Horn of Africa Peace Network (HAPEN) is a not-for-profit, Non-Governmental Organization established in 2008 in direct response to the immense suffering caused by protracted civil strife that has characterized the Horn of Africa since 1991. The organization is fully registered in Somalia and works across the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) nexus, engaging individuals, communities, and partners from the public and private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community- Based Organizations (CBOs), and think tanks and research institutions.
HAPEN’s programs support communities in areas of Peace-building and Development, Good Governance; Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism and Peace Building and Conflict Resolution; Natural Resources Management; and Humanitarian Services. The organization serves diverse population groups including pastoralists, farming communities, agro-pastoralists, fishing communities, urban and rural populations, returnees, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across Somalia. Target groups are more granular with focus on youth, women, marginalized groups, at-risk populations etc.
The organization was born from the commitment of indigenous professionals who recognized the urgent need to bridge the gap between suffering communities and the international humanitarian architecture — UN agencies, international NGOs, donor governments, and charitable institutions willing to support the people of Somalia. This founding philosophy continues to define HAPEN’s identity as a locally-anchored, internationally connected organisation.
Over its history, HAPEN has grown from a small pilot community-based relief and rehabilitation project into a multi-sectoral organisation managing an active portfolio of approximately USD 8.5 million. This growth is supported by donors including GCERF, IOM, UNHCR, SHF/OCHA, KOICA, and JICA, emphasizing HAPEN’s credibility and capability in managing large-scale, complex, and multi-sectoral programs.
HAPEN occupies a dual role in the humanitarian ecosystem: it serves as both a direct implementing agency delivering programs to beneficiaries, and as a trusted project monitoring, evaluation, and information-sharing partner for UN agencies and international donors.
This unique positioning allows HAPEN to understand program design from the inside while bringing rigorous independent oversight from the outside.
All of HAPEN’s programmes are founded on the understanding that local people are fundamentally responsible for their own development and that participatory approaches are the most effective tools for realizing broad-based, sustainable development. Programmes are open to all communities with no discrimination based on religion, age, gender, race, or tribal affiliation, though special attention is given to the needs of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Somalia’s socio-political landscape is shaped by a complex history of conflict, governance challenges, and ongoing efforts to foster stability and inclusivity. Decades of civil war and political fragmentation have left the country with weakened institutions, regional divisions, and persistent insecurity. The adoption of the 2012 Provisional Constitution introduced federalism as Somalia’s governance model, establishing a framework for decentralization, state-building, and the formation of Federal Member States (FMSs).
Climate change and environmental degradation compound these challenges: Somalia faces increasingly frequent and severe weather shocks — droughts, floods, and recurring famines — that have profound consequences on livelihoods, ecosystems, and economic growth. An estimated 3.5 million people in Somalia are displaced, tied to climatic shocks and conflict. Conflict accounted for 53% of 477,000 new displacements between January and November 2024 alone.
The operational environment is further shaped by shifting donor priorities — particularly following the withdrawal of USAID in 2024–25 — growing competition for funds, preference for direct implementation, and an increasing push toward multi-sector consortium arrangements. HAPEN has incorporated these lessons into its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, committing to resource diversification and adaptive programming.
Working in partnership with communities to address humanitarian needs, promote peaceful coexistence and improve standards of living for crises-affected communities in the Horn of Africa.
Reduced levels of poverty and human suffering, empowered women and youth, and an overall improvement in the standards of living and quality of life for the communities.
HAPEN generates findings that can be validated and are of immediate use to communities in their quest for sustainable integrated development. Our services are the result of credible processes that are easily verifiable.
HAPEN generates findings that can be validated and are of immediate use to communities in their quest for sustainable integrated development. Our services are the result of credible processes that are easily verifiable.
HAPEN recognises people as autonomous, unique, and free individuals with the right and capacity to make their own decisions. All interactions are characterised by mutual respect for ourselves, our institution, and our clients.
HAPEN acknowledges the right of every person to be valued and respected for their own sake and to be treated ethically. We uphold and promote dignity in all client dealings.
HAPEN recognises individual differences across race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, and political views.
HAPEN provides high-calibre services that genuinely improve the quality of livelihoods and build long-term sustainability of community outcomes.
HAPEN is compelled to mobilize and provide humanitarian assistance to whoever needs it and wherever they are — without preconditions on identity, clan, or affiliation — upholding human dignity and alleviating suffering among those least able to withstand disaster.
HAPEN prioritises communities in forgotten crises receiving little or no attention from the wider humanitarian system, maintaining flexibility in resource mobilisation through alternate funding sources.
HAPEN gives high priority to quality, longterm relationships built on respect, trust, and integrity with individuals, organisations, and communities. After conflict and war, reconciliation is essential to restore relationships and consolidate peace.
HAPEN develops programs with inter-linkages adapted to the specific needs of communities — addressing food, water, health, shelter, protection, governance, and peace as an integrated system, not isolated sector silos.
HAPEN embraces structured partnerships and institutional linkages to tap into comparative advantages, collective synergies, and shared information, knowledge, and resources.
All programmes are founded on the principle that local people are fundamentally responsible for their own development. Participatory approaches are the most effective tools for broad-based, sustainable development.
Partner with HAPEN to support sustainable development, peace-building and resilience across Somalia.
