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FIRST FIREFIGHTING VEHICLE AND UPGRADING THE DISTRICT FOOTBALL STADIUM OF BALAD DISTRICT
By Daryeel Project with Balad Community
Using a participatory community consultation process, the Balad community prioritized the purchase of a firefighting vehicle and the upgrading of the district football stadium. These projects address urgent needs for the entire district.
Balad is the second-largest district in the Middle Shabelle Region after Jowhar District. It is located approximately 40 kilometers north of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. Balad district, with its 82 villages, is home to over 136,307 households according to the Somali Population Estimate 2014. The majority of the population consists of farmers, pastoralists, and agro-pastoral communities living in the riverine areas and other parts of the district. The Shabelle River passes through the district, dividing the town into north and south, with the north being the most populated part. Under the Daryeel Programme and the regional engagement plan for Hirshabelle State, Balad was selected as the pilot district for the Daryeel Matching Grant initiative aimed at implementing community-priority projects with financial contributions from the community.
The Balad community selected two priority projects: purchasing a firefighting vehicle and upgrading the district football stadium. The firefighting vehicle is essential to combat frequent fires that affect markets and households, helping local authorities save lives and properties. The stadium upgrade will provide a safe, engaging space for sports, which is an effective social cohesion tool to unite youth within and across communities. Sports keep youth engaged and provide alternatives to idleness or joining armed groups. Both projects will enhance relationships between the government and the community, promote social stability, and improve community wellbeing.
The purchase of the firefighting vehicle and the stadium upgrade can be funded through the Daryeel matching grant project, which supplements community-raised funds at a set ratio. Since both projects will benefit all residents of Balad District and require collaboration across various groups and clans, the matching grant ratio is 1 to 4. The expected community contribution is $30,000 with the project matching $120,000.
These projects were identified as priorities through inclusive Community Based Planning (CBP) conducted in November 2021. This government-led, community-owned process brought together representatives from different socioeconomic groups to assess their location by mapping resources, understanding strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and setting community priorities.
Thank you for contributing towards improved firefighting capacity and expanded sports and recreational opportunities for the Balad community through the purchase of the firefighting truck and stadium upgrade. This will benefit the entire Balad district!
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