News

02-13-2012 - IDP project In Beledhawo-Somalia

September, 2011 HIRDA’s made a humanitarian donation appeal to both the International Aid agencies and Somali community in the Diaspora to respond to the severe drought in Somalia. Comic relief, IDRF, HCI, ETWA and Somali Diaspora have all answered HIRDA’s call by donating both money and in-kind. Through this support and donations, HIRDA was able to reach and help many Somalis living in the IDP camps in Beled Hawo.This drought has immensely affected most of the regions in the central part of the country, causing both human and animal death. The drought has been the cause of the displacement of many families in Somalia.
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01-03-2012 - HIRDA AFT 2011 was Colourful as Ever......!

This year Amsterdam Fustal Tournament which was held on the 24th and 26th of December 2011 at Sporhallen Zuid in Amsterdam, was as colourful as ever. A huge numbers of Somalia youngsters from all over Europe including United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland converge in Amsterdam to battle for the championship position of this prestigious event. This event which was organized by HIRDA at the last month of the year is used to bring Somalia youth all over Europe together. The event major goal is to empower the Somali youngsters in the Netherlands and other part of Europe through sport, and foster a true sense of belonging. The event also provides integration opportunity, instills discipline, social interaction and development in these groups of youngsters.
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2011

11-25-2011 - Radboud University students Visit 2011

For the fourth year in a row, HIRDA had the privilege and successfully hosted the students of the Radboud University. Charleen Dedden HIRDA project officer presented HIRDA in general and ongoing projects in Somalia. They were also shown the video on Somalia and the IDP camps that was recorded during HIRDA’s team visit to Somalia in August. At the end of the short video, Fatumo Farah explained the strengths of a Diaspora organisation such as HIRDA and it faces in a country like Somalia, where there is lack of effective central government.
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11-14-2011 - Another Africaday

On Saturday 29 October, HIRDA attended Africa day (Afrikadag) organized by the Evert Vermeer stichting. The Africa day was organized for the sixth time. This year, HIRDA had a stand where visitors of the Africa day could obtain information on HIRDA. As part of the Babis initiative, Laetitia de Veth, a henna artist, helped us by making henna tattoos and donated 80% of the revenue to HIRDA. The day consisted of workshops, lectures, debates, film programs and even speed-dating with directors of several NGOs and IGOs, which contributed to a diverse and informative day.
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11-03-2011 - Stop FGM in Somalia

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a violation of human rights and poses immediate and longterm health consequences to girls and women. FGM is a major concern in Somalia which is not being addressed at all. Many women do not have enough information about this harfull practice. HIRDA's intention is to create a campaign which will bring back the attention of the publict to the practice of FGM with the endresult to eradicate FGM.
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10-27-2011 - IDP Project with Comic Relief

Comic Relief was the first donor agency who promptly responded to our call regarding with the severity of the drought, which has caught the attention of the International Community. Comic Relief has also recognized this issue as a humanitarian disaster, and has generously funded this relief project to alleviate the current crisis. We would like to thank Comic Relief for enabling HIRDA to help the drought affected IDPs in Beledhawo area.
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10-27-2011 - HIRDA director visit in IDP camps in Somalia “ IDPs can’t wait”

The director of HIRDA Fatumo Farah has recently paid a short visit to GEDO IDPS. Jan-Joseph Stok, a photographer, from the Netherlands accompanied Fatumo for her visit in the IDP Camps. What he saw in the camps is appalling no words can describe the devastation and suffering of the people. Fatumo described what she saw in the camps as dreadful and expressed the situation as the worst drought in 60 years. It was very shocking to see mothers who were not able to feed their children because of lack of necessary basic needs. She also saw very fragile elderly people who have been affected by the famine.
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09-29-2011 - Update Famine in Horn of Africa

HIRDA has organized a meeting on 15/09/2011 at 6pm held in Volkskrantgebouw, Wibautstraat 150, ground floor and invited many NOG’s and the public to watch a short documentary related about the famine crisis in Somalia . Fatumo Farah The executive Director reported on the current famine crisis in the camps and its implications. Also she told the meeting the horrific stories she saw in the camps and the need for more urgent response from the international community. Jan-Joseph Stok, a photographer, from the Netherlands who accompanied Fatumo for her visit in the IDP Camps was also present in the meeting
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09-09-2011 - Somali update event

As most of us know, the worst famine and drought currently occurs in the Horn of Africa since 60 years. Many organisations and countries already donated money and their help. HIRDA invites you for an evening with photo and video reports about the status of the crisis in Somalia. Jan-Joseph Stok, a photographer, will present pictures from his visit to refuguee camps in South-Somalia, which HIRDA’s director Fatumo Farah and he made together this August.
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08-08-2011 - THE DROUGHT AND CONFLICT CAUSED MASS DISPLACEMENT AND SCHOOL DROP OUTS

Almost all the schools in Gedo and Galgadud regions are fee based to sustain teachers’ salaries and school maintenance a policy adopted by HIRDA and other national NGO’s running education activities. The drought has been severe across the country, but especially in the South - central regions notably in Hiran, Galgadud, Middle and Lower Shabelle, Bay, Bakol and Gedo mostly in areas where HIRDA is active.
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07-25-2011 - Cry for Help!

