Conflict and drought force people to leave their homes in Somalia

Muno, a 38-year-old mother of five, was forced to flee her home with her children. She took turns carrying her youngest children and the family’s few belongings on her back. The eldest children helped her carry the belongings. 
“We were forced to flee the drought and recurring conflicts. We lost all of our livestock. The violence and drought forced us to leave,” Muno says.

The family walked 43 kilometres in search of water and food until they ended up at an unofficial makeshift shelter outside the town of Adale in Central Somalia. Muno came to pick up cash assistance and essential household supplies, such as rugs, mosquito nets and feminine hygiene products, from the Somali Red Crescent Society’s aid distribution point. The emergency aid operation was funded by the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

A complex humanitarian crisis

The humanitarian situation in Somalia is one of the world’s most complex protracted crises. Armed conflicts are currently taking place in various parts of the country. At the same time, Somalia is suffering from extreme weather caused by climate change, such as drought, extreme heat and flooding. The country’s basic services are poor, and outbreaks of diseases, such as cholera, malaria and measles, occur regularly. 

Somalia is one of the largest recipients of international aid from the Finnish Red Cross. The Finnish Red Cross directs support from donors, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the European Union to the country. 

The Somali Red Crescent Society uses the development cooperation funds to improve maternal and child health and provide safe childbirth and maternity and child health clinic services through mobile and permanent health clinics. The aim is to provide health services with a particular focus on the most vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, mothers, children and people with disabilities. 

The support from the Disaster Relief Fund has been used to distribute things such as cash aid and essential supplies, improve hygiene and access to clean water and purchase nutritional supplements for young children. The work supported by the European Union strengthens the Somali Red Crescent Society’s capacity to respond more effectively to disasters, conflicts and disease outbreaks. The Finnish Red Cross also directs humanitarian aid from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to Somalia to help meet the country’s humanitarian needs.

Red Crescent can access difficult-to-reach areas

In Adale, Abdisalaam, an employee of the Somali Red Crescent Society, is leaning in to talk to Sadiya Ulusow. Abdisalaam is entering Sadiya Ulusow’s information into a mobile phone. The information will be used to help find Sadiya Ulusow’s husband. The family were separated during a conflict, and the Somali Red Crescent Society is helping to reunite displaced people with their families.

Providing aid in Somalia is possible because the Somali Red Crescent Society has access to areas where many other operators cannot work. 
“The Somali Red Crescent Society has never closed its office, not even during periods of active armed conflict. Its long-term presence builds confidence that help is available,” says Michaela Södergård, the Finnish Red Cross’s country representative in Somalia.

The Somali Red Crescent Society has strictly adhered to impartiality and neutrality. 

“This has secured the support of all parties for the Somali Red Crescent Society to operate in conflict zones. They have repeatedly stated that they are not on anyone’s side. Instead, they are there for anyone who needs their help,” Södergård says.

Text: Minttu-Maaria Partanen

Communications Specialist