Djibouti: Health project for refugees
AAH Djibouti management and field staff teams attended a two-day training hosted by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) from 6th to 7th June 2017.
This training was conducted in preparation for support towards strengthening tuberculosis (TB) and HIV services in refugee camps. A grant by IGAD and Global Fund (GF) will support improvement, availability and utilization of tuberculosis and HIV services by refugees through complementing the efforts of other development partners and national programmes.
The goal of the 2-day training was to create a common understanding about the indicators and performance measurement of the performance framework of the grant among program and monitoring and evaluation staff. It also aimed to support the improvement of TB/HIV data quality.
AAH’s Finance officer Mahad Mohamed said, “I look forward to working with the teams to strengthen the grant management and link the programmatic achievement and fund utilization in the camps under this grant.”
AAH Djibouti field staff teams comprised doctors, nurses, pharmacists and community health supervisors from Ali Sabbie, Ali Addeh, Holl Holl, and Obock sites. Other participants were from UNHCR and TB/HIV and HIS officers from the Djibouti Ministry of Health.
L to R: Project doctor Yacoub Houssein Ardeyeh, Finance Officer Mahad Mohamed, Country Programme Manager Meltanan Gomintan, Program Manager Tharcisse Mulindwa, Consultant/Trainer GF/IGAD Dr Tsegay Legesse, Project Doctor Salam Abdisalam, and Pharmacy Technician for Holl Holl refugee camp Mohamed Omar
“The topics on data quality improvement in relation to the performance framework will enhance effective and efficient implementation, which is likely to result in increased project effectiveness and outcomes”, said Meltanan Gomintan, AAH Djibouti Country Program Manager.
An initial behavioral assessment in the targeted area of intervention, Ali Addeh Refugee Camp, is planned for August 2017.
Being blind hasn’t stopped me from singing about peace
Yei River County, located 105km west of the capital Juba in South Sudan, was host to a one-day peace and reconciliation concert on 7th July 2017. The goal of the concert was to promote the spirit of peaceful co-existence amongst the south Sudanese communities living in Yei, and to advocate for human rights, gender equality and hard work.
This is the second edition of the concert being held under Capacity Building for Post-Conflict Reintegration (CAPOR), a project being implemented by Action Africa Help South Sudan. At least 10 music artistes took part in the event. The event was graced by the the local community, including the local area chief Waningo Charles.
The main guest artist was 19-year-old Alex Sebit, known by the stage name ‘Dr. Amplifier’. It is easy to enjoy his soulful music conveying messages of peace, respect for human rights, and gender and equity. He sings in simple Arabic and in one of the local languages, Kakwa.
Alex (in dark glasses) performing during the peace concert in Yei in July 2017
Alex is visually impaired. His story might have turned out different had he not been trained on music composition. “Although I cannot see, my ears, memory and determination keep me moving.”
The first time he walked into the CAPOR office in Yei to record his songs, it was hard to believe that he was going to make any strides in music. But Alex silenced skeptics when he got behind the microphone in 2010. Alex now makes a living from musical performances during events in the town.
Alex is now learning how to play the piano and is inspiring other people living with physical disability in South Sudan.
CAPOR is funded by Bread for the World. The goal of CAPOR is to tailor information, education and communication activities to support rural populations in Equatoria Region to successfully participate in the social and economic community development, and to contribute to a peaceful reintegration and social rehabilitation of an independent post-conflict South Sudan. Since its inception in 2007, the project has been working and supporting peace committees, fine artists, women groups, puppetry builders, radio drama groups and Boma Development committees.