Oxfam's work in Somalia in depth

Somalis are some of the world’s most resilient and resourceful people, yet years of conflict and drought have left many people struggling to survive a humanitarian catastrophe.

 

Latest: East Africa drought

The context

After more than 20 years of conflict between rival factions, cycles of drought and flooding, and with no effective central government, Somalia is in the midst of a humanitarian emergency. Oxfam has been working in Somalia since the 1960s, providing immediate life-saving aid and long term development assistance to the most vulnerable people. Somalia is one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid agencies to operate – much of Oxfam’s work is implemented by local partner organisations and communities.

The Afgooye Corridor

The camps along the Afgooye Corridor are one some of the most densely populated in the world, with 400,000 people crammed into basic shelters along a 15-kilometre stretch of road. Most have fled the fighting in Mogadishu, and more people arrive daily. Oxfam is working here with its local partner HIJRA to provide water, sanitation and other vital aid.

In the past year, water tanks and systems have been built to provide people with safe, clean water. Over 3,000 new latrines have been built, benefiting more than 100,000 people. Wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels have been distributed to help clear up garbage and improve sanitation. Soap, sanitary towels and clean jerry cans for carrying water have also been given out to help prevent disease spreading.

The majority of people here live in poverty and employment is scarce. Several thousand of the poorest families have benefited from a cash-for-work project, in which Oxfam and HIJRA provide $60 a month for families to make items such as brooms and energy-saving stoves from local materials, which can then be sold to improve the family’s income. Basic classrooms and huts for community meetings have also been constructed as part of the project.

Before the construction of the water system, washing hands was a luxury. There wasn’t enough water – a jerry can of 20 litres served over eight people. Diarrhoea outbreaks were frequent. However, since Oxfam and HIJRA started supplying us with water, diarrhoea outbreaks have almost disappeared. We are able to wash our clothes and bathe anytime we want. Our latrines are now clean, there are no flies, and above all, it feels good.

Rukio Yusufu, Kulan camp, Afgooye

In pictures: Taking fresh aid to the Afgooye Corridor

Mogadishu

The country’s capital has been left a virtual shell from years of war, famine and poverty. Around 350,000 people in the city are displaced and face a daily struggle to find enough food and water. Diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases are common.

Oxfam, working with HIJRA, is constructing a water system and latrines to benefit 200,000 people. Emergency cash has also been given to some of the most vulnerable families. Women have used the cash to start small businesses such as shops and tea stalls – providing a source of income to feed their families.

Vital aid has also been provided to some of the city’s hospitals, where local doctors and nurses struggle to meet the needs of victims of disease and violence. A water supply has been set up – previously even the hospitals had no source of clean water, as old tanks and pumps were destroyed. Emergency wards had no doors, windows, beds or clean latrines. In response, latrines have been rebuilt and beds, mosquito nets and some basic medicine have also been delivered.

In pictures: Taking shelter in the grounds of an old church

Blog: Inside Mogadishu's hospitals

Somaliland

Due to the better security situation in this northwestern region of Somalia, Oxfam is able to maintain a functioning office, as well as working with local partner HAVOYOCO. Oxfam works with pastoralist communities in Somaliland and along the Ethiopian border. Livestock and agriculture are the most important livelihood activities here, generating income and providing food such as maize, sorghum and vegetables.

However, the region is affected by chronic drought and Oxfam works to help communities and local government to prepare. Berkads (traditional rain water reservoirs) have been rebuilt and strengthened, and dams and ponds have been constructed to help store precious rain. Oxfam has also trained animal health workers, to provide veterinary care to livestock.

Blog: 'City of Hope' - reflections from Somaliland

Due to the relative stability in Somaliland, some people displaced by the violence in Mogadishu and south-central Somalia have fled to camps here. Oxfam is working in camps such as the 15th May Camp near the town of Burcao, providing water and sanitation to new arrivals, many of whom have lost everything they owned on the long and difficult journey north.

Abdillahi Jimla, a father of 5 children, has been in 15th May camp for a few months.  He fled with his family from Mogadishu after two of his “little girls” were killed in the city.  Along the way, still in shock at losing his two daughters and having to flee his home, he was robbed.  He and his family continued on foot but two more of his children died on the way.  “I think it’s because of malnutrition. I don’t know. I don’t know what happened. We had to bury them on the side of the road,” he said with teary eyes.

Northeastern Kenya

After fleeing the fighting in Somalia, many families have ended up in neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia, Yemen and Kenya. The Dadaab refugee camp in northeastern Kenya is one of the biggest in the world, housing 300,000 people. Some of the residents have been living in Dadaab for many years; others continue to arrive every day. The camp is extremely overcrowded, now sheltering over three times the number of people it was designed for. Oxfam is providing water and sanitation systems in parts of Dadaab.

Overcrowded, desperate and barely fit for humans

 

Last updated: January 2011