Horn of Africa: coordinated assistance for the Internally Displaced Persons

Abdiah Ali*, 27-year-old, found refuge with her two daughters and two sons in the Hisole IDP settlement located in Horseed, Shabelle Hoose region in southern Somalia.

Prior to leaving her village in Burhakaba District, Abdiah and her family were already struggling with poverty and famine, exacerbated by the ongoing drought. They lost all their livestock, which was their primary source of income and food. When the security situation deteriorated, Abdiah was left with no other option but to flee in search of a better life for her children.

Abdiah walked for two days, accompanied by donkey carts carrying some of her belongings, while she carried her young child on her back in search of life-saving assistance and protection. When they arrived at the camp, Abdiah managed to build a makeshift shelter using crude materials such as used clothes and paper bags.

Since 2020, Acted, thanks to the support of the European Union, supported the most vulnerable IDPs, by constructing transitional shelters and distributing solar lanterns to provide light at night.

Abdiah has been able to move into a real shelter, with a door and light at night. The family can now enjoy a greater sense of security.

“We are happy and thankful for this support. We are now protected from the sun and cold, and when it rains, we will be sheltered”, said Abdiah.

This project, is part of the Programmatic Partnership, a first of its kind, between Acted and the European Commission, aimed at meeting the immediate needs of vulnerable, forcibly displaced populations both in and out of camps. Through the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) approach that Acted implements in different IDP sites across Somalia, it ensures equitable access to assistance, protection, and services for IDPs living in displacement sites.  Through this project, Acted aims at improving the quality of life and dignity of displaced persons while seeking and advocating for durable solutions

This programmatic partnership is also implemented in nine other countries:  Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Uganda.