Somalia - Humanitarian Assistance - FAO 2016

March 2016 - Somalia has suffered from conflict and insecurity for more than twenty-five years and remains vulnerable to the effects of chronic natural disasters (drought flooding) making it one of the longest running and most severe humanitarian contexts in the world. According to recent United Nations assessments 4.9 million Somalis (about one half of the population) now require humanitarian assistance to survive an increase of more than 60% since the beginning of 2015. Of these over one million people have been internally displaced (and more than one million more are living as refugees in neighbouring countries). Widespread hunger high levels of acute malnutrition lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation vulnerability to disease outbreaks and threats to personal safety and security are all characteristics of the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing the Somali population. With GAC’s support the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is contributing to the improved health and livelihoods of up to 3 500 000 crisis-affected Somalis. Project activities include: (1) the provision of agricultural and veterinary inputs and training on production techniques for food insecure households and communities; (2) the establishment of community organizations to support local producers (agricultural fishing) and improve links with private sector; (3) cash-for-work schemes to rehabilitate and construct local productive infrastructure and market facilities; (4) support to local authorities regarding resource rehabilitation and management (i.e. water harvesting agricultural land use) emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction; (5) multi-sector support for reintegration of IDPs and returnees to build or safeguard livelihoods ranging from immediate basic needs (food water) during transit to longer term skills training; and (6) ongoing monitoring of food security and nutrition data and production of biannual seasonal assessments

The expected immediate outcomes for this project include: (1) improved food security for Somalis affected by drought and conflict; and (2) the improved resilience of Somali communities in the face of shocks. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.