Somalia: our response

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How we’re supporting people in Somalia

Our project in Somalia is supporting people with shelter and essential aid.

Along with our partner Juba Foundation, we will support 75,000 vulnerable people in Somalia who have been affected by disasters and conflicts. We will provide emergency shelters and help them build durable homes.

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Where is Somalia?

Somalia is on the east coast of Africa, as part of the Horn of Africa. It shares borders in the west with Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. The coast looks over the Arabian sea. The country is known for having the longest national coastline.

The climate in Somalia is typically hot, with periodic Monsoon winds and rain. Somalia is classified as the second most at risk country to climate change in the world. Changes in weather patterns have seen increasing droughts, flooding, cyclones and locust swarms.

Somalia’s geography and landscape make it vulnerable to disasters and food insecurity. Ongoing conflict and political instability has weakened infrastructure and food and shelter security. Disease outbreaks are both common and devastating.

Somalia is also widely referred to as a ‘Nation of Poets’. There is a longstanding story-telling tradition within Somali culture. Family is a hugely important part of Somali culture. Families in Somalia are traditionally large and close knit.

Photo from inside a internal displacement site that ShelterBox and Juba Foundation have supported, with durable shelters and household items, in the Baidoa region of Somalia. — A drone photo from inside a internal displacement site that ShelterBox and Juba Foundation have supported, with durable shelters and household items, in the Baidoa region of Somalia.
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Crisis in Somalia

Going into 2025, Somalia is bracing for the risk of yet another multi-season drought.

5.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Mass displacement due to climate and conflict is frequent. People on the move are vulnerable to forced eviction because of lack of property rights.

When families try to settle in a new place after being displaced, they are often immediately evicted. This means that some people have had to move many times.

Read about what is causing the crisis in Somalia.

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How we’re responding

With Juba Foundation, we’ve worked with landowners and the local government to make sure people have a right to remain for at least two years. In Dollow land, tenure has been secured for 15 years.

We provided the materials and technical guidance to our partner. They’ve constructed locally appropriate shelters for people, using timber framing and tarpaulins. People will now be well protected from extreme weather and disasters. The shelters have windows and a lockable door that give people privacy. They also provide space to spend time with their families, and additional security.

We recently re-started our projects in Somalia. We previously worked in Somalia in 2011. Between 2018-2020, we worked in the Somaliland region, responding to drought. This is considered an independent country from Somalia, but is not internationally recognised.

As such, we took time to evaluate the context and find a strong partner on the ground. This has enabled us to work effectively and rapidly to support those who need it.

We have also supported communities in neighbouring Ethiopia affected by drought and conflict.

Faay’s story

We supported people like Faay and her family to feel more secure in their new home.

“Like many other women in this camp I became a mother at a very young age. As a result, I was faced with lots of challenges and significant responsibilities. When I look at the beautiful house that I have been given, I have a sense of faith in a better future and even a better hope for my child.”

Our aid items in Somalia

We are providing aid packages with other essential items to people in Somalia. People receive a solar light, a simple but vital piece of equipment when there is no electricity. They give light in the dark evenings, helping people to cook safely with the kitchen sets we provide.

Items like water carriers and mosquito nets allow people to protect their families from diseases. Blankets and sleeping mats help keep people warm and comfortable, especially at night. These items give those who’ve had to leave everything behind a new starting point.