SOMALI DISABILITY CLUSTER ........................................................................8

I. Executive summary

Introduction This 44 pages report prepared by Somalia Disability Cluster (SDC) was conducted as part of the organization’s review efforts to determined status and gaps existing in the humanitarian aid and development programs in Somalia among the Disabled People Organizations and People with disabilities and to come up with appropriate action plans and recommendations to the concerned authorities and agencies. SDC aims to be on the forefront in identifying existing humanitarian aid gaps among the DPOs as well as recommend both immediate and long-term solutions.

I. Assessment Methodology

The assessment employed direct and indirect communication and focus group discussions (FGDs) through online and telephone calls among the actors of the target populations and groups. The assessment engaged a total of 21 IDP cams hosting several thousand beneficiaries and 20 DPOs serving thousands of beneficiaries. During the assessment, professional data management was ensured at all stages.

II. Report Findings

The situation for People with disabilities and Disabled People Organizations efforts to accessing humanitarian aid and other social services throughout this review were described by respondents as ‘invisible’ or ‘forgotten’. Our teams’ field visits and participatory activities with stakeholders revealed that DPOs and PWDs are not included in planning and distribution of humanitarian aid support by the various agencies and government authorities. All these groups identified similar challenges such as the inaccessible physical environment, lack of awareness in the communities,