Somalia

Years of conflict and fragility have left Somalia facing a wide array of humanitarian and developmental challenges. Rapid population growth continues to run ahead of the economy’s capacity to generate jobs, and levels of acute poverty and vulnerability remain extremely high. At 67 percent, youth unemployment remains one of the highest in the world.

COVID-19 has heavily impacted Somalia’s informal economy, based on remittances, foreign imports and agriculture. Women-owned businesses were especially hard-hit, with 98 percent reporting reduced revenue, reflecting gender inequalities in the country. Like other countries across the Horn of Africa, Somalia’s dependence on agriculture makes it deeply vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Climatic shocks, combined with armed conflict and displacement leave almost half the population in need of humanitarian assistance.

ACTED has been present in Somalia since 2009 delivering life-saving assistance coupled with recovery efforts and resilience programming. Coordination offices are in Nairobi and Hargeisa, whilst ACTED also has four bases in Baidoa, Kismayo, Bardera and Badhan. ACTED implements in several sectors with a strong focus on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security and livelihoods support (FSL) and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM).