The GFFO Project is a comprehensive humanitarian initiative designed to provide essential services to communities in Somalia’s Bay region, particularly those affected by the ongoing drought. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and implemented in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the project operates in Dinsoor District, aiming to ensure safe, equitable, and sustained access to critical health, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), protection, and food security services.
The project’s core objective is to reduce the transmission of fecal-oral diseases, mitigate exposure to disease-bearing vectors, and improve the overall living conditions of drought-affected communities. To achieve this, the GFFO focuses on promoting good hygiene practices, providing temporary access to water through water trucking, and repairing non-functional water sources to ensure safe drinking water. Additionally, vulnerable households are supported through Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), which helps families meet their basic needs, including food, while also protecting livelihoods during emergencies.
Key activities of the project include:
- Health Services: The project provides quality preventive and curative primary healthcare services to members of the target communities, including reproductive health care for women, men, girls, and boys.
- WASH Services: Basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services are delivered to ensure that communities have access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and good hygiene practices, reducing disease transmission.
- Protection and GBV Response: Women and girls are provided protection from and treatment for the consequences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), improving their safety and well-being in vulnerable situations.
- Food Security and Livelihoods: Vulnerable households are supported through MPCA to meet basic needs, manage the impact of environmental and economic shocks, and protect their livelihoods during emergencies.
The GFFO Project runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, and targets drought-affected communities in Dinsoor District, including both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities. The project aims to benefit 15,035 households, equating to 90,210 individuals, across 8 villages and 17 IDP settlements.
Through its integrated approach, the GFFO Project not only addresses immediate health, water, and food security needs but also contributes to the long-term resilience and well-being of affected populations in Somalia’s Bay region.