Purpose
Safeguarding is a fundamental duty of Caritas Somalia and of all organisations working in the humanitarian, development and social sectors. Caritas Somalia is committed to ensuring that its staff, operations and programmes do not cause harm and do not expose anyone to the risk of abuse, exploitation or neglect, particularly children and vulnerable adults.
Caritas Somalia works to create safe, respectful and protective environments for all people involved in its programmes, including communities, partners, volunteers and staff. This commitment also includes safeguarding its own personnel from abuse, harassment, discrimination and any form of inappropriate behaviour.
The main objectives of the safeguarding framework of Caritas Somalia are to:
- Prevent all forms of abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect, discrimination and harassment
- Provide enhanced protection for children and vulnerable adults
- Ensure timely, appropriate and survivor-centred responses to all safeguarding concerns
- Promote a strong organisational culture based on dignity, respect, accountability and transparency
Caritas Somalia adopts a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse and exploitation.
Scope
These safeguarding policies apply mandatorily to:
- All Caritas Somalia staff
- Volunteers, interns, consultants and collaborators
- Members of governance bodies
- Partners, suppliers and service providers
Compliance with these policies is mandatory and is a fundamental condition for working with Caritas Somalia.
Safeguarding concerns must be reported without delay through one of the following channels: by contacting directly the Director or the President via email at cssafeguarding@gmail.com.
Safeguarding concerns involving individuals from external organisations or non-member bodies must be reported to complaintsandfeedbackscs@gmail.com, using the subject line “SAFEGUARDING BREACH”, to allow referral to the appropriate entity.
Our Commitment
Caritas Somalia is fully committed to:
- Ensuring that every concern is taken seriously and handled professionally, ethically and transparently
- Safeguarding all people, especially children and vulnerable adults;
- Promoting safe, inclusive and respectful environments;
- Preventing abuse in all its forms;
Safeguarding is not just a policy, it is a core value that shapes everything we do at Caritas Somalia.
This section of the Caritas Somalia website provides access to the core safeguarding documents:
Safeguarding Policy
Defines principles, responsibilities, standards of behaviour and procedures to prevent and respond to abuse, exploitation, violence and harassment. It sets out clear obligations for all personnel, including prevention, reporting and response mechanisms.
Complaints Handling Policy and Procedure
Establishes safe, confidential and accessible mechanisms to report concerns, suspicions or allegations, ensuring:
- Respectful listening
- Timely, impartial and professional handling
- Confidentiality
- Protection from retaliation
Whistleblower Policy
Protects individuals who report wrongdoing or misconduct in good faith, guaranteeing:
- Safety and appropriate support
- Protection against retaliation
- Confidentiality or anonymity when requested
Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct
Two fundamental documents for Caritas Somalia are:
- The Code of Ethics, which defines the values, principles and ethical standards guiding our work
- The Code of Conduct, which outlines the behaviour expected of all staff and associates.
Compliance with these codes is mandatory and reflects Caritas Somalia’s commitment to protecting dignity, rights and safety.