to provide training for agencies working in Somalia and with Somali refugees living in Kenya to assist them to understand the impact of trauma and provide more appropriate services, and in the longer term to provide direct torture and trauma rehabilitation services in Somalia and to Somali refugees in Kenya.

Target group
i) People in Somalia who have experienced torture and trauma as a result of organised violence.
ii) Somali refugees living in Kenya, both those registered with UNHCR and living in refugee camps, and those living in urban settings.
iii) Organisations and individuals working with Somalis in Somalia and Kenya.

SOMSTARTTS will also seek partnerships with relevant organisations working in Somalia and with Somali refugees in Kenya, for example the Centre for Research and Dialogue (CRD) and the African Rescue Committee. CRD is committed to promoting democracy and consensus decision-making at the policy level by encouraging and supporting the participation of citizens in the affairs affecting their lives, and the African Rescue Committee provides services around the core areas of emergency response, rehabilitation, development and advocacy for Somali refugees in Kenya and Somalia.

SOMSTARTTS is initially seeking funding to carry out an in-depth scoping study. The purpose of this study will be to conduct a needs analysis, establish links with partner and potential partner organisations, map what is already happening on the ground in Somalia and for Somalis in Kenya and how support can be developed to complement current arrangements.

Speakers: Mohamed Baaruud

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