ABOUT US

The Rainwater Association of Somalia (RAAS) is non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan national membership association with diverse multi-disciplinary professional individualsand multi-sectoral institutional members of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), religious organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), private sector, think-thank, research, education and training institutions.

 RAAS was officially formed on 16th June 2005 and legally registered with the federal government of Somalia on 20th July 2005. In Somali language, acronym of the Association (RAAS) has two useful meanings for the social and economic life of the Somali people. It first denotes “HABITATION” and secondly “FAMILY”.

 RAAS is a member of the Greater Horn of Africa Rainwater Partnership (GHARP) that brings together with national rainwater associations of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Tanzania and the Southern and Eastern Africa Rainwater Network (Sear-Net), that brings together with the national rainwater associations in Eastern and Southern Africa countries including GHARP members.

 RAAS is also member of wider regional and global networks including African Civil Society Network on Water & Sanitation (ANEW),Arab Countries Water Utility Association (ACWUA), International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA), Global Water Partnership (GWP), Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC),Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN), Earth Charter International (ECI), Freshwater Action Network (FAN), Gender and Water Alliance (GWA), World Toilet Organization (WTO), Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA), Ecosystem Service Partnership (ESP), Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA) and UN Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN).    

 In conclusion, RAAS is an active member of the larger humanitarian and development coordination structures in Somalia since 2005 and partner with several UN-Agencies and international NGOs including but not limited to UNICEF, FAO, WFP, IOM, UNHCR and ICRAF.RAAS has also an effective working relation and partnership with the line Ministries of the federal government of Somalia, federal member states, municipal governments and grassroot community organizations and leaders.

 VISION

Sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic developments equal to all.

 MISSION

To improve food/nutrition security,WASHand promotion of integrated natural resource management with complementary innovative social enterprise, climate resilient/market-oriented technologies and services in partnership with other stakeholders to meet the sustainable development goals in Somalia by 2030 and Africa Centennial Vision 2060.

 OBJECTIVES

a) To enhance the capacity of beneficiary communities in project planning and implementation to ensure ownership, sustainability, transparency and accountability to communities, government and donors.

b) To promote implementation, development and replication of integrated natural resource management programs with complementary innovative social enterprise,climate resilient and market-oriented technologies for improved livelihoods, food security, nutrition, WASH and environmental sustainability.

c) To promote gender and human rights mainstreaming, community-based conflict resolution mechanisms and linking existed traditional systems to the conventional rule of laws and good governance.

d) To promote publicity, advocacy and support for the development of appropriate policies, strategies, technologies and guidelines to improve social services and natural resources management.

e) To promote and sustain networking, collaboration and partnership at national and global levels.

f) To provide technical support, consultancy services and capacity building to NGOs, CBOs, private sector, government institutions and other development partners.

g) To promote research, technology development and disseminations of integrated natural resource management with complementary climate resilient and market-oriented technologies.