In Somalia, displacement resulting from conflict, drought and other environmental factors has led to overcrowded living conditions in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) sites and strained resources, compromising hygiene and sanitation practices. Inadequate access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and hygiene standards has increased the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly among vulnerable IDPs in rural areas such as women, children, and the elderly.
The displaced communities in rural areas are less likely to have access to basic services including adequate clean water and sanitation facilities. With limited infrastructure and services, they face heightened vulnerabilities when displaced. The lack of adequate sanitation facilities, coupled with overcrowding in makeshift settlements, poses significant health risks.
Acted, with the support of the Somali Humanitarian Fund (SHF), has been implementing a life-saving WASH project in rural Baidoa district (South-West State), between June 2023 and April 2024, providing over 10,000 vulnerable persons with access to safe water and hygiene service.
Thanks to SHF and Acted's efforts, we are supported with the tools and knowledge to maintain proper hygiene practices in our community.
Provision of hygiene kits to 1,500 Internally displaced households (HH) in rural Baidoa
With support from SHF, Acted has been addressing the suffering of displaced communities living in Baidoa’s rural areas through the promotion of best hygiene practises and water supply activities. As part of this action, Acted has distributed hygiene kits to 1,500 vulnerable households in Baqdaad, Barahnooy, Bullo-manur, and Caragadud rural villages, equipping them with essential tools and resources to sustain proper hygiene practices. Each hygiene kit included 3 bar soaps (200g each), 20 sachets of Aqua-tabs, 20 litter buckets, 20 litter collapsible jerrycans. Additionally, Acted also conducted hygiene awareness sessions in five rural villages in Baidoa, benefiting a total of 3,600 individuals. Through interactive sessions, best hygiene practices such as handwashing were demonstrated. Acted’s overarching goal was to improve vulnerable HHs conditions, granting them access to clean water, and hygiene-standards, thereby reducing the risk of disease spread and enhancing their overall well-being.
Through hygiene awareness sessions and kits distribution, Acted’s intervention has increased access to sanitation facilities, reducing the spread of waterborne diseases among drought-affected families in rural Baidoa.
Acted's hygiene promotion sessions have been significant in empowering us with the skills to prevent waterborne diseases.
With the generous funding of SHF, Acted has been able to alleviate the suffering of over 10,000 vulnerable families in rural Baidoa by delivering comprehensive WASH services. Similar projects are fundamental for improving the understanding and practices of vulnerable communities, ensuring long-term sustainability and cascading knowledge that will ultimately improve the conditions of a wider audience, thereby preventing and mitigating WASH related diseases.