As we have been informing you via our Newsletter and website the situation at the Horn of Africa and specifically in Somalia is continuing to deteriorate.For the past 20 years Somalia has lacked a central government, has been embroiled in civil war and a large part of the population has suffered from a humanitarian crisis.
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07-13-2011 - Press Release (Humanitarian Crisis: The Somali Humanitarian nightmare…!)

Yesterday because of Civil war, violence and poverty, today it is the most severe drought in the last 60 years which is adding pressure to the already weaken, state of Somalia. 12th July, 2011 Amsterdam-In numbers, 3000 people flee their homes every day, according to the BBC, without no food and water setting off to the refugee camps on the Ethiopian and the Kenyan borders. In Kenya, Dadaab refugee camp is the biggest and the main destination of most of the Somalis who take on this dreadful journey. Originally built to accommodate 90 000 people, today it shelters 382 000 refugees, meaning it is at around 400% of its capacity, while thousands more are waiting at the ‘reception’ area for registration in the hope of getting basic necessities
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07-07-2011 - HIRDA organize a humanitarian workshop in Somalia Independece Day Celebration

This year (51st) Somalia independence day celebration was marked with a colorful event which encompasses a drama stage by the Somalia women organization known as Somali Solidarity Council and several workshops. The event which took place on the 2th of July in Rotterdam was used to address several issues currently facing Somalia.
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06-27-2011 - Nike Company Donation

HIRDA organizes a Football Tournament twice a year, one field football event and the other Futsal, for the young Somalis in the Netherlands and in Europe to improve their integration in the host countries and also to engage young Somalis in development aid.
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06-16-2011 - Web 2.0 training

11th of June 2011 HIRDA together with 1%CLUB organized WEB 2.0 training which focused on the role of Social Media in fundraising activities. After a brief introduction of both organizations, participants enjoyed the introductory session to Social Media. The main topic was why do we need Social Media and why are they fulfilling such an important part in functioning of any organization or completing any project? Social Media offer us the platform where we can not only exchange ideas, but also attract attention of publicity and bring general popularity, it is so called – spreading function.
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06-12-2011 - The Global Diaspora Forum

17-20th of May 2011, Fatumo Farah, director of HiIRDA Organization has attended Global Diaspora Forum, which took place in Washington. The event was sponsored by a state department which brought together Diaspora communities around the countries to highlight the unique ways the communities contribute to their home countries.
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03-10-2011 - International Women’s day Celebration!

Dedicated to Somali Women living in Somalia, HIRDA organised the Somali Women Gathering on the 5th of March 2011 in conjunction with this year’s International Women’s Day, on the 8th of March. Around 50 Somali women; mothers, aunties, sisters and daughters, participated in the event which was hosted by HIRDA in Amsterdam.
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2010

12-29-2010 - Manchester WPSC Wins Amsterdam Futsal Tournament 2010

On 25th and 26th December 2010, HIRDA successfully organized the HIRDA Tournament “Amsterdam Futsal Tournament”(AFT) 2010. This year’s tournament was won by Manchester WPSC in the UK with Reewijk taking the second place. A total of 16 teams from Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Vlaardingen (SNG), Leicester (Lions), London (Nabbada FC, Mogadisho FC), Manchester (WPSC), Tilburg, Maastricht, Reewijk, Winterswijk, Den Haag, Norway, Rotterdam and West London Somaliland community participated in this year’s tournament.
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11-25-2010 - HIRDA Hosted a group of students from Radbrough University in Nijmengen (The Netherlands)

As part of HIRDA’s initiative to raise awareness and inform the Dutch public about its work in Somalia and also to work together with academic institutions, we had the privilege to host a group of students from Radbrough University in Nijmengen (The Netherlands) on Tuesday 16th November, 2010.
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10-29-2010 - Upcoming Amsterdam Futsal Tournement 2010

On 25/26 December, HIRDA will organize the 6th edition of the Amsterdam Futsal Tournament. Every year HIRDA organizes the Amsterdam Futsal Tournament as part its activities to engage the Diaspora and the youth in particular to participate in the development
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10-27-2010 - Tens of thousands displaced by clashes in Somalia

Fierce fighting between rival militia groups in Somalia has forced an estimated 60,000 people from their homes, UNHCR reported Tuesday. Briefing journalists in Geneva, spokesman Andrej Mahecic said some 40,000 people had sought safety in neighbouring villages following recent clashes between the Al Shabaab militia and a rival group allied to the government in the town of Beled Hawo, near the border with Kenya. Many were now living in the open without access to food, water or sanitation.
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09-02-2010 - OPENING CERMONEY OF OF DOOMEEY IDP SCHOOL BELEDWEYNE –HIIRAAN

Somali has been ravaged by civil war since 1991.The educational system has been totally destroyed. anarchy and instability has led the country into disarray .Many people were forced to flee from their homes and look for shelter to make shift camps through out the country(especially south and central Somali and outskirts of Mogadishu).A large number IDP’’s have landed in Beled weyn ,where they can cope and receive the necessary human needs.
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06-29-2010 - Mogadishu and Sheik University offer scholarship to students

Every year a lot of students after graduating from Secondary schools in somalia do not get the opportunity to further their education. This is because of the financial constrains that faces students and their families. These students do not also find jobs to do. Based on this problem HIRDA has over the years been lobbying to ensure that a certain number of students each year get the opportunity to pursue their education.
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06-29-2010 - FIELD VISIT AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMME IN NIGERIA

HIRDA had the opportunity to participate in Oxfam-Novib,s KIC (Knowledge Infrustracture with and between Counterparts) exchange programme that was organized between Somali Education Program Group (SEPROG) a network organization based in Somalia and Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) also a network organization based in Nigeria. The programme was held on 19th - 31st of May, 2010.
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06-25-2010 - Remittance Company grants schollership to Orphan studens

Twenty ophans (20) who are students from HIRDA schools in Somalia have been awarded a scholarhip by KAAH EXPRESS a remittance company which has offices in Den Haag and Tilburg , the Netherlands. The Scholarship is aimed at enabling these ophans to go through their education and also ease the financial burden that normally prevents them from attaining education to a good level.
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05-21-2010 - HIRDA Team: the winner of Summer football tournament 2010

The HIRDA Soccer summer Tournament was first held in May 2008 as part of HIRDA,s goal to engage the youth in development by organizing a football tournment among the youth in the Netherlands. We believe that sports is a tool through which we can meaningfully encourage and engage the youth to participate in development activities and initiatives both in their countries of origin as well as countries of residence. This years tournament was a huge success, and a decision was made to continue holding it yearly. The tournament was organised this year on Sunday 16th May and total of 8 teams competed during the one day tournament which included approximately 100 players taking part in over 24 matches.
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04-26-2010 - HIRDA Workshop on Africa day

Education is a basic human right for all children, including those in conflict affected countries. Education is not a relief activity; it is central to human and national development. Armed conflict creates large populations of displaced people and exposes children to serious risks. These premises formed the basis on which HIRDA organized the workshop entitled “Enabling education in conflict-affected African countries: delivering quality education, is it possible?”during the just ended Africa Day 2010, in Den Haag, The Netherlands.
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04-13-2010 - Africa day 2010

The Africa day is the largest national public event on Africa and development cooperation in The Netherlands, with more than 50 political debates, workshops, lectures, and cultural programs. Evert vermeer stichting (EVS) organizes this event yearly. Africa day attracts over 2,000 visitors each year, over 150 national and international guest speakers, and fifty cooperation organisations contribute to this event. HIRDA is one of the organisations that will be organising workshops during the Africa day this year. Our workshop is entitled “Enabling education in conflict-affected African countries: delivering quality education, is it possible?”
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03-11-2010 - First African Dinning was Successfull

‘Education for Girls in Africa’ was the title of the unique event of African Dinning 1 organised by Hirda on the 4th of March 2010 in Amsterdam. Hirda is an organization that encourages education and gender equality in East Africa, especially in Somalia and focuses to develop the reconstruction of Somalia. This event was aimed to enhance the involvement of African Women Diaspora and International organization to work towards increasing education opportunity and equality for girls in Africa. Hirda’s director, Fatumo Farah has opened the event with warm welcoming to the guest and was hosted by the TV presenter Andrew Makkinga, originally from Uganda.
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01-12-2010 - Rotterdam winner of the HIRDA’s fifth Amsterdam Futsal Tournament

AMSTERDAM- The Amsterdam Futsal Tournament (AFT) was held on the 26 and 27 2009 in Sporthallen Zuid in Amsterdam -Zuid. The yearly event initiated and organized by HIRDA to increase the participation of youth in sports en development work. The tournament was an exciting one whereby 16 teams from Holland and abroad fought for the championship. Eventually the Rotterdam team succeeded to win the cup, followed by number two team Vlaardingen and debutant Reeuwijck. Top player of the tournament Warsame Dahir Arey (24- years old) of the Rotterdam team; ‘ the only reason I could have played that good was because of my team who gave me confidence!’
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2009

