Foto: WARDI Info Foto: WARDI Somalia Empowerment of women and marginalized groups in southern and central Somalia Programs According to current estimates, around 6.9 million people in Somalia required humanitarian assistance in 2024. Nearly four million people are living as internally displaced persons (IDPs), one of the highest figures worldwide. Women, children, older people, people with disabilities, low-income households, minority groups, and internally displaced persons are particularly affected by crises and poverty, as these groups often lack the means to cope with crises. The risks in the project area are diverse. They range from environmental factors such as droughts, floods, and water scarcity—further exacerbated by climate change—to political risks including violence, crime, and an unstable political situation. The situation is further compounded by high unemployment rates, inadequate infrastructure, and widespread poverty, which limit access to food, healthcare, and education. Violence against women and girls, the recruitment of children by armed groups, and attacks are among the protection risks that further complicate daily life for families and pose a risk to people’s lives and health. In light of these multiple challenges, the project aims to sustainably improve the living conditions of families in eleven districts in southern and central Somalia. A particular focus is placed on strengthening women, girls, and other vulnerable population groups to cope with climate change, conflict, and disasters, while ensuring access to basic services such as healthcare, water, and education. To achieve these comprehensive objectives, the project is implemented through a consortium of national and international organizations. Project descriptionProject Goal: Promoting inclusive and resilient communities; improved access to WASH services; enhanced food security and income-generating opportunities; improved gender equality, protection for vulnerable groups, and advocacy for local NGOsProject Focus: Primary healthcare, water and hygiene, food security, gender equalityTarget Group: Direct beneficiaries: 216,335 (140,618 female, 75,717 male) Indirect beneficiaries: 236,575Project Area: Somalia: Bay, Middle Shabelle, Lower Juba, Mudug, Bakool, BanadirProject Activities: Protection, Gender Equality, Peace, and Social Cohesion Training sessions and events on gender-transformative approaches, conflict resolution, and empowerment Establishment of 30 disaster risk management committees and introduction of community-based early warning systems Establishment of referral networks and training of 600 local actors in trauma-informed support for survivors of violence WASH & Waste Management Construction/rehabilitation of deep boreholes, shallow wells, latrines, livestock watering points, and other WASH facilities; establishment of 54 water user committees Formation of 28 hygiene promotion teams and training of 60,500 women and girls on menstrual health; distribution of 4,100 dignity kits Establishment of 8 waste collection points and formation of 20 community-based sanitation groups Food Security & Agriculture Establishment of 160 mothers’ self-help groups Identification and treatment of 19,000 malnourished children (target: 6,000 treated) Training of 450 smallholder farmers (70% women) in climate-smart agriculture and crop diversification Support for 300 individuals through cash-for-work schemes Restocking of livestock Formation of fishing groups Healthcare Deployment of female community health workers to treat 900 minor illness cases Deployment of mobile health teams to serve communities in hard-to-reach areas Antenatal care services for 9,200 women Livelihood Support Vocational training for 460 women and youth Establishment and training of 186 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to promote collective saving and access to credit Strengthening Civil Society (through organization SNC) Dialogue, networking, and coordination among Somali NGOs Representation in high-level political coordination forums Project Duration: November 2024 – Juni 2028Financial Volume: 12,222,222 euros for all of the partnersPartner Organisation: arche noVa (AN), Johanniter (JUH), Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH), Wajir South Development Agency (WASDA), WARDI Relief and Development Initiatives (WARDI), Somali NGO Consortium (SNC)Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany (BMZ)Project Number: 6100208 Your contact person Alessandra Behler Member of Senior Management Team Programmes Anglophone Africa Phone: +49 2156 9788-114 TPL_EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.