Child-friendly space supports internally displaced people in Somalia – Ali's story

Maryam* is a 40-year-old mother of 11 children living in a coastal community in Bander Beyla District, Karkaar Region, Puntland. Originally born in Hargeisa, she moved to the area at the age of 17, accompanying her brother whose family was residing there at the time. She grew up alongside her brother’s family and later married within the community, where she has since established her life and raised her children. Today, Maryam* raises her large family in a community facing economic hardship, climate shocks, and declining marine resources. The household is currently burdened with debts exceeding USD 1,200, while their estimated monthly expenses amount to approximately USD 300. With no reliable source of income and no extended family support to rely on, the family is facing severe financial distress and growing uncertainty about their future. Her family depends on the sea for survival, and her husband used to travel to Bander-Bayla to fish and sell lobsters, but marine production has sharply declined over the past two years, due to illegal fishing activities along the Bayla coastline. These activities have reportedly led to the confiscation of fishing equipment, including nets, and in some cases the destruction of small fishing boats. In addition, lobster stocks have significantly decreased and are now rarely found in the waters, further reducing income opportunities. With no steady income, absence of family support, and no remittance inflows from abroad, and increasing living costs, the family struggled to afford food, water, and school fees. Through the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) project implemented by Save the Children, Maryam’s* family was identified for assistance based on their economic hardship, lack of external support, the father’s unemployment, and the responsibility of caring for a large number of children, and received $90 per month for four months from October 2025 to January 2026. This cash assistance significantly improved their living conditions. She used the support to buy food, store water, pay for education, and improve her children’s nutrition. Beyond financial support, Maryam* is also part of an 11-member community committee formed in December 2024, and she has received two trainings on climate change, early warning systems, and community awareness. She now helps disseminate early warning messages from the government and Save the Children and educates others about drought preparedness, floods, and hygiene practices. The primary challenge Maryam* faces is financial hardship. The household has largely depended on the father as the main breadwinner, who works at sea. He has been without work for the past two months, leaving the family without a stable source of income. This economic disruption has made it increasingly difficult to meet basic needs, particularly education expenses. She explained that at times she feels overwhelmed and unable to manage the financial burden associated with her children’s schooling. Due to these financial constraints, she was forced to withdraw two of her children from school: an 18-year-old daughter who was in grade eight and a 13-year-old child who was in grade five. She emphasized that both children were highly motivated and passionate about their education, but financial limitations prevented them from continuing. Currently, she can’t afford schooling for six of her children, with a combined monthly school fee of approximately USD 70. Abdirisak Hayir/Save the Children

Aslam*, 60, is a farmer and wood gatherer living in a village with his family of 12 members, including one married son and seven children under the age of 18. The village, home to around 250 families, faces significant challenges such as limited work opportunities, water shortages, and difficult access to education and healthcare. Aslam* and his two sons, who work as daily wage labourers, earn an income of 100-300 Afs (xxxUSD), but they often find work for only 1-3 days a month, making it hard to meet their family’s needs. Before receiving cash assistance, Aslam’s* family struggled with poverty, unemployment, and food shortages. They often had to skip meals or eat leftovers for breakfast. His income is insufficient to meet the family’s needs, contributing to high levels of poverty, unemployment, and food shortages. The family had to travel two hours to a neighbouring province to buy food, which added to their hardships. Receiving cash for food services has helped Aslam* provide essential food items for his family. He is thankful to Save the Children, but he expressed that this amount is not enough. He hopes the organisation will continue helping him and families like his who are in need. Atabek Khadim / Save the Children