Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia
Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs (SoOHA)*
1. Foundation & Profile
The Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs (SoOHA) is an independent, non-profit specialized media and research network dedicated to monitoring and analyzing the comprehensive humanitarian landscape in Somalia. Established in Mogadishu on March 21, 2018, through the initiative of academic and humanitarian activist Mr. Saleh Abdullahi Sheikh Mohamed, the observatory serves as a strategic reference for documenting humanitarian challenges and formulating innovative, evidence-based solutions.
2. Vision
To be the leading specialized media and research network in monitoring and guiding the Somali humanitarian scene, ensuring proactive and effective responses to emergencies and crises in alignment with international standards.
3. Mission
To provide credible, field-based knowledge—encompassing investigative reports, research studies, and exclusive interviews—to empower stakeholders in delivering high-impact humanitarian interventions based on accurate and realistic data.
4. Core Values
- Independence: Absolute neutrality and objectivity, operating free from political influence or external agendas.
- Credibility: Relying on verified field data as the primary source and scientific research as the analytical methodology.
- Humanity & Advocacy: Placing human dignity at the core of our mission and acting as steadfast advocates for the rights of affected populations to amplify their voices globally.
- Transparency: Absolute clarity in sources and methodologies throughout all monitoring and reporting processes.
5. Strategic Objectives
- Monitoring & Documentation: Tracking and analyzing humanitarian practices in Somalia, disseminating findings to share best practices and enhance performance.
- Decision Support: Producing specialized reports that contribute to crisis prediction and the formulation of mitigation strategies.
- Public Awareness: Improving public perception of humanitarian work and highlighting its constructive developmental impacts.
- Advocacy & Defense: Highlighting marginalized disaster victims to ensure equitable access to humanitarian aid.
- Influence & Mobilization: Motivating humanitarian organizations and policymakers to adopt more efficient and effective relief policies.
- Consultancy Services: Providing technical expertise and advice to local and international institutions in relief and development sectors.
- Knowledge Partnership: Exchanging information and expertise with research centers and media networks with shared goals, locally and globally.
- Capacity Building: Training humanitarian activists and professionals in high-level reporting and field research methodologies.
6. Strategic Focus Areas
- Humanitarian Clusters: Monitoring and evaluating the performance of organizations across all relief and development sectors.
- Climate & Environment: Monitoring the impacts of droughts, floods, and forced displacement on affected communities.
- Protection & Advocacy: Defending the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities in crisis and conflict zones.
7. Operational Methodology
SoOHA utilizes an integrated operational framework consisting of:
- Field Research Teams: For primary data collection directly from crisis-affected areas.
- Advisory Board: Expert consultants who transform raw data into sound scientific recommendations.
- Advocacy Media Platform: Dedicated to fact dissemination and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable to the international community.
8. Professional Commitment
The observatory adheres strictly to the highest ethical codes of humanitarian journalism and international humanitarian principles, ensuring that all research outputs meet the global standards recognized by international aid agencies.
* SoOHA: An acronym derived from the Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs.