Employment Generation for Early Recovery

Since the inception of the Employment Generation for Early Recovery (EGER) project in mid-2008, 9 sub-projects have been completed successfully. These projects have employed a total of 16,600 beneficiaries and generated a total of 450,000 working days. EGER has continued project implementation through partner NGO Somali Youth for Peace and Development (SYPD) in Beletwein, involving the labour-intensive rehabilitation of five irrigation canals and four culverts. The subproject provided employment opportunities to 430 beneficiaries and generated a total of 10,750 work days in January 2009. Similarly, implementation of the project is on course in Lower Shabelle (Merca and Kunturwarey Districts) through partner NGO Aragti Releif and Development Organization (ARDO); the work involves a road rehabilitation sub-project and the Afaraad Canal rehabilitation subproject. In Lower Shabelle, 652 beneficiaries have been employed and 13,000 work days have been generated. For all of the above-mentioned subprojects, a minimum of 30 percent of the beneficiaries are women. January 2009 saw the official opening of the Afgoye Market subproject, implemented by local partner NGO COMORAD. The subproject was supported by EGER and funded through CERF. In the same month, the Maternal and Child Health Care and emergency room facilities at Benadir Hospital were also officially opened. These facilities were rehabilitated through a labour-intensive sub-project, implemented by local partner NGO Soma Action, with funding from the Italian Government. The EGER project aims to generate employment opportunities and income for vulnerable populations in Somalia, particularly women, marginalized groups and youth. The project is ultimately expected to employ a minimum of 50,000 beneficiaries through labour-intensive physical and social infrastructure rehabilitation initiatives. The initiatives are formulated with the participation of local communities and are implemented in partnership with a number of local NGOs and community-based organizations.