The Problem

Somalia, over the last 10 years, has been at a high risk of natural hazards such as drought and floods. In 2018 and 2019, the country experienced heavy rains leading to massive flooding and associated immediate impacts. This was followed by poor rainfall in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The country is largely dependent on the agro-pastoral economy. The current drought has caused increased rural-urban migration and resulted in the overpopulation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. According to the latest statement in June 2022 by the humanitarian coordinator for Somalia Adam Abdelmoula, 7.1 million Somalis – close to 50% of the population – are facing crisis-level food insecurity and 213,000 people will face catastrophic hunger and starvation. Women, children and the elderly have been particularly hard hit, constituting 82% of all people displaced by drought.

The Solution

The African Development Trust aims at strengthening resilience at the community level through concrete adaptation measures that constitute establishing market linkages for sustained income generation activities. The project will empower and invest in 50 women in IDP settlements. These women will be equipped with income generation knowledge and skills, trained in the establishment of small businesses and fundamental business bookkeeping basics, as well as provided with interest-free loans. The project will conduct monitoring and evaluation of activities to ensure liability.

Impact

The project is expected to improve the knowledge and skills of vulnerable IDPs. It seeks to enhance resilience through income generation activities and employment opportunities. In addition, the proposed project will promote food security by looking for alternative activities to diversify household food supply.

SDGs

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