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Your support can help women like Hafsa, and their communities who have been impacted by drought in Somalia.
Somalia is now facing a severe and prolonged humanitarian crisis as it enters an unprecedented sixth year of drought.
Across the country, there are almost 3,000 camps for people displaced by the drought with over 2.8 million people living there – uncertain of what the future holds. Life in the camps is hard. There is not enough water, food or shelter for everyone, and the situation worsens each day as more people arrive looking for support.
Oxfam is currently delivering a large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response prioritising water, sanitation and hygiene supplies that are desperately needed. Your generous support can ensure urgent needs are met, while laying the foundations for long-term recovery and resilience.
This represents 1 in 2 Somalis and includes 5 million children and 1.3 million women
Living in 3,000 camps for internally displaced people across Somalia. Since 2022, drought-induced displacement has increased five-fold
In 2022, 43,000 more people died as a result of drought than in similar droughts in 2017 and 2018
With every disaster, women’s rights and progress towards gender equality are threatened
Against a background of continuing internal conflict, dwindling water supplies and crop failure, the number of internally displaced people is growing rapidly. In communities and camps for internally displaced people across the country, clean water and sanitation are urgently needed. Oxfam is also paying close attention to the security of women who already facing discrimination and inequality in their everyday lives.
can help provide immediate access to life-sustaining clean water for families displaced by drought.
can help provide safe, long-term access to water by constructing water sources and water desalination systems.
can help support programs that help women discover their leadership potential and break down barriers to participation in their community.
As the situation escalates in Somalia, many mothers have made the difficult choice to leave their homes in search of water, shelter and security. These resourceful and resilient women are doing everything they can to provide protection and life-saving essentials for their families.
After the drought destroyed her livelihood, Hafsa had to leave her village in search of food and water for her two young children.
“We carried two goats with us, though they are very weak. We used to have more than 150 goats, all of them but two have died because of the drought, which is devastating for our home situation. Goats generate milk, meat and money if we sell them…I wished we could go back to our village.”
Once a successful pastoralist, Farhiya lost her livestock in the drought. With no more food or income, she moved her family to a camp for internally displaced people.
“Livestock is an asset and everything for the nomadic people. If you lose that asset, you don’t have anything in your hands. You become poor when you have lost your livestock. So now I can’t take care of the children. They need to have an education, and I have no support.”
Mariam once had 50 camels, but only two survived the 2017 drought. She used the surviving camels to move her children to a village with water.Anticipating a prolonged drought, Mariam sold the camels to support her family.
“Every day I found a dead or sick camel… The camels are resistant, but these last droughts have been very hostile.”
Like many people in her community, Kaltum has struggled to access enough clean water for her family.
“We have had a severe drought for a long time, and you only get water from time to time, and it depends on how you save water as a family.The biggest impact of the drought was on mothers and children because the mother sometimes will have some challenges with their children. So, we struggle with water, and the most water we have is two gallons.”
Why Oxfam
With over 69 years of experience, Oxfam has been working with local partners and communities to provide immediate and long-term solutions that help people lift themselves out of poverty. From 2021-2022, Oxfam reached 15.6 million people in 85 countries around the world, all made possible with the support of people like you…
Oxfam’s experience means we ensure communities are actively involved in the support we provide. We ensure communities survive today with safe, clean water, cash and food and prepare for tomorrow by getting water systems working again.
Where does Oxfam Australia work?
Oxfam Australia works in a number of countries around the world. More detail on our work in particular countries can be found in the countries where we work section of the site.
How does Oxfam Australia work?
Operating at all levels — from individual households to global forums — Oxfam Australia strives to:– save lives before, during, and after humanitarian crises– work locally with people and communities to support their development and influence policies and practices that will reduce poverty– influence governments, institutions and businesses to develop and implement laws, policies and practices that help people rise out of poverty.
We also run humanitarian appeals — to which the Australian public responds generously — and successful campaigns to mobilise Australians to take positive action to bring about change. The success of much of our work is thanks to our diverse and committed supporters and volunteers.
We work with hundreds of program partners: small and large organisations that work locally to deliver programs that help to save lives and tackle poverty and injustice in practical and innovative ways.
Where does the money go?
Your donation goes wherever the need is greatest and will support a range of Oxfam programs around the world. For a detailed breakdown of where your donations are used, please see where the money goes.
Do you have any more questions?
Please contact our friendly team on enquire@oxfam.org.au or 1800 088 110.
With every crisis, women’s rights and progress towards gender equality are threatened. Together, we can make sure resilient women and their communities facing poverty and inequality have access to clean water and sanitation.