Hiiraan Online

Dhusamareb (HOL) - In the heart of the Ceeldheer district, within the grip of both conflict and drought, the resilient community of East Galgaduud is now witnessing a glimmer of hope. Since April 2023, the Somali Relief Centre (SRC) has been providing life-sustaining support to families caught in the crossfire of these dual disasters.

Somalia's fragile economy, worsened by the harsh realities of climate change, serves as the backdrop to this struggle for survival. These factors have led to a significant depletion of community resources and a compromised ability to cope while ongoing conflict continues to amplify their vulnerability.

One beneficiary, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her experience with the media. "We've never seen such support before," she said. "It's our lifeline until we can recover and stand on our own feet again. We're stuck in a harsh reality where self-reliance is a distant dream, and this support has arrived just when we needed it most."

Building resilience within these beleaguered communities, even while delivering emergency aid, presents a complex challenge—one that is currently prompting vigorous discussions among the Somali government, humanitarian agencies, and donors. The SRC's Head of Projects, operating under these challenging conditions, voiced a profound commitment: "We have a deep emotional investment and ambition to uplift the community of Ceeldheer as much as we can."

When asked about fostering resilience, SRC representative Mr. Ali offered insight: "Resilience is not a quick fix. We need solid, structured, and strategically planned resources. At SRC, we aim to recalibrate our approach, shifting from static humanitarian intervention to more entrepreneurial models. As humanitarian actors, we must infuse innovation into our work to build stronger resilience."

The SRC's livelihood support center sees over 500 vulnerable families every day, their lives marked by the scars of past and ongoing droughts and conflicts. It serves as a sobering reminder of the sustained need for both immediate emergency aid and long-term resilience-building support.