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Somalia-Somaliland

The humanitarian situation in Somalia-Somaliland

A newly rehabilitated water point has provided the community of Ljaara a place to get water.

Photo: Angela Hill / IFRC

Food insecurity, water scarcity, and health impacts

In Somalia-Somaliland, the impact of climate change, decades of conflict, deeply rooted inequalities, poverty, a fragile health system, and widespread diseases have compounded to create a humanitarian crisis, and gaps in the volume of global assistance available to address it.

Climate-related disasters such as cyclones, recurrent droughts, and floods have destroyed primary sources of food and income in farming and agriculture across the country, as well as reducing clean water sources and sanitation— both of which are contributing to widespread food insecurity and an acute water shortage in Somalia-Somaliland.

  • Water scarcity has led to a high prevalence of illnesses, particularly acute watery diarrhea and cholera.
  • Severely malnourished children are at increased risk of additional medical complications such as pneumonia, acute watery diarrhea, skin infections and measles.
  • This adds strain on an already stretched healthcare system, where much of the rural population has limited or no access to health services and a disproportionate number of children die from preventable illnesses.
  • After decades of conflict, many people have been displaced internally and across borders, restricting their access to health services and their ability to sustain traditional livelihoods.

Combined with the impacts of climate change, people have not had the opportunity to recover from repeated crises. As a result, their reliance on humanitarian aid has increased.

In Somalia-Somaliland, boys, girls, women and men have different needs. Canadian Red Cross support to the Somali-Somaliland Red Crescent Society (SRCS) seeks to ensure that those different needs are recognized and met.
 

Partnering with the Somali Red Crescent Society to support local communities

A group of people sitting outside, one wearing a Canadian Red Cross vest

Photo: Angela Hill / IFRC

The Canadian Red Cross has worked alongside the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) since 2017, when the two organizations partnered to operate a Cholera Treatment Centre in Somaliland. Canadian Red Cross support has continued to strengthen SRCS’s capacity to respond to and prepare for emergencies, particularly for epidemics and public health concerns tailored to local needs. Through this approach, which is being implemented by SRCS in all six regions of Somaliland, communities learn how to better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

Protecting women and girls in Somalia-Somaliland

Protecting women and girls is a top priority for SRCS. Trained volunteer health workers run community sessions to raise awareness on important issues like public health, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse and gender-based violence (including female genital mutilation), and managing menstrual health. These sessions involve women community leaders, teachers and senior students in school clubs to create lasting change.

The Canadian Red Cross and SRCS have a five-year strategic partnership to strengthen SRCS in key areas of their strategic plan. Their goal is to build strong communities that are empowered and prepared to support people impacted by humanitarian crises and emergencies. This investment boosts local capacity in Somalia-Somaliland, helping to meet humanitarian needs and build resilience.
 

Somalia-Somaliland Humanitarian Crisis: How you can make an impact

A doctor measures a child’s arm

Photo: Angela Hill / IFRC

The best way to support Canadian Red Cross programming in countries like Somalia-Somaliland is to make a donation to the Africa Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Donate to the Africa Humanitarian Crisis Appeal

Your gift will support the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Somalia and other impacted African countries to provide support to people hit hard by multiple humanitarian crises. Your donation could provide health care, relief supplies, and assistance for individuals, families, and displaced populations affected by drought, floods, and severe weather effects, or those experiencing food insecurity. Donations may also help to support immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and preparedness for future events in and around the impacted regions.