Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) Ramadan Food Basket Program Brings Vital Aid to Somaliland
- ajoyce140
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Somaliland, in northwestern Somalia, is facing a growing food crisis that’s pushing more and more families to the brink. After years of drought, economic hardship, and limited access to basic services, many people are simply struggling to survive. Families are going days without enough to eat, and parents are making impossible choices just to get by.
While local communities have shown incredible resilience, the challenges have become too big to face alone. Some of the drivers of food insecurity in Somaliland include multiple failed rainy seasons, leading to crop failure, displacement and conflict spillover forcing tens of thousands of displaced families into border towns and IDP, high food prices and economic barriers and strained local capacity to provide enough food and water for civilians.
The most vulnerable of the population are hardest hit including children under five, pregnant women, and the elderly. With limited access to nutritious food, many children are showing signs of stunting and wasting, both of which can have long-term consequences on their growth and development. Health clinics are reporting a sharp rise in cases of anemia, low birth weights, and other complications tied directly to hunger and malnutrition.
Life for Relief and Development utilized its Food Basket Program to assist struggling families in Borama Town and its surrounding rural areas during the month of Ramadan. A total of 161 food baskets containing enough food staples to last an entire month were distributed at the beginning of the month. Each food basket contained flour, wheat flour, rice, dates, oil, sugar, beans, and powdered juice mix. While the contents of the baskets were simple, the relief felt by the almost 1127 total beneficiaries was palpable.
Nine-year-old Khalid lives with his grandparents in a small farming village in Somaliland. He said to the LIFE team, “This food basket has been a true gift to our family. I can now focus on my studies without the constant worry of hunger. We are thankful for this kindness.”
Thank you to all the donors whose generosity has made a significant difference in the lives of families facing profound challenges in Somaliland.
