Somali projects

Since the collapse of the central government in Somalia in 1991, the country has faced prolonged periods of political unrest and insecurity. This has led to the severe destruction of infrastructure and state-run services such as health and education. Literacy rates in the country are 37% and life expectancy is 48 years.

Drought is a further significant threat to Somalia’s large pastoral population. Frequent droughts, which have more recently been recurring in shorter cycles in the Horn of Africa, have weakened the resilience developed by pastoralists to shocks over many generations. As a result of drought, an increasing number are on the brink of losing their livelihood while many others who have already dropped out of the pastoral system are displaced in camps. Livestock assets have diminished and access to employment is almost non-existent. In addition, environmental deterioration is a further impact of drought as a result of widespread forest exploitation by pastoralists in search of an alternative income.

VETAID has worked in Somaliland since 1995 and we are now expanding our programme into the rest of Somalia. We work closely alongside local partners in the country on projects which aim to improve the livelihoods of poor and disadvantaged farmers and pastoralists and assist them to deal with political and climatic challenges.

In late 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland. Although not recognized internationally, this administration has maintained a stable existence up to now. The neighbouring autonomous state of Puntland (Somalia) has made progress towards reconstructing a legitimate representative government. There are border disputes between Somaliland and Puntland.

Current projects

Sool Plateau Pastoral Food Security Project

Pastoral Dairy Development

Recent projects

Livestock Re-stocking

Drought Response