Horn of Africa: two SDC humanitarian workers tell us about their work
Article, 19.08.2016
The international community celebrates World Humanitarian Day on 19 August. To mark the occasion, the SDC pays tribute to its own humanitarian workers. Natacha Pugin and Abdi Kunow work day in day out providing food assistance in the Horn of Africa.
Several hundred experts make up the SDC's Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA). Whether in Bern or abroad, as members of the SHA on assignment in the field or in reserve, these men and women work in a wide range of areas, in all countries around the world that need their help.
The Horn of Africa, for example, faces a multitude of crises, including natural disasters, conflict and extreme poverty. Somalia is the epicentre of the region’s humanitarian crisis, with the highest rates of malnutrition in the world. The UN estimates that 4.7 million people require humanitarian aid in Somalia alone, equivalent to 40% of the population.
So who are the men and women who choose to work in these challenging environments? How do they do their job and what does it entail? What motivates them? We take a closer look at the work of two SDC experts in the Greater Horn of Africa.
Natacha Pugin
Position: Member of the SHA, seconded to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Somalia
Place of work: Nairobi, Kenya, with occasional travel to Somalia
Length of assignment: 12 months
Her job
Natacha is responsible for providing technical support in the implementation of cash-based transfer programmes. She is part of the WFP's Programme Unit in Somalia.
The beneficiaries
The WFP provides food assistance to millions of men, women and children using a digital beneficiary and transfer management platform called SCOPE. To date, the details of over 1.2 million people in Somalia have been entered in SCOPE. In the first half of 2016, 440,000 Somalis in acute need received food assistance by means of electronic cards.
A typical day
Natacha works in Kenya at the Nairobi liaison office. Her assignment began four months ago. New technologies allow her to do a substantial amount of work remotely whilst remaining in close contact with teams on the ground. Natacha liaises between the WFP’s various functional and operational units. She takes part in regular analyses of cash-based transfers to ensure that they are in line with market prices and also helps to foster ownership of the system among all national colleagues and partners involved with the WFP.
The benefits of digital technology
Thanks to the transfer system, programme beneficiaries can choose and buy their food from retailers nationwide. Data digitalisation means that nutrition programmes can be tailored to the needs of the worst affected population groups, such as pregnant women, babies and children. It also makes it easy to monitor the programme. According to the project officer, the technology enables an appropriate, reliable and flexible humanitarian response whilst boosting the local economy.
The challenges
Humanitarian travel is closely monitored in Somalia. The situation on the ground is difficult and unpredictable. Owing to the highly unstable climate in the country, Natacha’s first field assignment in August had to be postponed for security reasons. In her view, the main challenge with working in such contexts is finding the right balance between the needs of the population, risk management and the complexity of the environment in which the teams operate. It is a situation that requires humility and pragmatism. For Natacha, the discrepancy between the immense needs of the population and the resources available to humanitarian organisations is sometimes difficult to accept.
What motivates her
Natacha feels privileged to work in humanitarian aid, doing a job that is consistent with her values. Her assignment as a WFP programme officer represents a constant challenge: developing sustainable local solutions to ensure that everyone has access to adequate nutritious food all year round and to end malnutrition in all its forms by making the best possible use of 21st century technologies. “Working with teams who do an incredible job only strengthens my commitment even more,” she explains.
Her background
After graduating in economics and social sciences from the University of Fribourg, Natacha spent several years working in the financial sector in Zurich and New York. She was then taken on by the International Committee of the Red Cross as an administrative coordinator, where she worked in various countries (Ethiopia, South Sudan, Burundi, South East Asia and Central Asia). At the FDFA’s Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit she is a member of the Coordination and Administration expert group and has undertaken a range of assignments in Bern, then Liberia, Lebanon, Madagascar and now Somalia.
Kunow Abdi
Position: Food security programme officer, Horn of Africa, Swiss cooperation office in Kenya
Place of work: Nairobi, Kenya – Frequent travel to Horn of Africa (Northern Kenya, Somalia)
His job
Kunow works for the SDC in the Horn of Africa in food security and rural development domain. His priorities are water supply for pastoral communities and livestock, improved rangelands management and boosting the resilience of people enduring food crises.
