• Water in Humanitarian Context (Somalia)

Access to safe and clean water is one of the most critical humanitarian needs in Somalia, where recurrent droughts, displacement, and conflict severely limit water availability. Many communities, particularly in rural areas, IDPs, vulnerable host communities, and conflict-affected zones, rely on shallow wells, rivers, or unprotected sources that are often contaminated. This exposes families to waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid. Humanity Support Organization (HSO) prioritizes emergency water trucking, rehabilitation of boreholes, construction of storage facilities, and sustainable water management systems to reduce water shortage and the people can have access clean water. Beyond lifesaving water supply, HSO supports community-based water committees and trains local technicians, ensuring resilience and long-term sustainability. Reliable water access reduces disease outbreaks, strengthens food security, and upholds the dignity and survival of displaced and vulnerable populations.

• Sanitation in Humanitarian Context (Somalia)

Sanitation is a vital component of humanitarian response in Somalia, where displacement and rapid population movements often create overcrowded settlements with little or no proper waste management. Poor sanitation contributes to recurrent cholera and acute watery diarrhea outbreaks in IDP camps and rural communities. HSO addresses or to reduce the poor sanitation this by constructing emergency latrines, rehabilitating public toilets, and promoting safe waste disposal practices. HSO give Special attention is given to gender and protection needs, including separate facilities for men and women, child-friendly latrines, and safety measures for women at night. Where possible, sustainable approaches such as eco-toilets and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) are introduced. Effective sanitation programming prevents disease, reduces environmental contamination, and promotes dignity among crisis-affected populations.

• Toilets and Maintenance

In Somalia’s IDP camps and rural settlements, toilet cleaning and maintenance are essential to sanitation. Even newly built latrines can quickly become unsafe without proper upkeep. HSO address to reduce this by conducting trains to camp committees, hygiene promoters, and volunteers in safe cleaning practices, by providing tools such as brushes, soaps, disinfectants, gloves, and buckets. Cleaning schedules are established to ensure regular maintenance, while special attention is given to women’s needs for privacy and menstrual hygiene management. Clean and safe toilets not only prevent disease outbreaks but also encourage regular use, ensuring the sustainability of sanitation infrastructure.

• Hygiene in Humanitarian Context (Somalia)

Hygiene promotion is critical to preventing the spread of disease in displacement settings, where overcrowding and limited facilities create high health risks. Lack of proper handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, and food safety often contribute to outbreaks of cholera and other communicable diseases. HSO conducts hygiene campaigns, distributes hygiene kits (soap, sanitary pads, buckets, jerrycans, and water treatment tablets), and establishes handwashing stations in schools, health centers, and IDP camps. Community hygiene promoters deliver awareness sessions using culturally sensitive and creative methods such as drama, radio, and storytelling to reach people with low literacy levels. Strengthening hygiene practices prevents disease, protects dignity, and empowers women and families to safeguard their health.