Mariam Mohamed Hussein, Somalia
Mariam Mohamed Hussein is the lead applicant for Loss and Damage project in Somalia on behalf of Hawa Feminist Coalition
Hawa Feminist Coalition is the recipient organization of the $25,000 loss and damage grant to implement the loss and damage project in Gedo, Bay, Bakol, Lower Jubba, Galgadud, Mudug, Nugaal, Sool, and Sanaag in Somalia.
Hawa Feminist Coalition was awarded a $25,000 grant to implement their proposed loss and damage project. The grant was part of the 2nd cycle of the loss and damage grant awarded by the Loss and Damage Youth Grant Making Cycle through the support of the Open Society Foundations and the Climate Justice Resilience Fund.
Description of Loss and Damage
Somalia, the second-most climate-vulnerable country globally, has faced escalating impacts of climate change, including its worst drought from 2021 to 2023, which claimed over 43,000 lives. The frequency and severity of climatic events, compounded by decades of conflict and political instability, have displaced 3.8 million people. Women and girls from drought-displaced populations are disproportionately affected, facing alarming levels of gender-based violence (GBV), such as rape, domestic violence, child abuse, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM). Reports indicate that 75% of GBV cases occur in displacement sites, where specialized mental health and psychosocial support services are largely unavailable. Survivors suffer severe physical and mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. The lack of adequate GBV treatment and support exacerbates the challenges faced by displaced populations in Somalia’s most drought-affected regions
Overview of the Project Addressing Loss and Damage in the Community
In response, the Hawa Feminist Coalition proposes a targeted project in the worst drought-affected regions of Somalia, including Gedo, Bay, Bakol, Lower Jubba, Galgadud, Mudug, Nugaal, Sool, and Sanaag. The project will train 100 young women volunteers in mental health and psychological support skills, provide mentorship to enable these trainees to assist over 50,000 GBV survivors, and establish grassroots mental health support groups across 34 drought-displaced settlements. This initiative aims to address the critical mental health needs of survivors and build resilience within the affected communities