EU Emergency Project Rebuilds Hope in Somalia

By Ahmed Issak Hussein

In the pastoralist village of Kulan Jareer near Hudur, Habiba and her husband sustained their livelihood with a small farm and 35 goats. Recurring droughts and consecutive crop failures for four seasons prompted many families to migrate to Hudur. In 2023, 17 of the family’s goats died due to disease and lack of feed, exacerbating their challenges.

With determination to support her family, Habiba faced a tough dilemma: leaving her husband, 49-year-old Nur Abdi, in charge of their remaining livestock and crops. This decision was crucial for Habiba, as one of her children had already fallen ill and had to be moved to Hudur for treatment. She couldn't leave her other three children behind with her husband. Consequently, Habiba and her children embarked on a two-day journey to the Moorawiiney Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Hudur, enduring the hardships of having no water or food. Braving these challenges, they carried their belongings and their children on a donkey cart, determined to reach the camp and access the necessary services for their survival.

In the camps of Hudur, water access became a pressing issue for Habiba and the other displaced families. The neighboring families, who were also displaced and experiencing acute food shortages, faced the same problem. To secure water, the camp residents had to journey about a kilometer to the nearest well. They utilized a lever pulley system to extract water for their daily requirements.

“Our only method of extracting water was through a process involving a bucket and pulley system.” Shared Habiba. "For safety reasons, we couldn't send children to fetch water from the well, as there was a potential danger of them falling into it." She disclosed further.

Through support from European Union Humanitarian Aid, Habiba was among the 512 households identified in the Hudur district for Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance support. She was targeted because she was a displaced lactating mother with a malnourished child.? Following registration, the beneficiaries' mobile numbers were collected and verified, enabling cash transfers through Hormuud, a mobile money transfer service provider. Habiba's household, like others, received $140 monthly for three consecutive months.

"The cash assistance arrived at a crucial moment when we were heavily dependent on borrowing from neighbors who were also struggling with food access." Noted Habiba.

Habiba's life has undergone a massive change. Her children are now well-fed, thanks to her newfound ability to purchase essential items for her family, such as food and basic household necessities. Even smaller items, like utensils and sewing needles, are now within reach, making a huge difference in their overall well-being. This incredible change has not only brought immediate relief, but also a sense of hope.

“I have bought food stock, paid off debts, and bought shelter materials like tarpaulin," said Habiba.

Action Against Hunger has been implementing the EU funded Integrated Lifesaving Response to Famine Prevention program in Somalia's Bakool Region. The region is under blockade by non-state actors and putting more pressure on families already struggling with food access. ?Generous funding from the European Union Humanitarian Aid has enabled the implementation of this program, which prioritized families such as Habiba's, who had been displaced from her home in Kulan Jareer Village, situated 45km west of Hudur town.

Apart from the cash assistance provided, Action Against Hunger repaired a water facility in the IDP camp and distributed hygiene kits. They also had hygiene educators who sensitized them on the dangers of poor hygiene and sanitation.

Through the provision of emergency intervention funding from the EU Humanitarian Aid, families like Habiba's are empowered to access food and essential items, tailoring them to their specific needs of family. Habiba now longs to reunite with her husband and work together on their piece of land, caring for their remaining animals. Fortunately, the recent rainfall in Somalia has been a blessing, allowing Habiba's husband, Mr. Abdi, to prepare the land and cultivate millet. As a result, they can now continue their daily activities with a renewed sense of happiness, anticipating their upcoming reunion.

Without the support Habiba received when she moved to this IDP camp, she is not sure what the fate of her children would have been.

‘I and all my neighbors in this camp are grateful for the funding from the European Union. Not everyone received MPCA but at least everyone is happy about the water well rehabilitation. No more walking long distances for water’ Habiba adds ?