ARC Somalia

Head Office: In Somalia (Mogadishu) and in Minneapolis (HQ)

Where ARC Will Work in Somalia: ARC is operational in Mogadishu and working with the Mayor/Governor of Benadir. We'll also be working in areas in the north of the country where refugees from the south have come, fleeing the violence and unrest in the southern part of Somalia

People To Be Served in Somalia: Drought-affected and displaced Somali families, youth

Our famine response targets tens of thousands of drought-affected people in Mogadishu. We've been providing food distributions, non-food items, protection services, medical care, support to local hospitals and clinics, constructing and repairing water systems, and building latrines to ensure proper sanitation.

ARC's program in Somalia is quite different from our other programs around the world. We're doing similar work: providing lifesaving relief (health care, shelter, clean water, and more) to families who've been forced to flee their homes. And we'll work to give young people access to new opportunities. But the fuel that fires the program will be much different.

What's different? We are uniting and mobilizing communities outside of Somalia to provide desperately needed help in Somalia. Basically, the efforts, creativity, hardwork and support of people and communities around the world are making our efforts in Somalia a reality.

The City of Minneapolis, Greater Twin Cities United Way, the Internally Displaced Somali Advisory Council, UCare and ARC are the first partners in this effort.

The Somali diaspora community is critical to the success of this program. For decades they've seen their home country suffer through war and one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in the world. They haven't been able to make a systematic impact. Now, they'll be able to engage their communities and those outside their community to bring lifesaving relief and development to Somalia.

• Lifesaving Relief
  & Development for Displaced Somali Families
• Health Education
• Cash for Work Programs
• Safe spaces for children
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services
• Food Relief
• Medical care and support to existing medical institutions

A council of high energy, reputable individuals - 5 women and 6 men - from the Somali community in the U.S. worked hard to get this program off the ground.

Two members of the council traveled with ARC staff to Somalia in 2010 on an assessment mission to learn how displaced Somalis were living and what they needed.

They've organized dozens of small group and townhall meetings to solicit feedback and encouragement for the program.

Current Needs: 

The time is now to help in Somalia. The famine devastated communities. The famine is technically ended, but Somalia is still considered the worst humanitarian situation in the world today. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at-risk. If you're interested in getting involved, get in touch with us. Call Jessica or Said at (612) 872-7060 or email us at info@archq.org.

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