Somalia
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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
All stories about Somalia
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Somalia: There's more to Somalia than piracy April 17, 2009
You've probably been following the recent news about pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia.
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Somalia: Wellspring of Progress April 14, 2009
For the past seven years, Farhiyo Hussein, a 30-year-old mother of five, has lived in a camp in northern Somalia's Bossaso region. Like many IDP camps, hers lacked access to safe drinking water.
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Somalia: Building Safe Water Facilities March 4, 2009
Ask a community in crisis what it needs to rebuild, and clean water will be at the top of the list. Safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene are the very foundations of human health and community development. Mercy Corps emphasizes all three in our relief and recovery initiatives.
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Somalia: Helping Somalis Endure Hardship May 22, 2008
As Somalia slides closer to famine, Mercy Corps continues to drill boreholes, build schools and offer short-term jobs in an area where few global relief agencies will tread.
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Somalia: Helping a Failed State Succeed January 23, 2008
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Somalia: Q&A with Abdikadir Mohamed January 22, 2008
Abdikadir Mohamed has served as Mercy Corps' top representative in Somalia since June 2006. The 33-year-old Kenya native is an ethnic Somali who's worked in the country before, as a researcher for a health nonprofit in 2003 and 2004.
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Somalia: The Ladies of Mercy Corps Somalia December 13, 2007
I assumed Somali women would be quiet and shy — a little tough to engage in an interview.
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Somalia: Helping Somalia's Marginalized Minority November 5, 2007
Borini, Somalia — Even by Somali standards, the local Bantus have it tough.
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Somalia: Shoring Up Riverbanks - and Confidence October 25, 2007
Bandarjadid, Somalia — Driving off-road toward this riverside village, there are hints of its past glory: the rusted remains of a tractor, a long-abandoned granary.