International Project
SORAG (Somali Refugee Action Group) was awarded a grant by Comic Relief to carry out a mental health project in Somaliland, in partnership with GAVO (General Assistance and Volunteer Organisation) and other organisations. BasicNeeds provided a period of training in 2003 and in 2004 supported SORAG and GAVO, to consult mentally ill people and their families; advised on the preparation of a baseline and the lay out of a programme including an implementation plan.
The Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) is the only project in
Somaliland that is solely dedicated to improving the conditions of the
mentally ill people and their carers/families in Somaliland. It aims to
enable people with mental illness to actively participate in the
development process within their communities and to secure their basic
rights and needs.
Today, SORAG together with its local partner, GAVO is working with
Hargeisa and Berbera mental health clinics where it is undertaking only
capacity building of the core staff but also providing material help to
them. Although the work SORAG and GAVO are doing is tremendously
helpful we recognise that the mental health problem in the country
cannot solved overnight and that it will take years of handwork before
any noticeable change can take place. SORAG is striving to secure more
funding from various sources to continue the work that it has started.
(If you want more information about this project with a view to giving
support or donating towards this project, please get in touch.)