Reimagining the Future: Food Security in Somalia
Four stories. One shared hope: a future without hunger.
From displacement
to lasting food security
Four families, across three locations, at different stages of the journey from crisis to recovery. Each story brings you closer to the realities of food insecurity, climate shocks, and the hopes for a path toward stability.
The poem
'Ciida ku hiilineysa'/
The land shall testify for you
we come from a lineage toughened by the harshest of terrains
etched into our dna is a resilience that can hold up an entire moon
harness its rays to lighten our trajectory.
come abundance or come drought
no child of ours should know the weight of hunger
if we have the land then we are rich
and if we have each other, then we are strong
Hassan
When the Land Could No Longer Sustain Us
Holding Onto Hope Amid Uncertainty
There was a time when Hassan could provide for his family from his own land, until drought and floods took that away. He moved to Baidoa to start again, but the early days were uncertain and fragile. With emergency support, he was able to get through that period and keep his family going. Today, he's still looking ahead to a moment when he can rebuild and stand on his own again.
Discover the filmWhen I was farming in my rural area, I remember harvesting two full truckloads of crops… Sometimes we suffered because of a lack of rain, and other times our crops were destroyed by floods. It was during those times that we began to lose morale and the strength to continue farming.
Hassan Alio Maalim
Addey
Planting the Seeds of a New Beginning
Re-imagining a Way Forward
Addey arrived in Dolow in a similar position, displaced, with no income, and responsible for her children on her own. But over time, with the right help at the right moment, she began to regain some control over her situation. A turning point where survival begins to shift into recovery.
Discover the filmWe were displaced and went through many difficulties until we reached here… Now I am better than I was before. I depend on my own farm, and I no longer go to other farms to collect vegetables like before.
Addey Hassan Hussein
Nuur
Preparing for Tomorrow
Building Stability Over Time
Nuur's life was shaped by constant movement and uncertainty. Over time, he began to build something more stable, with support and his own effort helping him move beyond repeated setbacks. Today, his situation is steadier, with more predictability for his family. He is now focused on maintaining that stability and being better prepared for the future.
Discover the filmI believe drought is something that will always come…. That's why I think every person should prepare in advance to grow strong, lasting food crops and store them for the future.
Nuur Shiikhdoon Ismacil
Boosteyo
Building Something that Lasts
Towards Self-Reliance
Boosteyo's situation reflects what longer-term progress can look like. She is able to rely on her own effort to support her family and plan beyond immediate needs. This stability creates space to make decisions and think beyond survival toward a future where she stands fully on her own, with the strength to support others along the way.
Discover the filmFood security, to me, means peace of mind. It gives me a sense of stability. It means reaching a point where I can say to myself, 'Today, you have enough to eat, so now focus on building something lasting.'
Boosteyo Mahamud Shire
The film
From the moment everything is lost to the slow work of rebuilding, this film follows what happens next. It's a story about moving beyond survival, toward stability, dignity, and the belief that a different future is possible, one without hunger.
Watch the filmCommunities at the Centre
of Their Own Stories
This journey is built on a simple belief, the people most affected by food insecurity and displacement should have a central role in shaping how their experiences are understood and shared.
The stories featured here were not gathered from the outside looking in. They emerged through sustained community dialogue and communication processes rooted in the contexts and voices of individuals, families, and communities across Somalia, because those with lived experience of these realities hold knowledge that no external account can replicate.
When communities lead the narrative, we move beyond crisis as the defining frame. What emerges instead is a richer picture of resilience, adaptation, and possibility. One that recognizes everyday life as a site of hope and reimagination.
On the Somali Mat
The photography series began with conversations on the Somali mat, a familiar space for gathering, conversation, and reflection. Participants shared stories of their journeys, challenges, and hopes for the future, drawing on memories and experiences that have shaped their lives.
Through these community dialogues, participants played an active role in shaping how their stories would be represented. Each individual curated their own portrait, choosing how they wished to be photographed and selecting objects that hold personal significance in their everyday lives.
The traditional Somali mat (kebed) plays many roles, from covering homes to cushioning animals, and creating a shared space for living and gathering – a symbol of community and connection.
Ahmed Mohamed
Ahmed Mohamed, 23, is a farmer and community leader who has started to see the results of rebuilding his life after drought.
Read the story
Boosteyo Mahamud Shire
Boosteyo, a farmer, mother, and community leader, weaves a Somali mat to reflect the same care and connection she brings to holding her family and community together.
Read the story
Sahro Deeq Shire
From a small classroom in Dolow to dreams of becoming a scientist, Sahro Deeq Shire, 17, is discovering how education, supported by food security, can shape not only her future but Somalia's future.
Read the story
Diryara Osman
Diryara Osman, 34, a single mother displaced by conflict, is rebuilding her life, now running a small sewing business and working toward a more secure future for her children.
Read the story
Abaay Mohamed Issack
From the fertile lands of Daweelow to a shelter in Baidoa, Abaay Mohamed Issack, 60, mother and grandmother, is on a quest to re-imagine what recovery looks like in her age.
Read the story
Mohamed Muqta
Muqtar Mohamed came to Baidoa in 2022 after drought and insecurity forced him to leave his home, settling with his family in Elalan camp.
Read the storySupport
Hunger in Somalia is rising rapidly and is hitting children and women the hardest. Without immediate support, families could soon face the worst consequences.
Our work is 100% voluntarily funded and every donation makes a difference. It only takes a minute to donate, but the impact can last a lifetime.
Please help the UN World Food Programme – the world's largest humanitarian agency – provide life-saving food to the most vulnerable families.