The beneficiaries
Kunow is currently involved in two projects providing assistance for communities in Somalia and northern Kenya. The Somalia Resilience Programme supports 420,000 shepherds, farmers and people living in city suburbs. The resilience of the community plays a vital role in food crisis management in this programme. In the provinces of northern Kenya, the Kenya Resilient Arid Lands Partnership for Integrated Development (Kenya RAPID) supports water supply in several regions benefiting 435,000 people.
A typical day
The programme officer is based at the Swiss embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. As the SDC is one of the project partners and not the direct implementer, Kunow mainly works remotely in close cooperation with the SDC local teams. He visits the operations in the field several times a year, meeting the various partners and monitoring and evaluating the programmes.
The challenges
Visiting some areas is still dangerous, even for people from the Horn of Africa. Aid operations are protected by armed escorts in most parts of Somalia, particularly in southern and central regions. Kunow stresses just how much rigorous prior planning is involved. He lives in the relatively secure Kenyan capital. Restrictions on the freedom of movement and the sense of insecurity sometimes encountered when working in this region also represent challenges.
What motivates him
Kunow has vast experience of working in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. “I’m very familiar with this fragile and sensitive environment. These are my roots. I’m very much at home in this part of the world,” he explained. “It’s extremely rewarding to apply your skills, expertise and experience to an initiative that has a direct impact on the lives of thousands of people.” Kunow speaks the local languages facilitating interaction with the communities. He also has a better understanding than anyone of these people’s needs. Somalia is more severely affected by the chronic food crisis hitting the Horn of Africa. After almost three decades of war, conflict and lack of operational government, Kunow believes the resilience of Somalian communities in dealing with drought, famine and poor harvests has been eroded. He added: “There is tremendous humanitarian need. The SDC gives me the opportunity to play a part in the assistance process.”
His background
Kunow comes from the County of Garissa in north-eastern Kenya. After studying veterinary medicine at the University of Nairobi, he spent several years working as a programme manager for various international NGOs in Kenya and Somalia. He then took a master’s degree in food security and international development in the UK. He subsequently returned to the Horn of Africa, to work as a food security specialist for the SDC over a year ago.
Links
Swiss Humanitarian Aid: saving lives and alleviating suffering
The SDC: engagement in fragile contexts and prevention of violent conflicts
Somalia Resilience Programme, SomReP
Resilience for Pastoralist Communities in Northern Kenya
Cash transfer programming – Make beneficiaries an integral part of the humanitarian response
SDC projects in the Greater Horn of Africa
Somali Resilience Programme (SomReP)
01.10.2024
- 31.12.2025
SomReP aims to foster sustainable livelihoods and increase the resilience of (agro-) pastoralist communities to climate shocks across Somalia. By supporting vulnerable communities to better cope with ecological disasters SomRep makes an important contribution to mitigate key drivers of fragility in Somalia and thereby promotes Switzerland’s interest to strengthen stability and economic develop ment in the Horn of Africa region.
Supporting principled and efficient NGO coordination and promoting youth employability through South Sudan NGO Forum
01.08.2024
- 31.07.2025
The project aims to facilitate NGO Forum to effectively support NGO Forum members in the principled delivery of aid assistance to save and improve lives in South Sudan through information sharing, coordination, advocacy and networking, capacity enhancement and representation on behalf of the forum members. The project will also support the NGO Forum to re-initiate internship program for fresh young South Sudanese graduates with NGO members of the Forum to gain work and professional experience with the aim to improve their employment prospects.
Kenya: Empowering refugees and host communities in Dadaab through market-led solutions (EMPOWER)
01.07.2024
- 30.06.2028
The project envisages to unlock the potential of displacement-affected communities (DACs) by providing access to capital, skills development, market opportunities and entrepreneur-friendly policies. The project aims to deliver on long-term economic growth, self-reliance and decreased dependency of DACs on aid. This sustainable approach offers a pathway out of poverty and towards thriving entrepreneurial livelihoods in Kenya.
