THE STATE OF SOCIAL PROTECTION IN SOMALIA: EXPANDING SAFETY NETS AMID FRAGILITY.

Social protection systems are a vital lifeline across the globe, shielding vulnerable individuals and families from poverty, shocks, and life’s economic uncertainties. In Somalia, given the background of prolonged conflict and climate-induced disasters, the idea of a functioning social protection system is both a necessity and a formidable challenge.

The good news is that there are clear signs that the country is on a path toward establishing structures that can safeguard its people.

In Somalia, humanitarian assessments reveal a sobering reality. Nearly half the population needs assistance, with more than six million people facing acute food insecurity during crisis periods. Behind these numbers are families struggling to feed their children, communities coping with repeated shocks, and individuals trying to rebuild after loss. In such a fragile context, social protection becomes critical for survival and a pathway to long-term recovery and resilience.

There’s a growing awareness that to build lasting change, Somalia must move beyond emergency aid toward coordinated, institutionalized systems that can sustainably protect its people.