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In 2021, some camps are organising camp experiences for you to participate in. We are hopeful that they will be able to go ahead. Camps will follow the local conditions closely, and may have to cancel activities if the local COVID-19 situation forces them to do so. If you have already signed up for a camp-activity you will be informed when this happens. We will update the website also, when such decisions are taken. Please check your own local authority travel advisory to see if you can travel to or return from the camp after the activity. At all times, when at camps, please observe it’s COVID-19 policy (such as wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands, etc).
CAMP DRYLAND SOLUTIONS
Nuvaal Valley region, Somalia
Camp Dryland Solutions is our first camp on the Nugaal Valley region of Somalia. This is a semi-desert grassland ecosystem that has been degraded through deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, droughts, water shortage food insecurity, disappearing wildlife, and conflict that have overlapped catastrophically for decades, posing a massive challenge to local communities development as well as to the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity.
About Camp Dryland Solutions
This project will ensure the implementation of long-term and highly sustainable solutions to some of the main challenges faced by the inhabitants of the country. Such as food insecurity, poverty, vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events, and desertification. In fact, this project will promote the ecological restoration of the area, improve the resilience of its residents, and tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change.
This new initiative is dedicated to enabling people in Somalia to find hope and stability through the application of permaculture principles. Through education and building awareness, it seeks to secure a more sustainable future where food security is enhanced, biodiversity is protected, and increased consumerism is replaced by a widespread ability to live in harmony with nature.
Camper Opportunities
Camp Dryland Solutions works only with local people to restore the Nugaal Valley. This particular area in Somalia is not safe for international travel, and as such, ERC will not facilitate volunteer roles at this camp. We will support the camp with knowledge.
What is happening now
Ecosystem Restoration Camps is starting up in Garowe, Somalia. We are preparing to train our camp professionals in Egypt in cooperation with SEKEM. After the training, we will actively work on restoring the surrounding ecosystem through establishing rainwater-harvesting systems, implementing soil restoration practices, enhance moisture retention in soil, and establish plant nurseries to re-plant the denuded area.
Who is needed
It is not possible to participate in this camp from outside Somalia through ERC. We will need remote/online help in providing knowledge about ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, permaculture, sustainable construction, gardening, and food production, cooking, community outreach, education, and more..
If you are interested in volunteering your time and skills to Somalia, contact us to discuss the various ways in which you may be able to help.
What do we still need
As the camp is designed to become a long-term hub for restoration that will keep serving the region and the whole country. We need help with camp equipment, tools, machinery, professional camera, and a pick-up truck.
Vision and Socio-economic context
The long-term vision of Somalia Dryland Solutions is to restore as many ecosystems as possible all over the national territory of Somalia while training residents on topics like ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and sustainable land management.
With the help of ERC, the camp will become an educational centre where local communities can find information and teachings on the application of permaculture principles, how to maintain and restore ecosystems, and how to make the best of natural ecological processes of plants, animals, weather and nutrient cycles. In the long term, this site will become a demonstration site, as well as a model for agricultural and ecological practices for the whole country. Ultimately, one of the main objectives of the site will be to inspire because inspiration will be the key to motivate local residents and engage them in restoring their land towards the creation of a more just, fair, abundant and peaceful society.
And once peace returns to this area, we will be open to international volunteers at the campsite.
Interest Form
Seedling Camp
Organising Partners
Facilities
As camp Dryland Solutions is still in the seedling phase, facilities are currently unavailable. We will keep you posted!
Restoration Activities
Water retention Tree planting Composting Soil building Regenerative entrepreneurialism Erosion prevention Fire prevention Community building Restoration of livelihoods Restoration holidays
READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
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What you must do to ensure your own safety at an Ecosystem Restoration Camp
Your safety is very important to us. Most camps are in locations that are completely safe for you to travel to. Some camps are in locations where there is civil unrest, higher levels of crime, or in areas where there could be severe nature events (earthquakes, tornados, vulcanic eruptions). We strongly advise you to check with your national authority’s travel advisory service to see if there are specific travel advisories for the region you are travelling to. We strongly advise you to comply with that travel advisory. If there is a negative travel advisory for the area you plan to go to, we want to impress on you that it is your decision to not heed the warnings and go. ERC can then not be liable in that situation if something happens to you.
Work at camps is usually safe. The camp coordinators make your safety their highest priority too. But you will be working with tools and sometimes even (heavy) machinery. Sometimes the terrain can be slightly treacherous. Heat or cold can become a problem for people at work that do not take the necessary measures to prevent injury from weather conditions. Especially in remote locations, all people at an Ecosystem Restoration Camp will need to watch out for eachother’s safety. For this reason we ask you to also sign our Code of Conduct, through which you commit to contributing to a safe environment at camps for all that are there with you. Take yours and all other camper’s safety seriously! Together, while watching over eachother, we can restore our ecosystems safely and successfully.