Livelihoods lost: forced displacement in Somalia

The report “Livelihood lost: Findings from two rounds of the Somalia Displacement Phone Survey” gathered data from internally displaced people in and out of settlements, refugees, refugee returnees, and host communities. The results show that, even amidst harsh conditions for everyone, the displaced population — particularly internally displaced people living in settlements — fares worse than host communities across nearly all indicators.

Disabilities are more common among displaced Somalis and access to healthcare is precarious. Fewer than 40% of households that illness reported accessing proper medical care. Financial costs and the distance to health facilities were some of the main barriers.

These hurdles are particularly worrisome because almost two out of ten displaced household heads have disabilities, mainly attributable to landmines, inadequate preventative and therapeutic healthcare, aging, congenital issues, and female genital mutilation. Disabilities can hinder the integration of displaced people into social and economic activities. Similarly, the high proportion of dependents — including children and the elderly who cannot work—further increases the risk of poverty and vulnerability among the displaced population in Somalia.

Amidst these challenges, the situation is further compounded by severe droughts, which have significantly deteriorated livelihoods in Somalia and led to protracted internal displacement. Moreover, these alarming circumstances are exacerbated by extreme flooding and ongoing armed conflicts.

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The report reveals that most displacement-affected households live in unimproved shelters constructed with mud and sticks. The majority have insufficient water supply and share toilet facilities with other households.

Overall, these households are more likely to be headed by men and have more household heads with disabilities, especially among IDPs in settlements. Except for refugees, they also tend to be larger and to have more children. Despite all adversities, the substantial youth population also offers potential benefits for socio-economic development, which can be harnessed through investments in education, job creation, and their inclusion in decision-making processes.