Since the beginning of HIV/AIDS infection in Somaliland, many NGOs, CBOs and other groups have emerged in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, SAHAN Network affiliates 105 LNGOs and these organizations have struggled to contain the spread of the infection due to lack of coordination, networking, and limited experiences and resources. To rectify this problem, Somaliland HIV/AIDS Network (SAHAN), a network of all the local organizations that address HIV/AIDS issues across Somaliland, was formed in December 2003 with the mandate to coordinate and improve the efforts of those organizations working with HIV and AIDS in Somaliland regions. SAHAN has the mandate to play a key role in the expansion of the overall HIV response in Somaliland, through capacity building, resource mobilization, advocacy and lobby, networking and coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).  Whilst SAHAN member civil society organizations are increasing and their capacity to identify, design, implement and control HIV and AIDS intervention programs is in adequate or limited, the Network is committed to strengthen and coordinate their  existing efforts and resources as well as mobilizing external support from national and international donors. The membership of the network is open to increase SAHAN member CSOs, which are operating in the six regions of Somaliland. For instant, SAHAN realized that the best way to respond HIV and AIDS is to coordinate the CSOs, business sectors and traditional/religious leaders in the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS spread. Furthermore, most of the Somaliland community does not get enough HIV and AIDS information and education particularly pastoral community and women. However, SAHAN has the obsession to develop HIV and AIDS prevention strategy with the help of community, UN agencies, INGOs, SOLNAC, LNGOs, and CBOs, who works with HIV and AIDS.  

Vision

The Vision of SAHAN is to see the realization of a society in which the spread of HIV/AIDS is contained and the people living with HIV/AIDS are treated humanely and without discrimination

 Mission

Somaliland NGOs AIDS Network mission is to build solidarity among AIDS related organization in Somaliland, strengthen and support them intervention to accelerate HIV/AIDS prevention, promote care and support to reduce HIV/AIDS and mitigate impact

 Goals

 SAHAN shall achieve these goals through concerted and co-coordinated efforts on the areas of:

 ¨      Advocacy and lobby  

¨      Capacity building

¨      Networking and Coordinating

¨      Resource mobilization

¨      Monitoring and evaluation

Objectives

• To facilitate the coordinated response to HIV/AIDS by CSOs in Somaliland
• To exchange and to share relevant information of the HIV/AIDS situation, trends, and experiences in the country and beyond.
• To strengthen the capacity of HIV/AIDS organizations to design and implement task focused, result oriented, cost effective and sustainable programs

 Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 March 2010 )