Provision of CCCM, protection and social cohesion responses to Sudan crisis affected populations in Renk and Manyo Counties, Upper Nile
01.06.2024
- 31.03.2025
To respond to the needs of the growing number of refugees and returnees crossing the border into South Sudan due to the ongoing crisis in the Sudan, both in camp and host community settings. The intervention will improve CCCM, WASH2 and protection in Renk town, in the Transit Center (TC) at Renk and in the Reception Centre (RC) in Joda and Manyo.
Community Health Provision in Somalia (CHASP)
01.05.2024
- 30.04.2027
The programme provides maternal and child health services in Somalia in targeted facilities. It strengthens the capacities of regional and district health authorities including of health personnel working in these facilities. The programme promotes access in terms of basic health services and skilled health personnel at decentralized levels. This is connected to the Swiss interest of promoting service provision and good governance capacities especially at grassroot levels, which also feeds into the transformation/ development agenda of Somalia.
Good Financial Governance (GFG)
01.05.2024
- 30.04.2027
The project contributes to strengthen Tanzania’s public financial system, a central element to cement its economic status. The 3rd phase aims at expanding the mobilization of domestic revenue and improving the government’s expenditure control. It shall strengthen interinstitutional mechanisms for tax data exchange, enhance the audit system, and improve public procurement. At policy level, it seeks to develop an evidence-based and gender responsive fiscal strategy for better public service delivery to benefit the population, especially the poor.
Add. Allocation of SDC Funding (Africa Division) in 2024 to ICRC Operations in South Sudan
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2024
SDC funding to ICRC operations allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide immediate protection and assistance for people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises.
Safeguard Young People (SYP) - Tanzania
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2026
With 62% of its population below 25 years, the Safeguard Young People (SYP) programme supports Tanzania’s demographic dividend. The project advances young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through a gender-responsive and inclusive policy environment, empowered youth who make informed decisions, and responsive health and education systems. SYP builds on 10 years of regional experience and UNFPA’s expertise.
2024 Additional allocation to WFP Country Strategic Plans (NHF)
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2024
The war in Sudan entered its second year. Sudan is facing a major humanitarian catastrophe. The conflict also affected neighbouring countries, in particular Chad and South Sudan who are already struggling with a dire humanitarian situation that pre-existed before the conflict broke out. The consequences of the war exacerbated the acute food insecurity situation in those countries. With additional funding, SDC reinforces WFP’s emergency response to deliver life-saving food and nutrition assistance in Sudan, Chad and South Sudan.
Support to UNHCR Tanzania
01.12.2023
- 31.12.2024
Tanzania hosts 244’000 refugees, mostly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the majority living in refugee camps. Dropping out of school is a major concern among children refugees, exposing them to an increased risk of child labour, early marriages and pregnancies. By supporting the cost of their yearly school examination, Switzerland contributes to ensure children refugees’ access to education is maintained, enhancing better long-life perspectives.
Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF)
01.10.2023
- 30.09.2025
Switzerland’s contribution to Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) for the implementation of the Productive Social Safety Net Program (PSSN) contributes to the protection of 1.5 milion poor households in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar through cash transfers, public works and livelihoods enhancement. Also evidence generated through this support will inform and reinforce Swiss engagement in national policy dialogue on social protection, beyond PSSN.
South Sudan, UNFPA: Strengthening Prevention of And Response to Gender based Violence (GBV) in South Sudan
01.09.2023
- 31.08.2026
The proposed funding ensures the continuation of lifesaving GBV prevention and response services, including Clinical Management of Rape (CMR), Psychosocial Support Services (PSS), Legal Aid, Protection, as well as referrals to livelihood opportunities in two (2) established GBV One Stop Centres (OSCs) and a Safe House (SH) in Wau Western Bahr El Ghazal (WBG) and Kuajok, Warrap State. An outreach office and two mobile teams will be established in one remote area for referrals. Existing community based-groups capacities will be further enhanced. UNFPA will pursue advocacy on key policy reforms related to GBV.