UN-Habitat and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) partner in cash transfer initiative to cushion Kismayo residents from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
250 households will each receive a total of USD 210 over a three – month period to support their families
KISMAYO, Somalia, April 14, 2021/ --
UN-Habitat has disbursed the first tranche of direct cash transfers of
USD 70 each to 250 vulnerable households in Western Kismayo as part of
the COVID-19 response within a larger project funded by the Government
of Sweden which addresses youth and urban regeneration in Somalia. The
same 250 households will each receive a total of USD 210 over a three –
month period to support their families in an initiative which will
benefit over 2,000 people indirectly.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted Somalia’s economic recovery and
the government shutdowns have impacted the most vulnerable communities
including urban communities in one of Somalia’s largest cities, Kismayo
whose dwellers are the main targets of this intervention,” said Falastin Omar, Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Somalia Programme.
In addition to direct cash transfers, the COVID-19 response strategy
will provide access to water and ensure handwashing facilities are
available in the informal settlements of Kismayo as well as selected
public places.
“Somalia is facing multiple and recurring shocks that have been further
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the decrease in remittances,
job opportunities and the increasing cost of basic commodities,
something has to be done to help the poor and vulnerable. This programme provides cash transfers for that purpose. We are happy to see our
support helping people make ends meet, and are happy to work together
with the UN, the Jubaland Administration and the local communities to
contribute to sustainable development efforts in Kismayo,” said the
Ambassador of Sweden to Somalia, Staffan Tillander.
The communities in the west of Kismayo city were excluded from the
2019-2020 -relief support as focus shifted to communities in the
riverine areas along the Juba River due to persistent flooding that
caused displacement.
“This intervention is timely because in addition to the loss of
livelihood from the pandemic, the economic impact was worsened by the
prolonged drought and severe climatic changes,” said the Mayor of
Kismayo, Ibrahim Mohamed Yusuf.
This COVID-19 response initiative is part of the USD 4.6 million Youth
and Urban Regeneration Project (YOURS) funded by the Government of
Sweden. The project will contribute to reducing spatial urban
inequalities by promoting sustainable urban regeneration, youth
development and re-integration of marginalised groups through building
capacity of government institutions and socio-economic resilience of
urban communities. Over the next 3 years, YOURS will be implemented with local and regional authorities across the project locations including
Baidoa, Dollow, Kismayo and Mogadishu.
UN-Habitat and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) partner in cash transfer initiative to cushion Kismayo residents from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
UN-Habitat and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) partner in cash transfer initiative to cushion Kismayo residents from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
UN-Habitat and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) partner in cash transfer initiative to cushion Kismayo residents from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
UN-Habitat and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) partner in cash transfer initiative to cushion Kismayo residents from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
UN-Habitat and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) partner in cash transfer initiative to cushion Kismayo residents from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
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