In Somalia, 30-year-old Abdirahman faces a daily struggle to survive. Life in the city of Beledweyne, central Somalia, is tough after years of relentless drought and failed crops.
Formerly a pastoralist with a thriving herd of cattle and goats, Abdirahman’s life has been shattered. The loss of his livestock was soon followed by the devastating death of his wife and, more recently, his 5-year-old son Yusuf, who succumbed to malnutrition and exhaustion during their harrowing trek from their home village in search of safety.
Abdirahman is now left to care and provide for his remaining family members – 2 young sons.
“We walked for weeks under the scorching sun with almost no water. It’s a miracle we even made it from our small village to find safety,” Abdirahman says.
A stark new reality
Arriving at Gargaar 1, an internally displaced peoples (IDP) camp in southern Somalia, Abdirahman, like so many others, faced a grim new reality.
The camp is a sprawling expanse of makeshift shelters with very limited resources available for its inhabitants. Here, men who once took pride in their autonomy and ability to provide for their families, confront a profound identity crisis.
Ibrahim, a fellow IDP and former pastoralist, shares his turmoil:
“Back home, I could provide for my family. Here, we rely on aid. It’s hard to feel like you’re not the protector anymore.”
This sentiment is echoed among many of men in the camp who grapple with their changed roles and diminished sense of self, as they are increasingly reliant on humanitarian aid.
A complex crisis
The challenges faced by Abdirahman, Ibrahim and the community around them underscore a larger, more complex crisis unfolding across Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.
Persistent drought conditions, exacerbated by climate change, have decimated traditional livelihoods, forcing millions to flee their homes to camps like the one in Beledweyne.
Despite the presence of humanitarian agencies, like Islamic Relief, the struggle to survive continues.
Hassan, who arrived at the camp 3 months ago, describes the daily battle for basic necessities:
“Each day is a battle. We line up for hours hoping to get enough for our children.”
His youngest son, frail and listless, clings to him – a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against malnutrition.
The human toll
For men like Ibrahim and Hassan, the crisis is a relentless test of their resilience and ability to adapt to new roles in a drastically altered world. They are no longer just herdsmen; they are survivors fighting to provide for their families against overwhelming odds.
Abdirahman’s story, along with those of countless others in his position, reveals the harsh human costs of these environmental and geopolitical crises. The poignant and emotional story of their plight not only sheds light on the physical and emotional strains endured, but also acts as a powerful call to the global community – more help is needed.
Please help Islamic Relief continue to support vulnerable people in Somalia and help them rebuild their livelihoods. Donate now.
