EYL, Puntland (Aug. 1, 2012) – Members of the Somali Family Services (SFS) staff visited the coastal district of Eyl in Nugaal region last week to assess the needs of the community and opportunities for intervention.  SFS is looking to increase its presence in Eyl and work to improve the livelihoods of the community through economic and political empowerment.

SFS Executive Director Abdurashid Ali and development advisors Josh Linden and Kathleen Schmermund met with residents of the Eyl towns of Bedey and Daawad, including the Eyl Mayor and members of the District Coucil, teachers, elders, women, youth and other representatives of civil society.  The SFS staff spoke to Eyl residents about their livelihoods, local governance, as well as access to media and communication.

Situated on the eastern shore of Somalia approximately 220 kilometers from Garowe in Nugaal Region, Eyl has experienced stagnated economic growth over the past two decades, having endured the consequences of its remote and rugged geography, poor infrastructure, limited access to education and instability caused by the local piracy movement.  The Eyl District Council has taken steps to address some of these challenges in recent years, including soliciting international support to modernize the unpaved road leading from Eyl to other population centers to the west and north.  Construction of the new road will begin in the next few moths, which the community hopes will ultimately open new opportunities for trade and commerce.

In addition, the Puntland government, with international backing, engaged the Eyl community in a successful anti-piracy campaign designed to wield the influence of religious leaders, elders, businesses and families to provide a united front against the piracy movement. As the town has become increasingly inhospitable to piracy and related activities, the pirates and their leaders to have moved their operations elsewhere.  The Eyl Mayor said, “You have seen with your own eyes that Eyl is peaceful.”

Despite these mild successes, Eyl continues to stand in a vulnerable position. Although piracy has decreased through the community’s coordinated campaign, the region has not yet seen a corresponding rise in economic growth or opportunity.  This is where SFS hopes to work with the Eyl community in the future to bring greater prosperity and opportunity to the district.

Somali Family Services is a non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering a peaceful and democratic Somalia through the support of civil society, women, youth and other marginalized groups.

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For more information, please contact Kathleen Schmermund at Kathleen.Schmermund@ussfs.org or visit www.ussfs.org.