Somalia continues to face a multi-faceted humanitarian crisis that has compounded with conflicts and violence across the country. Approximately 3.4 million people in Somalia are likely to face Crisis—IPC 3—or worse levels of food insecurity between April and June 2024 despite improved food security outcomes. Additionally, IPC reports that 1.7 million children ages 6–59 months will likely experience acute malnutrition during 2024. The situation is further exacerbated by the floods experienced late last year and a subsequent dry spell, which have wiped out most of the families’ livelihoods, especially the livestock farmers.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Adaado and the neighbouring host communities have lost their assets and typical livelihoods and face high competition for limited available income-earning opportunities and social support.

Against this backdrop, CPD, with the support from Welthungerhilfe (WHH) through a multi-country Norad grant, is currently implementing a one-year project, namely, Food Security for vulnerable groups affected by the food price increase.

The project targeted 1200 (820 females & 380 males) households in 9 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Adado District. The Households were provided with five cycles of UCT valued at USD 110 since the project’s onset. The UCT beneficiaries received the money transfer on their phones via EVC mobile money transfer disbursed through a vetted and certified Hormuud. The UCT disbursement is part of food security assistance to cushion the most vulnerable household beneficiaries affected by food price increases and provide life-saving assistance. Unconditional cash transfers used under the ongoing emergency and resilience projects have proved highly efficient in achieving quick food security results while allowing the households to invest part of the transfers in inputs, commodities, and investments. Unconditional cash in the hands of the affected households gives them the flexibility to allocate resources to the most pressing needs.

The initiative has benefited over 7,200 people indirectly, including Households with children between 6-24 months and pregnant, lactating women (PLW), People Living with Disability, and Child and elderly-headed households. The project was impactful, as shared by Shukri, one of the beneficiaries of the UCT.

Thanks to Allah, I was included in the program as one of the beneficiaries who received $110 USD per month for a period of 5 months. This has improved our lives. When I received the cash, I was able to buy food for my children and other essentials, like clothes, and medicine, thank you CPD’’ says Shukri, a single Mother of 5 children.

Secondly, the project implemented the awareness creation and distribution of dignity kits targeting 1,000 women and adolescent girls from vulnerable Households living in all 9 IDP camps. The purpose of the dignity kits was to promote protection, physical and psychosocial well-being, mobility, and hygiene for women and girls at risk while providing a key entry point for understanding risks facing women and girls in the IDP communities. Also, the project improved the accessibility of menstrual hygiene management products and knowledge on safe management of menstruation. The dignity kits items were distributed in a safe and accessible place and the project staff maintained the ‘do no harm principle’ at all time.