The official name of this organization is (AIRID) which is the acronym for ACTION FOR REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (ARID) is a Community based Non-governmental, humanitarian and development organization. It operates on a not-for-profit, non government basis with principles and philosophy aimed at effectively reaching its Vision, Mission and Core Values. ARID was established in Lower Juba r
egion in the year 2009 as a non for profit organization by a group of highly motivated Somali professionals in Somalia and Somali professionals from the Somali Diaspora who saw the need to improve the socio-economic conditions of the disadvantaged Somali communities in Somalia with particular emphasis on marginalized groups such as refugees and IDPs to alleviate human suffering which was on its peak at the time following devastating civil strives and other natural disasters which resulted in large scale starvation of thousands of IDPs. In addition to its initial emergency interventions, the organization later on shifted its priority to the improvement of livelihoods, specially agriculture and social services through rehabilitation and development programs. The NGO sought in its programs to accelerate development of the rural / urban poor areas, increase employment opportunities, and reduce poverty, morbidity and mortality rates of women and children. Since its inception, the organization carried out a number of programs in Agriculture and livelihood, peace building and conflict resolution, Environmental and community infrastructure rehabilitation in collaboration with other partner organizations in joint ventures. Most of those projects were quick impact projects in nature. Including these was rehabilitation of, schools, agricultural infrastructure, roads, and monetization programs and youth development. After completing them, ARID handed over these projects to their ultimate beneficiaries who are sustaining them to the present date. From 2009, ARID has continued to work with the poor and the less fortunate groups in lower Juba region and gained substantial experience in community development programs, while at the same time building good working relationship with both local communities. Unfortunately the organization discontinued its operations after some of its key founders left the country. ARID has currently offices in Kolbiyow, Lower Juba region –Somalia. ARID is still a growing organization and in learning process with so much to gain from the poor it serves and committed to fully collaborate with all funding organizations. As most of the newly emerging NGOs, ARID was at the beginning less organized and less institutionalized but as time moved on, the founding members re-structured the organization, elected its board members with clear division of tasks and authority hierarchies. Board of directors consisting of five members who supervise and delegate duties to management team who are responsible on the day-to-day activities of the organization and administers the projects, now governs the organization. ARID drives its funds from both local well wishers and the Somalia Diaspora.
