Mogadishu, Somalia, 30 August 2024 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is proud to announce the successful completion of its European Union-funded project in Somalia. Throughout 2023, the project significantly impacted the lives of vulnerable populations by delivering essential health, nutrition, and protection services to some of the country’s most hard-to-reach areas.
Thanks to the contribution of 1 million euros from the European Union, the IRC reached approximately 200,000 individuals, providing life-saving assistance and critical support in a country grappling with severe humanitarian challenges. This support enabled the IRC to provide essential health services to 180,000 people, 64% of whom were women. Additionally, the IRC treated 7,000 malnourished children under the age of five in the Banadir region. The IRC also provided critical assistance to women and girls, ensuring they were protected from and treated for the consequences of gender-based violence, reaching over 11,000 women and girls in Banadir and Mudug regions.
Somalia continues to face one of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises. Years of conflict, compounded by recurrent droughts and, most recently, devastating floods, have left millions of people in urgent need of assistance, with 4 million people facing food insecurity. The health system remains under extreme strain, with limited access to essential services exacerbating the already dire conditions. Malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, and protection needs, particularly for women and children, are acute. An estimated 1.7 million children aged 6 to 59 months are facing acute malnutrition between January and December 2024, with 430,000 likely to be severely malnourished.
Commenting on the closure of the project, Richard Crothers, IRC Country Director for Somalia, said:
“Our EU-funded initiative has been pivotal in addressing the urgent needs of Somalia by providing integrated health and nutrition services, alongside essential protection support, to some of the country's most vulnerable communities—including those severely impacted by floods and ongoing conflict. We are deeply grateful for the support of the European Union, which has enabled us to deliver life-saving assistance to those in dire need. Such consistent flows of humanitarian aid are indispensable in helping us ensure that the people of Somalia can rebuild their lives and access the services they so desperately need.”
About IRC Somalia: The IRC began working in Somalia in 1981 in the aftermath of the Somalia-Ethiopia conflict. While operations have faced several interruptions due to insecurity and civil unrest, the IRC has been operating continuously since 2007. The IRC is active in key areas of concern, including Banadir, Puntland, South-West, Jubaland, and Hirshabelle states, and continues to support families with healthcare for malnourished children, unconditional cash transfers, rehabilitation of boreholes and water sources, and mobile health services to reach deeper into hard-hit areas.
Through the financial support of the EU, the IRC scaled up its operations and delivered comprehensive care to communities that would otherwise have limited access to such services. This collaboration is a testament to the shared commitment of the IRC and the EU to uphold the dignity and well-being of those affected by the ongoing crisis in Somalia.
About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid: The European Union and its Member States are among the world's leading donors of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by disasters and human-induced crises. Through the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.