Context:
The collapse of Somalia’s government in 1991, prolonged conflicts, attacks by the terrorist militia Al Shabaab, and frequent environmental disasters have driven widespread poverty and displacement in the country. The Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have further worsened the humanitarian situation. By January 2025, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has reached 3.5 million, with many fleeing climate shocks and political unrest. In Garowe, the capital of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, IDPs now make up a third of the population.
Limited social and economic interaction between IDPs and host communities, extreme poverty, food insecurity, and marginalisation define daily life. Weak state institutions fail to integrate IDPs socially and economically, deepening the crisis.
Objective:
Extremely poor IDPs and residents of host communities have improved their socio-economic resilience and personal well-being.
Approach:
The project implements three main measures to advance socio-economic inclusion in Somalia:
• It delivers a sequential package of interventions in line with the graduation approach, including basic security provision, skills training, and livelihood establishment. Additionally, it provides long-term coaching and mentoring.
• The project works with selected local authorities and institutions to improve their integration capabilities. It also conducts peacebuilding initiatives to improve social cohesion.
• Collaborating with regional non- governmental organisations as well as local and international consultants, the project reaches out to 700 households. It prioritises extremely poor youth and women from both IDP settlements and host community villages.
Last updated: October 2025