Humanitarian Relief Project

Providing emergency food, water and essential assistance to vulnerable families affected by drought, displacement and hardship in Somalia.

Supporting Families During Crisis

ARD's Humanitarian Relief Project provides direct assistance to vulnerable households affected by poverty, displacement, drought and humanitarian emergencies. Delivered through local partnerships and community networks, the project combines food, water, seasonal and household assistance to reach people when support is most needed.

The Challenge

Recurring drought and conflict have disrupted livelihoods and displaced families across Somalia, while high levels of poverty leave many households with limited capacity to cope with emergencies. Internally displaced families and vulnerable rural and urban households are particularly affected by rising food costs, water shortages and loss of income. During periods of severe drought or crisis, many families require immediate assistance to meet their most basic needs.

Our Response

ARD works directly with communities to identify priority needs and deliver practical humanitarian assistance. Project activities include:

01 Emergency Food Assistance

Distribution of essential food supplies to vulnerable and food-insecure households.

02 Emergency Water

Water trucking and other emergency water assistance for communities experiencing severe shortages.

03 Ramadan Food Support

Food packages and other assistance to help vulnerable families meet essential needs during Ramadan.

04 Qurban Assistance

Distribution of Qurban meat directly to vulnerable households during Eid al-Adha.

05 Emergency Household Support

Targeted assistance for displaced and crisis-affected families based on identified humanitarian needs.

Our Impact in 2026

Through its humanitarian relief activities, ARD has provided food, safe water and seasonal assistance to vulnerable and crisis-affected communities across South West Somalia.

Families Reached

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Water trucks delivered

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Goats distributed

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Districts covered

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Project Highlights

Emergency Food

Essential food assistance for vulnerable households.

Emergency Water

ARD provides emergency water to displaced and drought-affected communities facing acute water shortages. Water trucking delivers safe water directly to vulnerable communities where existing sources are inadequate or inaccessible.

Ramadan Food Assistance

During Ramadan, ARD provides food packages and Iftar meals to vulnerable families and individuals facing food insecurity. In 2025, working with DEDO Organization, ARD supported more than 500 families with essential food packages and provided approximately 9,000 Iftar meals throughout Ramadan in Baidoa.

Zakat & Household Assistance

ARD has delivered Zakat-funded assistance over several years, supporting vulnerable families with cash, food and other essential assistance. Support prioritises households experiencing poverty and hardship, including displaced families, orphans, widows, older people and other vulnerable community members.

Eid & Orphan Support

ARD provides seasonal assistance to orphaned and vulnerable children to promote dignity and inclusion during important community occasions. In March 2025, ARD and DEDO Organization provided Eid clothing to 220 orphaned children from disadvantaged communities and displacement settlements in Baidoa.

Qurban Distribution

Direct meat assistance to vulnerable families during Eid al-Adha.

Local Delivery

ARD works with local organisations, community leaders and volunteers to identify needs, coordinate assistance and reach vulnerable households. Local partnerships strengthen community participation and enable assistance to respond to local priorities.

Who We Support

The project prioritises households facing the greatest vulnerability, including:

Displaced Families

Families forced from their homes by conflict or crisis.

Drought-Affected Communities

Households experiencing water and livelihood shortages.

Vulnerable Households

Low-income and women-headed families facing severe hardship.

Children & Older People

People particularly vulnerable during humanitarian emergencies.

From Immediate Relief to Recovery

ARD recognises that emergency assistance alone cannot address the underlying causes of vulnerability. Where possible, humanitarian interventions connect with ARD’s wider work in WASH, health and nutrition, education, livelihoods and community resilience.

This approach helps communities meet immediate needs while strengthening their capacity to recover from future shocks.