Somalia

Photo: Cassandra Nelson/Mercy Corps

Our strategy

Respond to emergency needs rising from the Horn of Africa hunger crisis, while continuing work to build more peaceful, productive communities in Puntland, Somaliland and the Central region.

The context

Despite the country’s notorious instability, the northern parts of Somalia are relatively calm and functioning. Still, more than two decades of civil strife and extremism have resulted in a long-lasting class of displaced people dependent on government and humanitarian interventions. The worst drought in 60 years fueled a desperate food crisis throughout the Horn of Africa and created even more urgent needs in and around Mogadishu's displacement camps.

Our work

Emergency response: Providing food and clean water to families displaced by famine
Conflict & Governance: Forming peace committees to help communities resolve clan disputes and provide mediation services
Environment: Engaging local groups in environmental initiatives such as rehabilitating garbage pits, planting tree nurseries and launching a “reduce, reuse and recycle” campaign to promote climate-friendly economic development
Children & Youth: Increase education, economic and civic participation opportunities for Somali youth to reduce instability