. The changing climate and conflict are the driving factors behind poverty in Somalia, where ongoing droughts and political insecurity have led to internal displacements, with much of the population living in camps. As a result, almost 70% of Somalis live below the poverty line and only 53% of children are enrolled in school. In response, many organizations are providing valuable resources to alleviate poverty in Somalia. Here are just five charities operating in Somalia that have made a difference in poverty reduction.

Islamic Relief

This charity provides valuable resources for local communities affected by water scarcity due to the ongoing drought. Islamic Relief has helped displaced communities by drilling a borehole and creating a water supply system in Baidoa, a large city in the southern region of Somalia.

Islamic Relief also trained local community members to establish a water management committee. This has enabled them to oversee the water facility independently. The facility was officially handed over to the local community in August 2023. It now supplies clean drinking water to 3000 homes in Baidoa.

Concern Worldwide

With a mission to end extreme poverty, this charity operates several projects in Somalia that focus on emergency responses to natural disasters and population displacement. It also invests in long-term programs to improve the resilience of local communities. Its latest achievements include the establishment of 13 fixed and 15 mobile health centers. These centers provide patient consultations, antenatal and postnatal services, treatment for malnutrition and immunization for 503,000 patients in 2022. Concern Worldwide also focuses on livelihood support and has created 65 self-help groups for women in Somaliland. The support has improved their social and economic positions in society.

Ifrah Foundation

This charity has been operating in Somalia since 2014 and aims to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This practice is a violation of human rights. It has a prevalence rate of 99% in Somalia – the highest in the world. FGM is carried out on young girls and can cause severe bleeding, extreme pain, cysts and infections, problems urinating and complications in childbirth. It can also negatively impact the mental health of young girls, causing shock, depression and anxiety.

Empowering women and improving gender equality is a key accelerator for sustainable development. Ifrah Foundation’s “Dear Daughter” campaign works across three pillars of action to improve the quality of life for Somali women: Advocacy, Awareness raising and Community Empowerment. The charity has trained 665 community activists on the dangers of FGM and the power disparity between genders, which allows girls and women to be violently targeted. These activists then return to their local communities in Somalia and advocate for the end of FGM by sharing their knowledge with members of their community.

Salam Charity

This organization is dedicated to empowering Somalia’s youth. About 70% of Somalia’s population is aged less than 30 and 67% are currently unemployed. As a result, most young people in Somalia cannot afford vital health care. In response, Salam Charity has created a mobile medical clinic by recruiting teams of medical professionals in Somalia.

This traveling clinic can dispatch essential medical treatments to hard-to-reach communities affected by the civil conflict. In addition to providing free check-ups and treatments, the nonprofit also offers funding to pay for life-altering cataract surgery, which can increase opportunities for the visually impaired.

Muslim Aid

This charity has been operating in Somalia since 1993, when it was first established there in response to the civil war. Since then, it has introduced various projects to aid the country’s recovery and development.

One of its priorities has been education. In 2006, Muslim Aid formed Basaso College, which has now expanded into a university with 532 students. It also addresses gender inequality by providing training and equipment to 500 women to build their skillsets and teach them how to run their businesses. Additionally, it has provided counseling for victims of rape and gender-based violence.

These charities operating in Somalia are improving the lives of vulnerable Somalians by providing them with access to water, education and health care.

– Sabrina Batouche

Sabrina is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr