Sahil region
The Sahil Region (Saaxil) is one of the six regions (gobolka) in the Republic of Somaliland. Its capital is Berbera. It is bordered by Gulf of Aden and the Somaliland regions of Woqooyi Galbeed, Sanaag, Togdheer and Awdal. Berbera is located 2 hours drive from Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland. Berbera is a coastal city (Red Sea) in the northwestern part of Somaliland, the Saaxil region. Berbera is also a seaport, with the only sheltered harbour on the south side of the Gulf of Aden; its population in 2000 was approximately 30,000.
Located strategically on the oil route, Berbera has a deep-sea port, completed in 1969. The port, which was the capital of British Somaliland until 1941, is the terminus of roads from Hargeisa and Burco, and an airport now adds to its accessibility.
Berbera exports sheep, gum arabic, frankincense, and myrrh. Its seaborne trade is chiefly with Aden in Yemen 240 km/150 mi to the north. Since the Eritrean-Ethiopian War, it has grown as a major export port for Ethiopia, and is now the main source of foreign currency for Somaliland. The city is also home to a runway, built as an emergency landing strip(longest strip in Africa) for the U.S. Space Shuttle emergency landing.
The Sahil region is losing ground economically when compared to other regions in Somaliland and consequently many people are very worried about this. Although the Sahil region has a lot of potential to become the economical capital in the country. It Concerns about low unemployment, low investments, lack of business developments and loss of potential workforce are just of few of the issues.
Sahil Longterm Action program (SLAP)
Daryeel Foundation and Saredo NGO are trying to help Sahil about the next
Ten prioprities needs:
1. Technical assistance to Berbera College of Fisheries and Maritime studies.
2. Reconstruction and Rennovation of major Regional Education Centers
3. Berbera Sewage Saytem and water Development
4. Burco Kibir Village Water System
5. Health Quality Improvement of Berbera Regional Hospital
6. Saahil shore /Coastal pollution prevention Program.
7. Agricultural Development Program in Bihin Village.
8. Berbera City Sanitation program
9. Sahil Regional Community Awerness Campaign
10. Micro-Finance Initiative
