Years of conflict and instability mean that millions of people across Somalia face an uncertain future. Out of a population of over 14 million, around 6.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
People and communities across Somalia share the same hopes and dreams as us yet many face life threatening challenges: poor access to safe drinking water, education and sanitation.
Community livelihoods depend on agriculture but climate change has meant unreliable rainfall and resulting drought. With a lack of water for animals, many families lose their livelihoods and are left increasingly food insecure as livestock perish. Families have little choice but to consume unsafe, unsanitary water, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and acute watery diarrhoea.
For people across Somalia, life is incredibly challenging:
Islamic Relief has been working in Somalia since 1996. Food distributions have been taking place since we began working in Somalia and over 750,000 people have benefited from these food distributions so far. We are also working to provide clean, easily accessible water, access to healhcare services as well as education. Emergency programmes have also helped displaced people in the Bari, Nugaal and Mudug regions of the Puntland.
There has been no central government since 1991 and competing warlords have ruled the country, which makes working in the country in an effective manner even more difficult. It is a testament to the hard work that UNICEF and the World Food Programme have expressed a readiness to work in partnership with us in Somalia
Together with communities we have been implementing drought recovery and resilience projects, such as digging boreholes to mitigate the effects of drought. Providing a sustainable source of water gives greater food security and protects livestock for local families.
