Empowering Communities Through Humanitarian Action

About the Pah Somalia Mission

We are a Polish non-governmental organisation, operating since 1992. Since 2004, we have also been a public benefit organisation.

We live and breathe humanitarian aid: we are there where support is most needed, operating all over the world. We respond in places where humanitarian crises erupt: natural disasters and armed conflicts. Immediate crisis response is our priority, but we are also concerned with developing long-term solutions and preventing further disasters.

We protect civilians: the most important thing for us is the life and health of others. In our actions, we provide assistance to all who need it. We do not differentiate between parties to a conflict or religious groups, guided by respect for people of different races, nationalities and religions. True, we pay special attention to some, the most vulnerable groups: women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and internally displaced people. With our attitude and decisions, we ensure that the people we help trust us and see our actions as trustworthy. We ensure the quality of our assistance by adhering to the SPHERE standards. We also express our responsibility to the people we help in how we talk about them and our activities. The ethical dimension of our communications is governed by the Code on images and messages concerning countries of the South.

We help responsibly: in our work we remember that we are only a guest there. We look for such forms of action that can become more permanent or those that offer opportunities for development. Our support is tailored to a specific culture and customs of those we help. On-the-ground activities are primarily carried out by local staff from the country in which we operate. We source products, equipment and tools as close as possible to where we operate – so we also support the local economy. The ethical framework for our operations is governed by the Red Cross Code. In countries affected by humanitarian crises, we work with the support of the humanitarian cluster system, which regulates and coordinates activities in the region. This allows our aid to be more effectively suited to the needs and goes where other organisations have not helped yet. It can also be complementary to other organisations operating in the same place.

We educate the public: we target Poles with various social campaigns. We inform about the needs of the people in the countries where we operate, drawing attention to global needs and human rights, such as access to potable water, food, safe shelter and toilets. We engage the public to take an active role in humanitarian aid. We support the organisation of grassroots fundraising and events to raise awareness of the needs of others. We involve Polish schools in national education campaigns: we train children and young people.

150+

15

Trusted by many

Global impact

Humanitarian Services Overview

We have been providing humanitarian aid for more than 30 years. Since then we have been present in 52 countries. We are there where support is needed most. We respond to sudden humanitarian crises: natural disasters and armed conflicts, but in addition to immediate assistance, we also look for long-term solutions. Each time, we tailor our projects to local needs and challenges, because we believe that this is the only way to deliver aid that is truly effective. We act with respect for the principles of humanitarianism, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

Emergency Response

When an armed conflict breaks out or a natural disaster strikes, the local community cannot always react to the crisis on its own. State authorities do not have sufficient funds, and the people afflicted by disaster suddenly lose their possessions and are deprived of access to safe drinking water and other resources that they might find useful in a crisis. In such cases, an immediate humanitarian response is needed.

People cope with a lack of access to safe drinking water, toilets and food. They are without a roof over their heads, they lose their jobs, and they are deprived of their educational and career opportunities. Conflicts and disasters force people to leave their safe homes and to flee and seek shelter far from danger. Shifting frontlines or an unstable socioeconomic situation in the region prevents them from settling safely in one place. Food and water prices are rising exorbitantly. Some zones are hardly accessible and very often there is no way of delivering non-food items to them.

WHAT DOES THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ACTION DO?

Our aim is to provide immediate and effective help to people whose lives or health are in danger due to a humanitarian crisis. The principle of humanitarianism, to which we are firmly committed, provides that human suffering must meet with a reaction in any circumstances.

We take action to provide those in need with safe drinking water, food, shelter and the bare essentials. In doing so, we collaborate with local organisations and other humanitarian actors. This helps streamline the flow of information and ensures fair distribution of humanitarian aid.

Emergency response to a humanitarian crisis involves, among other things, the provision of:

• basic access to water and hygiene (repair and construction of water take-off points, water trucking, distribution of hygiene kits)

• safe shelter (distribution of tents, mattresses, blankets and winter clothes, kits for building temporary shelters)

• basic access to food (food baskets)

• basic medical care (medicine and hospital equipment)

Access to Water

Water is essential for every aspect of human life. Our health and physical well-being depend on its purity and accessibility. We need water not only for drinking. It is necessary for preparing meals, for practicing good personal hygiene and for keeping our households clean. Limited access to water can affect our educational and career opportunities.

Particularly vulnerable are internally displaced persons (IDPs), who leave their homes in search of safe shelter. Very often they must stay at places with no access to clean water, sanitation, toilets and bathrooms. In such difficult conditions, clean water is essential to prevent the spreading of serious bacterial diseases.

WHAT DOES THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ACTION DO?

We build wells and other water take-off points, as well as toilets and latrines. We distribute hygiene kits containing the most important products (not only for men but also for women). We rebuild school toilets so that children can have adequate conditions for their education and development.

An important aspect of our activities is lending support to the local communities: we provide training in the repair of wells and water analysis, we train hygiene educators who are subsequently engaged in promoting effective methods for practicing good personal hygiene and disease prevention among the local communities.

To provide access to water and ensure sanitary safety, among other things, we:

• supply safe drinking water (we build and repair wells and other water tanks, we deliver water with tanker lorries)

• build and renovate toilets and bathrooms (in schools and at IDP camps)

• help families keep their water supplies and households clean (sanitary training, hygiene kits, water purification tablets)

• maintain good sanitary conditions at camps (we remove waste and rubbish, we distribute dustbins)

Our Projects

Supporting vulnerable communities through humanitarian aid and development.

Current Initiatives

Explore our current initiatives aimed at providing essential support and resources to communities in crisis, focusing on sustainable development and humanitarian assistance tailored to local needs and challenges.

Past Achievements

Discover our past achievements in delivering impactful humanitarian aid, showcasing successful projects that have transformed lives and strengthened communities through resilience-building and comprehensive support in times of need.