Zamzam History
Zamzam Foundation is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization founded in mogadishu in 1992 with a mission to provide people affected by human and natural crises in the Horn of Africa with emergency relief, educational programs, clean water and food security, health care, protection for children and orphans, sustainable socio-economic programs, and to promote peace-building and effective governance, while integrating our values of respect, impartiality, quality, accountability, advocacy and innovation in all our work. We have since grown to become the largest national humanitarian and development organization in Somalia with almost three decades of experience providing relief and socio-economic support services to those most affected by the joint forces of conflict, war and recurrent climatic shocks. Our organization’s headquarters are in mogadishu, with field operation offices across the country and international offices in kenya and turkey.
Even as Somalia is witnessing a rebirth in development, reconstruction and peace-building, recurrent climatic shocks (droughts and flooding) and protracted civil war have left the Somali people and society in critical need of assistance at all levels. Decades of political instability and erratic climate changes have left vast populations, especially in rural areas, living in extreme poverty with high morbidity and mortality rates. The demand for basic necessities for survival are very high.
The need for emergency survival support and sustainable social and infrastructure development has never been greater and is crucial to ensure the survival of Somalia and prevention of future conflict.
Our programs are focused on serving the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the Horn of Africa, namely children, adolescent boys and girls, women, persons with disabilities, people from minority clans and other marginalized groups and internally displaced persons (idps). The sectors we work in are humanitarian relief, health care, education, orphan and childcare, economic development and sustainable livelihood, water and sanitation as well as peace-building and governance.
Zamzam Foundation is ISO-certified and has membership in various regional and international humanitarian consortiums and networks. It also has consultative status with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (IOC)’s office for the coordination of humanitarian action.
Historical Timeline
Zamzam 2018-2023
We continue investing in people through training and support for farmers, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, youth, women and other marginalized communities. We also focus on institutional strengthening through strategic planning, staff development and streamlining of programming
Zamzam 2012-2017
Two decades into our work, we focus on sustainability and community development. With a clear vision and an acute awareness of the real needs of real people gained after many years, we embark on the development of targeted projects which help people while enabling them to become active agents of change in their own lives and communities. We believe that real community development occurs when the people who live in it are involved and leading it.
Zamzam 2007-2011
We embark on institutional development and system strengthening. This is a significant milestone in our journey; we have accumulated a wealth of practical experience and renew our vision and commitment to a career in humanitarian service and development. Our organization is a trailblazer in the establishment of transparency and effectiveness in humanitarian service delivery to vulnerable and destitute people in Somalia. This raises our profile in regional and international humanitarian platforms and makes us a reference point for those interested in humanitarian work in the region.
We strengthen our internal systems through the development of appropriate policies and procedures. Zamzam Foundation becomes an active member in a number of local and international humanitarian platforms with increasing participation in international humanitarian conferences. The organization has been the recipient of Excellence in Volunteering awards, including the Sharjah Award for Volunteerism.
Zamzam 2002-2006
We are committed to the development of stronger, community-based educational and health institutions. With help from our local and international partnerships, we establish projects such as the Al-Fajr Model Schools and the Arafat Hospital, both considered the largest of their kind in the country since the collapse of the Somali state. The organization becomes well-known for its strategically-located and life-saving boreholes and artesian wells that facilitate the availability of safe and clean water to communities in need across Somalia. Zamzam emerges as one of the most successful pioneering service organisations and becomes the largest and fastest growing local development organization in Somalia, reaching millions of people through its varied sectors each year.
Zamzam 1997-2001
Zamzam Foundation is established against a backdrop of turmoil, crumbling state institutions and crippled social services as Somalia slides into instability. A severe drought ravages the country and gunfire rocks the cities and millions of Somalis fall victim to the natural disaster and violence. Starvation, illness and death of thousands of people leads to a United Nations intervention mission dubbed ‘Operation Restore Hope’. As hundreds of intellectuals, business people and wealthy Somalis flee the country, the most vulnerable are left behind without any safety net.
We are among the first responders to the deepening humanitarian crisis, stepping in to provide crucial food, water and healthcare aid for thousands of conflict and famine victims in our operational service areas. We organize medical convoys and missions carrying critical medical support to the countryside and remote villages.
Our focus is on humanitarian relief and establishment and provision of critically needed social support services following the collapse of Somalia’s public institutions. In response to rising unemployment, we establish a modest cottage industry, setting up textile workshops that accommodate workers who lost their jobs at the national factory. Zamzam also plays a major role in the establishment of a vocational training centre for women that is run by the women’s development organization, Hadi Women.
Zamzam 1992-1996
Zamzam Foundation is established against a backdrop of turmoil, crumbling state institutions and crippled social services as Somalia slides into instability. A severe drought ravages the country and gunfire rocks the cities and millions of Somalis fall victim to the natural disaster and violence. Starvation, illness and death of thousands of people leads to a United Nations intervention mission dubbed ‘Operation Restore Hope’. As hundreds of intellectuals, business people and wealthy Somalis flee the country, the most vulnerable are left behind without any safety net.
We are among the first responders to the deepening humanitarian crisis, stepping in to provide crucial food, water and healthcare aid for thousands of conflict and famine victims in our operational service areas. We organize medical convoys and missions carrying critical medical support to the countryside and remote villages.
Our focus is on humanitarian relief and establishment and provision of critically needed social support services following the collapse of Somalia’s public institutions. In response to rising unemployment, we establish a modest cottage industry, setting up textile workshops that accommodate workers who lost their jobs at the national factory. Zamzam also plays a major role in the establishment of a vocational training centre for women that is run by the women’s development organization, Hadi Women.