Somali communities are experiencing compounding shocks such as conflict, droughts, and floods, forcing people to flee their homes¹. The recent El Niño induced rains have heavily affected Somalia, resulting in flash and riverine floods that have destroyed many housings infrastructure and livelihoods. As a result of this, over 1.2M people have been displaced from 1their homes and currently hosted in IDP sites.
In 2023, Kismayo district, in Jubaland, has received 30,635² new internally displaced people from the surrounding districts of Afmadow, Jamaame, Jilib, and Buu’ale as a result of conflicts, recent flash floods and prolonged droughts in Somalia. This influx of displaced people has put additional strain on already overcrowded IDP camps, which have limited access to food, water, sanitation and other basic services. Based on the data from the latest joint IDP site verification exercise, 170 IDP sites with 24,309 vulnerable Households were identified in Kismayo in June 2023³.
Enhancing coordination mechanisms to meet the basic needs of internally displaced persons
In Jubaland State, Acted and its local partner Social-Life and Agricultural Development Organization (SADO), through a project supported by the European Union (EU) is supporting internally displaced communities in Somalia through life-saving humanitarian services and information management to address the most urgent needs of the vulnerable communities. This one-year project, which started on 1 May 2023, aims to reach a total of 91,705 beneficiaries through improved humanitarian information management, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and gap-filling activities. Through CCCM activities, Acted aims to support the affected communities’ engagement and participation by strengthening the community governance structures. Acted and its partner have thus supported communities, and in particular recently flood affected persons with WASH, NFI kits and cash assistance to improve the living conditions, safety, and dignity of displaced people.
Anisa Ibrahim*, a 35-year-old mother with 6 children is living in Alle-suge IDP camp which is located in the outskirts of Kismayo district. Anisa lost her livestock due to the prolonged drought and on-going conflicts, and she had to live her village (Beerxani) to flee to Kismayo with her children in search of shelter and food. At the IDP camp she lacked food, proper shelter, essential items and the place was poorly lit. This made her life even more difficult, as Anisa and her children were thus not able to meet her basic needs. With the support of the European Union, Acted and SADO provided lifesaving assistance to IDP residents. Anisa was registered to receive WASH and NFI kits to respond to her immediate needs and was also registered for three cycles of cash transfers to enable her to purchase food and essentials items, therefore significantly improving her living conditions in the IDP camp.
Anisa’s life changed in a positive manner after receiving assistance. Her shelter has been significantly improved with the provision of NFI materials, ensuring a more secure and comfortable living environment. Access to clean water and sanitation has been made possible through the WASH kits, contributing to enhanced hygiene and overall well-being. Furthermore, with the support of cash transfers, Anisa and her family were able to meet their essential nutritional needs.
My family and I no longer fear the night. We sleep peacefully under a plastic sheet, protected from mosquitoes and harsh weather, thanks to solar lighting kits ensuring our safety.
Anisa’s story exemplifies how Acted and its partner, with European Commission Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection (ECHO) funding support, has contributed to mitigating the adverse impacts of the drought, floods and conflicts. With this project we are providing life-saving assistance to over 91,705 IDPs in 70 IDP sites across Somali/land.
*names have been changed to protect privacy.