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Somalia

FAO’s Transitional and Livelihood Programme Empowering Rural

Communities to Combat Food Insecurity
Somalia continues to face more frequent
climate related crises like droughts and
floods linked to climate change, leaving
a large part of its population vulnerable.
Communities struggle to grow food sus-
tainably, relying on limited livelihoods.
Predictably, these livelihoods are often vul-
nerable to these disasters. This leads to se-
vere food shortages forcing many to aban-
don their homes and lose their means of
living. Urban areas consistently shoulder
the burden of this displacement, strained
by the surging population and unable to
adequately meet the demands of the ever-
increasing populace. As a result, the coun-
try heavily depends on humanitarian aid,
leaving its economy vulnerable to global
and regional shocks.
To combat this challenge, the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) is imple-
menting the Long-Term Cash and Liveli-
hood Assistance Programme. This initiative
aims to provide immediate relief in areas
experiencing persistent food insecurity, savings, and create networks of trust. using ayuuto (merry-go-round) savings,”
specifically focusing on the most vulner- Using the group platforms, members said Kaltumo. “People with urgent needs
able recipients who previously benefited can borrow from the merry-go-round fund
from emergency cash aid. The primary meet weekly and are trained to save by and repay it later. So, we opened that ac-
goal is to disrupt the cycle of households purchasing shares at an agreed price per
returning to acute food scarcity after emer- share. Adhering to religious ethos, the ac- count with the money we received, and we
gency interventions, establishing a con- cumulated amount is disbursed as inter- also use it for various other purposes. The
est-free loans. Members are responsible
nection between immediate relief efforts for repayment within a set period. Mem- merry-go-round fund serves as a lifeline
and long-term development strategies. for those in need,” she added.
By preventing further displacements, this bers are also encouraged to contribute to The USAID-funded programme has
initiative targets vulnerable households, a social fund that serves as insurance for extended its reach to other rural commu-
especially in areas like the Dolow district, the VSLA members during emergencies. nities across the 15 selected districts na-
where food insecurity remains a recurring “The Long-Term Cash assistance has
issue. enabled me to provide for my family while tionwide. We supported 13 292 vulnerable
Funded by the United States Agency for affording me the opportunity to increase agro-pastoral households who were iden-
International Development (USAID), the my income, as I have been able to adopt tified, selected, and verified according to
programme combines long-term cash as- effective saving practices, which were pre- the programme’s criteria. “We selected
sistance with additional support measures, viously unfamiliar to me. I am now plan- households identified in the FAO database
including the formation of Village Savings ning to invest in my own business thanks to as the most vulnerable and in need of such
and Loans Association groups (VSLAs), nu- the programme,” said Kaltumo Ali Nur, one intervention, said Fikirini Mwimbe, FAO’s
trition sensitization, and livelihood diversi- of the beneficiaries of the Long-Term Cash Social and Financial Inclusion Specialist.
fication training, Long. Term Cash support Programme. “This is why we gave priority to groups
helps households cover their essential In her residence in Garasow Bore, Dolow like women-headed households, internally
needs, while the training and savings el- district, Kaltumo sits surrounded by four of displaced households, those with disabled
ement empowers them to adopt effective her ten children. She credits the program members, and the elderly,” she added.
saving and investment practices, enabling for ensuring that her children had enough
better preparation or absorption of unex- food to eat and clothes to wear. Kaltumo’s “FAO assistance has helped the village
pected shocks. household, being vulnerable, was a pri- at the time of the famine. If they hadn’t
The formation of VSALs seeks to realize mary focus of the program, which specifi- come with cash transfer, people would
an increase in household savings, invest- cally prioritizes support for disabled indi- have been displaced by now,” said Osman
ments, and, therefore, income through viduals, the elderly, and other vulnerable Abdullahi, another beneficiary from Gara-
value addition on products to increase groups like orphaned children raised by sow Bore village.
their demand, supply, and availability in single parents. According to Kaltumo, the The Transitional Cash and Livelihood
the market. Increased access to savings monthly payments from the programme
and credit facilities has proven to be key enabled her to purchase essential items for Programme has offered a safety net and
in reducing the impact of shocks and in her children and even participate in a mer- long-term strategies to bolster the resil-
increasing household income diversifica- ry-go-round savings program she joined. ience of communities in Somalia, recog-
tion. Through this facility, communities can “The assistance from FAO has been very nizing that most rural families struggle to
build financial resources, foster a culture of beneficial to us. We saved some money withstand shocks like droughts.
Arab Agriculture 2024 41