Transforming life through Provision of Cash Assistance to vulnerable drought affected families in Gedo Region.

The deteriorating drought and hard economic conditions have pushed thousands of families into idps settlements in different parts of Gedo region. The humanitarian situation in the region has long been concerning due to increasingly frequent climate shocks. Yet, four consecutive failed rainy seasons have stretched
community resilience to its limits and the region is on the brink of famine. Halimo is a 35-year-old mother of four who has recently arrived in Ajuuran IDP camp in Bula-hawa in order to seek humanitarian assistance. She was selected for the Multipurpose Cash Assistance programme (MPCA) due to her vulnerability where she will receive 73 USD each month for four months from October 2022 to Jan 2023. “My only option was to beg for food in town, this MPCA will allow me to provide for my family,” she said. Halimo who has high affinity to start a small business and transform her family’s living sate however, lucking the opportunity to meet her dream has finally begun a business.

“Immediately I received the first month $73 on October I bought a small table, vegetables and fruits and started selling it in front of my house I am now generating income for my family and planning to expand my business each month I receive the 73 USD and after these four months I am willing to have a better business and if MPCA program duration is extended you will see me
having a big shop in tow,” she said.

Halimo and her four kids left Ufurow Village in Bay region after they lost everything to drought; livestock have died and crops depleted with no source of income, they decided to move to Ajuuran idp where some of her close relatives who previously left Ufurow village were living a quite better life with humanitarian assistance.
Halimo arrived in Ajuuran IDP in June 2022 after 2 days of tiresome journey from Ufurow with her family, she arrived with nothing. Here is where destitution of a new lifestyles begins four months before her close relatives contributed her some money and built her a semi-permanent house where they live today however, destitution was still her way of living before she was registered for MPCA by
NARDO. Halimo, who is pregnant with her fifth child, received her assistance through
money transfer (MMT) inform of electronic voucher card Plus (EVC plus). By NARDO contracted local money vendor (HORMUUD TELECOM) to do the transfer from October 2022-January 2023. Halimo and her family plan to remain in Ajuuran IDP for the time being, now that
they have been able to have a house and start a business and feel like a home, due to support from NARDO. Halimo remarked that while the journey has not been easy, however, “Little by little, our situation is getting better, and I appreciate your generous support during this hardship.” She said.