Background and objectives:

Somalia is still emerging from a long period of conflicts and instability, which have led to large scale displacements. At the height of the most recent conflict, over 400,000 are reported to have fled Mogadishu. However, most of the urban poor and IDPs are unable to escape the violence. Lacking the funds to move and resettle elsewhere, they try to remain in the city, as this is their best chance of getting access to livelihood opportunities. IDPs and urban poor in this desperate situation lack access to water and sanitation, proper shelter, education, and health facilities
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UN-HABITAT, through its local partner SAACIID, has been supporting community-based dialogues in the different districts of Mogadishu since the beginning of 2007. The objective is to foster partnerships between the different local stakeholders. This allows them to tackle some of the issues in their districts (such as garbage collection, access to clean water, security) with the means at hand, before broader support programmes can be rolled out.
In 2003-2005, similar support was given to two districts in Mogadishu (Bondheere and Abdul Aziz). A recent survey showed that the upgraded market infrastructure is still operational and has enhanced the livelihoods of a number of urban poor and IDPs.

The objectives of the project were to:

• Improve the living conditions of the urban poor / IDPs in Mogadishu
• Stimulate livelihood opportunities for urban poor and IDPs in Mogadishu:
• Strengthen community-based partnerships while upgrading neighbourhood level infrastructure and services, building on ongoing district profiling and consultation exercises.

Activities:
The main activities included:

• District level consultations between all key stakeholders and the communities to define common priorities, including a strong focus on the situation of the IDPs.
• Formulation of action plans, focusing on the upgrading and rehabilitation of community infrastructure (public toilets, garbage collection points, water kiosks)
• Improvement of livelihoods for IDPs
• Implementation of action plans, using community grants.

Results:
The results achieved were:

• Agreement on priority interventions among key local stakeholders (including women and youth groups, business people, traditional leaders, etc.) in nine districts of Mogadishu;
• Action plans formulated, through a participatory process, for the nine districts.
• Priority interventions resulting in upgraded and rehabilitated basic infrastructure for vulnerable communities.
• Improved livelihoods for IDPs.