HIRDA stands for Himilo Relief and Development Association

The word 'Himilo' is a Somali word which means ‘vision’. Founded by members of the Somali diaspora in the Netherlands, HIRDA works with local organizations to find lasting solutions to poverty and human suffering in Somalia. Since their formation in 1998, HIRDA has become one of the leading migrant organizations in the Netherlands working on aid and development issues. They also established strong collaboratins with partners such as UNICEF and INGOs.

The Vision:

A Horn of Africa where people live in peace, without hunger and with equal opportunities for all.

In July 2021, Fatumo Farah, Director of HIRDA, trained 18 HIRDA Somalia staff, partners and diaspora volunteers with the aim of enhancing diaspora development impact and  building capacity about project management. This is to ensure that aid delivered to the affected people is more effective, efficient, accountable, transparent and sustainable.  

The training course included Project management skills, financial management and leadership. The participants have learned the whole project management cycle, from the initial phase up to the designing, implementation, monitoring and project closing.

However, HIRDA does much more than trainings. They are involved in:

• Equal educational opportunities for boys and girls
• Promoting women empowerment in Somali society
• Mobilizing relief services for refugees and internally displaced people
• Creating income-generating activities
• Promoting social engagements within local communities
• Mobilizing the Somali diaspora to engage in the development of their home country 

HIRDA is acting as a bridge between local communities and international donor organizations and are politically neutral and non-discriminatory.