Somalia Crisis - Improving Access to Food and Securing Livelihoods - FAO 2014

July 2014 - Conflict insecurity and drought have left three million people in Somalia (up to 40% of the population) in need of humanitarian assistance in 2014. Nearly 900 000 people face acute hunger and many more are food insecure lacking consistent access to sufficient safe and nutritious food. Child malnutrition rates in Somalia are among the worst in the world and access to medical care is extremely limited. One million Somalis remain displaced from their homes within the country and one million more are living as refugees in the Horn of Africa region. With support from DFATD and other donors the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is helping to meet the immediate needs of at least one million vulnerable food-insecure Somalis and helping to increase their resilience against future food security shocks (such as drought-related crop failures or spikes in food prices). Activities supported by DFATD funding include: (1) providing agricultural inputs (such as seeds and tools) veterinary support (for livestock) and training to allow vulnerable households to maintain their livelihoods and feed themselves; (2) establishing community organizations to support local producers (farmers and fisherfolk) and improve their links with the private sector; (3) rehabilitating local infrastructure (such as roads water points irrigation canals and dikes) and market facilities through ‘cash for work’ schemes employing community members; (4) providing training to local authorities to improve their ability to properly manage local resources (such as water and agricultural land) prepare for emergencies and reduce the impact of future crises; and (5) providing support to help returning refugees and internally displaced persons establish livelihoods and reintegrate into Somali society.

The expected immediate outcome for this project is improved food security and livelihoods opportunities for vulnerable people in Somalia. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people particularly women and children.