Developmental Projects (Long-term Livelihood Support)
- Farming
HSO’s farming projects enhance resilience by improving food production, nutrition, and income opportunities. HSO provides seeds to farmers to use for farming, HSO conduct training about farming and maintenance of the farm, These projects provide training on modern farming techniques, drought-resistant seeds, and irrigation methods to increase yields. By promoting local food systems, HSO reduces dependency on aid and improves household food security. Women and youth are actively engaged, ensuring inclusivity. Partnerships with cooperatives and markets enable farmers to sell their produce, generate income, and sustain their livelihoods beyond donor support.
- Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)
VSLAs empower vulnerable communities, particularly women and youth, by enabling them to save, borrow, and invest. Members contribute weekly savings into a group fund, which is then used to provide small loans for businesses, education, or emergencies. At the end of each cycle, savings and profits are shared among members. HSO promotes VSLAs to strengthen financial resilience, foster collective responsibility, and support micro-enterprise development. They play a crucial role in women’s economic empowerment and community stability.
- Small-Scale Business Development
Small-scale business support reduces poverty and unemployment by equipping beneficiaries with entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, and startup capital. HSO supports the creation of kiosks, tailoring shops, food vending, and other businesses. These initiatives diversify household income, stimulate local economies, and empower women and youth to become self-reliant. By connecting entrepreneurs to markets and suppliers, HSO ensures businesses are sustainable and continue to thrive beyond the project period.
- Tailoring and Hina (Cilaan Sar) Training
Vocational training in tailoring and traditional beauty services provides culturally relevant and sustainable income opportunities, especially for women. Tailoring training prepares women to produce uniforms and clothing for markets, while hina services generate income during weddings and cultural events. HSO provides training, starter kits, and mentorship to beneficiaries, empowering them with skills for self-employment. These projects enhance self-confidence, reduce unemployment, and create pathways for women and girls to achieve independence.
Humanitarian Assistance (Short-term Emergency Relief)
- Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCT)
HSO implements UCTs to provide quick financial relief to vulnerable households
during crises such as drought, floods, and displacement. Cash enables families
to meet urgent needs—food, water, medicine, or shelter—while supporting local
markets. UCTs respect beneficiary dignity by allowing choice and reducing
harmful coping strategies. While short-term in nature, they remain one of the
fastest and most flexible responses during emergencies.
- Conditional Cash Transfers (UCT)
CCTs are linked to specific requirements such as school enrollment or health check-ups.
In Somalia, HSO uses CCTs to encourage positive behaviors, like ensuring
children attend school or mothers receive antenatal care. This approach
addresses immediate needs while building long-term resilience in education and
health.
- Food package
Food packages remain lifesaving in acute crises, especially where markets are
disrupted. HSO distributes staple foods like rice, flour, sugar, oil, and
pulses to IDPs and vulnerable households. Packages help prevent malnutrition
among children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Though temporary, they provide
critical support until families can recover through longer-term livelihood
programs.