12-17-2009 - Upcoming HIRDA’s 5th “Amsterdam Futsal Tournament 2009”

HIRDA is proud to present the fifth tournament ‘‘Amsterdam Futsal Tournament 2009’’ the tournament will be held on the 26th and 27th of Dec 2009. This tournament comes among the tournaments which HIRDA held since 2005, therefore after five years of spontaneous success of the tournaments. see: amsterdam-tournament.hirda.org
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12-03-2009 - The HIRDA peace & Development Cup

The HIRDA peace & Development Cup: Final Match was held in the big football ground in the district Abudwaaq, as a result of the cup which 12 teams participated, Nearly Hundreds of football fans watched the games during the competition, the objective of the tournament is to get people closer in Somalia, which continues to fragment as it descends further into violence, mayhem and misery. HIRDA believes that sport is one the best ways to bring people together away from conflicts & war.
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11-20-2009 - Developmet Aid: Necessity or Fate

What do African diaspora really think about development Aid itself? It is always about Africans, but they rarely come to the word themzelf. Is the development aid necessity or even fatal?
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09-24-2009 - HIRDA Hosted IFTAR for somali community in the Netherlands

HIRDA foundation hosted on 17 September 2009 an Iftar gathering for Somali community in the Netherland. The purpose of the iftar was to raise awareness of the basic eduction in Somalie and to strengten the network of the community in the Netherland. The motto of the gathering was “education for all”. The Iftar were attended more than 50 Somali prominent community members and somalie elders
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09-17-2009 - Monday 21 September: Hague In Peace “One day without war”

During the international day of peace on September 21 there will be a big peace-event organized at het Plein, next to the parliament building in the Hague . The event will include a mix of serious topics during interactive debates and live entertainment with Pete Philly and Perquisite and DJ Billy the Klit. Admittance is free, Afternoon program will be indoors. For more information check www.hip-day.com
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09-10-2009 - Mosquito nets distributed in Sakow districts, middle Juba region (Somalia)

The 21,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) from UNICEF were distributed by HIRDA in Sakow and 121 surrounding villages in Middle Juba districts in Augustus. HIRDA health team were also sent to that district to teach people on the importance of LLIN use; how to hang the nets and the danger of malaria. The team also gave information about the prevention techniques
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08-25-2009 - AFRICAN DIASPORA 20x20 NIGHT 23 September 2009

Africans in the diaspora are increasingly being recognised as valuable actors in development. Their stories show us that their seemingly small contributions can have a great impact on the lives of people here and in Africa.
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06-22-2009 - HIRDA distributed food to 300 IDPs in Beletweyne and Abud-wak district in Central-Somalia

Through out 2008, lawlessness and insecurity has led humanitarian situation in Somalia to deteriorate to a new dimension. Daily fighting between Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the opposition has created a massive displacement on a scale never seen before in Somalia.Thousands of families in Mogadishu were forced to flee from their homes and seek shelter to makeshift camps through out the country (especially around Mogadishu and through out Central & Southern Somalia).
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06-01-2009 - Amrsfort team won HIRDA summer football Tournament cup 2009

Team Amrsfort has won on Sunday 24 May Hirda Amsterdam summer Tournament 2009. The tournament was organized HIRDA foundation and ASDA Foundation. The organizations want to involve the young Somalis and Ghanaians in development aid through sports. Moreover the foundations want to build a peace network for the Somali and Ghanaians youth in the Netherlands.
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05-15-2009 - Hirda participated Africa dag 2009

HIRDA has participated Africa day at 25 April 2009 which was held in the Hague high school in the Netherlands. Evert Vermeer stichting organises once a year Africa day in the month April to get attention for the continent. This day means a lot for the whole continent, because people were given a lot information about development in Africa.
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04-20-2009 - Parents must take the ownership

Hirda changes education system. The three-year program is changed from 2008 to 2010. Henceforth, Hirda covers part of the education costs. Hirda paid the complete cost of the three-year education programme that lasted from 2004 to 2007 including salaries, books etc.
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2008

12-18-2008 - 18 december Migrants International day

Migrants International Day was celebrated worldwide on Thursday the 18th of December 2008. It was also celebrated in The Netherlands. HIRDA, a member of the Diaspora Forum for Development (DFD) attended the event organised by DFD in The Hague.
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05-30-2008 - Hirda celebrated 10th anniversary

Hirda foundation celebrated her 10th anniversary together with the foundation Doses of Hope, a Somalia-Dutch Development Organisation on the 30th of May 2008. DOH does her work especially in the Northern part of Somalia also called Somaliland.
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