Somalia

Conflict, drought and rising food prices are combining to create a severe humanitarian crisis in Somalia.  Ongoing fighting between the transitional government and insurgents has displaced more than 1 million people and left at least 35% of the population in need of emergency food aid.

The International Rescue Committee is responding to the rapidly deteriorating situation by providing urgent water and sanitation for tens of thousands of displaced people and the communities now hosting them.

We are currently focusing on the Mudug Region, Central Somalia, where thousands have fled from the Mogadishu area.  Since late 2007, the IRC has been providing clean, accessible drinking water to displaced people and local communities by rehabilitating hand-dug wells in busy locations.  We have also been supporting safe sanitation, promoting hygiene and improving livelihoods through water programmes for livestock.

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Latest news and stories

Tens of thousands of urban refugees in Kenya face regular harassment, discrimination and poverty

25 March 2010

Tens of thousands of refugees seeking safety in Kenya's capital Nairobi are confronted with police harassment, exposure to criminal violence and a severe lack of livelihoods opportunities says a new report by the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG), International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Refugee... More >

Amid drought and displacement in Somalia, goats give birth to hope

19 March 2010

By Abdirahman Aden, IRC Somalia programme The humanitarian situation in Somalia is getting more complex and more severe every year. Food insecurity and high malnutrition rates remain a serious concern - caused by the continued and combined effects of violent civil insecurity, subsequent internal... More >

IRC and agencies express concern regarding an upsurge in fighting in Somalia

18 March 2010

Twenty-four humanitarian aid organisations, including the International Rescue Committee, have expressed concern about the upsurge in fighting in South/Central Somalia. Today they issued the following statement: As humanitarian agencies working in Somalia for many years, we are deeply concerned... More >