IOM launches housing scheme for 600 displaced families in Mogadishu
Mogadishu, June 15
The International Organisation for Migration, the UN migration agency, has said that it has completed Somalia's Garasbaley housing project, providing improved shelter for 600 vulnerable households.
The project was delivered in partnership with the Iskaashi Union, a key community representative body, and the Banadir Regional Administration's Durable Solutions Unit (BRA-DSU).
"Access to housing is much more than a roof over someone's head. It is about safety, dignity, stability, and the opportunity for families to rebuild their lives," Prestage Murima, deputy chief of mission of IOM Somalia, said on Sunday in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.
Murima said rapid urbanisation and the internal displacement of more than 3.5 million people have severely strained cities such as Mogadishu, making sustainable housing solutions an urgent priority.
Funded by the EU, the project benefits displacement-affected communities in Mogadishu, providing vulnerable families with safer living conditions while reducing their exposure to evictions.
IOM said it partnered with BRA-DSU, legal experts, landowners and community representatives to secure land tenure agreements, memoranda of understanding and rental arrangements.
These measures provide participating households with at least five years of tenure security and strong protection against forced evictions, according to IOM.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the project trained government representatives, community leaders, camp committees and technical teams.
IOM said the capacity-building efforts focused on housing solutions, tenure security, accountability, disaster risk reduction and community engagement.
The agency developed a new settlement in the Garasbaley district and built 400 transitional housing units, 100 shared latrines, water access points, solar lighting and drainage systems.
It also constructed all-weather roads, footpaths and a community multipurpose centre. Meanwhile, 200 nearby households received shelter repair kits, tools and technical support to improve their living conditions.
Batulo, a mother of three displaced from the Lower Shabelle region, spent years moving between temporary shelters that offered little protection, stability or sense of home.
She and her family lived under the constant threat of eviction and lacked any real sense of security.
Reflecting on the impact of the project, Batulo said: "Now, we feel that we are living in permanent, secure homes. I no longer fear eviction. My children feel safe, and we finally have stability."
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the intent, 600 families is a drop in the ocean when 3.5 million people are displaced. The EU funding is good, but sustainable solutions need local ownership. Hope the trainings for government reps actually stick—we know how capacity building often ends up in our country too.
The story of Batulo touched me. As someone from a conflict-affected region myself, I know that feeling of constant fear. 'Permanent, secure homes'—that's what every family deserves. Hope this model gets replicated. 🙏
Good initiative but why only 5 years of tenure security? That's still temporary. Real stability would come from permanent ownership. Also, 100 shared latrines for 600 families—that's just 6 families per latrine. Basic hygiene will be a challenge.
As an expat who worked in development, I'm glad IOM is focusing on integrated settlements—housing plus water, sanitation, roads, and community spaces. That's what makes a neighborhood, not just houses. India's own slum rehabilitation could learn from this comprehensive approach.
Koi baat nahi, at least some families are getting help. But in India, we have crores of displaced people due to dams, highways, and mining. If the UN and EU can do this in Somalia, why can't our government do better for our own people? 🏠
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