Humanitarian Assistance for Internally Displaced People and Returnees in Somalia - CARE 2021-2022

February 2021 - Despite progress towards sustainable political stability the impact of more than three decades of insecurity exacerbated by frequently recurring drought increasing seasonal flooding an ongoing historic infestation of desert locusts and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left much of the population without access to basic services and ever more vulnerable to the next shock. Internal displacement remains at record levels with an estimated 2.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs) living in more than 2 400 sites across the country and severe food insecurity is projected to increase in 2021 as a La Niña weather event is expected to bring renewed drought conditions early in the year. Altogether an estimated 5.9 million people in Somalia will require humanitarian assistance in 2021. With GAC’s support CARE is improving access to safe water sanitation and hygiene services and helping households meet essential needs amongst internally displaced persons returnees and host communities in Somalia’s drought- and conflict-affected Lower Juba region. Project activities include: (1) rehabilitating water points and distributing water and sanitation related non-food items in IDP communities; and (2) providing unconditional cash grants to vulnerable IDP returnee and host community households.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) reduced morbidity and mortality due to water-borne disease and COVID-19; and (2) increased ability of vulnerable households to meet their essential needs in a safe and dignified manner. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.