Climate: principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Environment Issues: water scarcity; contaminated water contributes to human health problems; improper waste disposal; deforestation; land degradation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Ethnic Groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs)
Languages: Somali (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Arabic (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English
Government Type: federal parliamentary republic
URGENT is engaged in the following activities within Somalia:
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Church Planting
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Training
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Discipleship
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Resources
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Humanitarian Efforts
Somalia remains an incredibly dangerous place to live for a Christian. Islam is deeply imbedded in the identity of the nation. Shariah law is guarded by an extreme militant group, al-Shabab. If discovered, Christians will likely face a deadly outcome at the hands of this terrorist organization. (Source: Open Doors)
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Pray for creative ways to communicate the gospel message in this resistant nation.
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Pray for divine protection over the lives of Christ-followers as they seek to grow as disciples.
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Pray for God to meet the needs of Christian widows whose husbands were killed by al-Shabab.
