Disability Action Network (DAN)
The political and economic situation in Somaliland has been unstable in the last year, with increased levels of insecurity in the capital Hargeisa. Despite this difficult context, Disability Action Network (DAN), our 2008 Health Award recipient, has continued to work with disabled young people, ensuring that these children have access to healthcare and the therapeutic rehabilitation services that will help them integrate fully into society.
The flexibility of the STARS Award means that DAN has been able to split the funding over three years. To date, DAN has used it to purchase raw materials and equipment, and provide physiotherapy services and orthopaedic appliances to 1,500 children. It has also run a number of parent group workshops and awareness raising events, including the Day of the African Child. DAN is using the STARS consultancy support to offer its staff updated training in occupational therapy, which is not currently available in Somaliland.
