Regional Safety, Humanitarian Assistance and (Im)migration

Regional Safety

Image: ©UN Peacebuilding 
The Netherlands is working to prevent and counter violent extremism in Somalia in a variety of ways. For example, through investments in livelihoods for ‘at-risk’ youth, by contributing to programs that go against child recruitment and by engaging in rehabilitation and reintegration programs, such as activities for former members of violent extremist groups.
 




Prevention of child recruitment in Somalia
The project helps to prevent and seeks to respond to child recruitment by adopting an integrated case management approach at community level. It supports the sustained reintegration of children associated with armed forces and groups in Somalia. A total of 100 children have been placed under case management, 200 duty-bearers have increased their capacity by means of training, and 2,000 community members are involved in outreach activities

Youth engagement to prevent radicalisation
Youth engagement programmes target ‘at-risk’ youth in order to prevent their radicalisation or recruitment. The activities performed under these programmes include setting up youth groups, facilitating youth mentorship programmes, engaging youth in sports and culture, training youth leaders, vocational training and income-generating activities, and online/media counter-narratives in cooperation with youth
Disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration. This intervention category includes support for the disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration of (former) detainees, members of terrorist and violent extremist groups. It can involve vocational training, coaching and psychosocial support, and in-kind or cash support.

The Defence Attaché at the Embassy in Nairobi represents and reports to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence in The Hague. The defence attaché is also an important advisor to the Ambassador on military affairs. The defence attaché in Nairobi is accredited to Somalia, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and the Seychelles.

Humanitarian Assistance 

Image: ©Caritas
Due to the effects of climate change and conflict, the Horn of Africa region is characterized by complex displacement and forced migration patterns as well as recurrent humanitarian needs. The Netherlands contributes to addressing humanitarian needs in Somalia to ensure a more effective response to these challenges. We do so through the Somalia Humanitarian Fund and the Dutch Relief Alliance, alongside continuous support to several UN agencies.
 


Increasing needs
The humanitarian situation in Somalia is worsening due to consistent failure of rain in certain periods and increasing floods in other periods, further leading to crop failures and widespread shortage of water and pasture, consequently resulting in livestock deaths and worsening food security levels across Somalia.
To date, over 8.25 million people, nearly half of Somalia’s population, require immediate life-saving humanitarian and protection assistance. Over 4.5 million people are in need of emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance. Poor access to safe drinking water and lack of adequate sanitation facilities coupled with poor hygiene practices are major threats for the survival and development of affected populations in Somalia.

Approach of the Netherlands
The agenda of The Grand Bargain is key to the humanitarian approach of the Netherlands. Humanitarian assistance should be conducted as much as possible through local and national organisations. Transparency and simplicity in information and reporting is essential. Humanitarian assistance remains a priority for the Netherlands, but when and wherever possible, long term solutions should take precedence. That is why humanitarian, development, and peace actors increasingly connect and find a common approach. Humanitarian experts in the field of flood preparedness and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) contribute directly to needs on the ground, made possible by funding from the Dutch Surge Support.

Dutch Relief Alliance
The Dutch Relief Alliance is an alliance of the international NGOs Plan International, World Vision and ICCO. In cooperation with several national NGOs, they conduct joint humanitarian response in Somalia. One of the advantages of this approach is increased coordination, innovative solutions and a localised approach. The Dutch Relief Alliance is currently active in Sanaag, Sool, Woqooyi Galbeed, Kismayo and Mudug regions.

(Im)migration 














Migration 
The Horn of Africa region is characterized by complex displacement and migration patterns, each country having its own challenges and opportunities. The Saameynta (Impact) programme is developed to address Somalia’s internal displacement challenges in an innovative manner, seeking durable solutions that are affordable and sustainable through addressing specific inter-related systemic blockages, challenges, and opportunities.

Immigration
The Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND) is represented in the Embassy in Nairobi by an Immigration Liaison Officer (ILO) who focuses on the prevention of illegal migration from East-Africa to the Netherlands. Migration related activities and projects are also executed by the ILO in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Congo DR, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Burundi.

The core tasks of the ILO are:
 -Strengthening bilateral cooperation between Somalia and the Netherlands on migration
 -Preventing illegal migration from the Horn and East Africa to the Netherlands/ Europe