A handing over ceremony of the 2nd batch of shelter units constructed for the returnees and urban poor in Hargeisa was held at Ayah II settlement on 24th January, 2008.The function was attended by officers of UN agencies, International Organizations; local NGO’s and project beneficiaries. Similarly, Ministries of Interior, Family Affairs and Social Development and Public Works and Housing attended the ceremony.
Filiep Decorte made some remarks, on behalf of UN-Habitat, the agency that carried out the construction of the houses, receiving financial assistance from Government of Japan. He praised the improvement that the beneficiareis have made in the Houses.He mentioned that the project was the outcome of a joint effort between the government, community and funding agencies. He also mentioned that lessons learnt from this project would be employed in future activities of similar nature.
Fosia Ahmed Ismael, representative of the community at Ayaha congratulated UN-Habitat for helping them find appropriate shelter facilities.While she applauded the good work done by the organizations involved in the project, she appealed to UN-Habitat and other funding agencies to strive for the construction of the remaining houses.
Omer Shekh, the Executive Director of HAVOYOCO, the local organization that trained the beneficiaries and carried out actual construction activities, expressed his delight and appreciation towards the completion of the project.He mentioned that as an indigenous organization, his organization felt more responsibility since the beneficiaries are their native brothers and sisters.
Mayor of Hargeisa town, Eng.Hussein Jiciir paid tribute to the organizations that contributed to the completion of the project such asUN- HABITAT, WFP, HAVOYOCO and the local community. Special tribute was paid to the Minister of Family Affairs for the exceptional efforts she has paid throughout the project implementation period. The mayor emphasized that the government would not tolerate and would take measures should the beneficiaries attempt to misuse the constructed shelter units or sell to third party.
Minister of Interior concluded the function by thanking UN-Habitat and other organizations that were involved in the process of finding appropriate shelter for the returnees and urban poor. He praised the UN agencies the marvelous job they have done and at the same time appealed to them to double thier efforts. He explained that Somaliland is just recovering from the impact of the war, and that thousands of its citizens are in dire need of appropriate shelter facilities. He urged the beneficiaries to take care the houses and keep them in good condition. Finally, the minister distributed certificates of appreciation to the individuals and organizations that contributed to project.
Abdirahman Adan
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