In the Al-Baraka IDP camp in Baidoa, 24-year-old mother Markabo Ali Suleiman stands as a symbol of resilience, forced to rebuild her life from scratch after devastating floods ravaged her community, leaving thousands without shelter or basic resources. Markabo’s journey has been far from easy, and her story reflects the struggles faced by thousands of families in Somalia’s flood-stricken regions.
When flash floods hit Baidoa in October 2024, the impact was catastrophic. Heavy rains swept across the region, affecting over 122,000 people and devastating communities. Families in low-lying areas, including Baidoa city, were displaced overnight, and critical infrastructure was destroyed, leaving many without access to essential resources. Amid this turmoil, Markabo and her 9-month-old child found themselves in dire straits, with limited resources to support them through the crisis. Compounding her situation, Markabo lives with a disability, which further limits her mobility and access to employment opportunities.
“Before READO came, I didn’t have any good sleeping mattress. After giving birth via Caesarean section, I wasn’t getting enough sleep and medicine,”
Recognizing the severity of the situation, READO, in partnership with Plan International, initiated the “Emergency Cash and Protection Assistance for Flood-Affected Communities in Baidoa” project. This intervention was specifically designed to provide immediate relief to the flood’s most vulnerable victims, with a focus on delivering Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) and strengthening protection services. The project targeted displaced households across 28 IDP communities in Baidoa, with a particular emphasis on women, children, people with disabilities, and female-headed households—groups that were especially susceptible to exploitation and abuse.
For Markabo, READO’s intervention was a lifeline. As soon as she registered as a beneficiary, she received $120 in cash assistance via mobile money transfer, support that proved crucial, as it allowed her to purchase medicine, pay off debts, and buy milk for her child. The cash assistance gave her a sense of relief and dignity, allowing her to prioritize her family’s urgent needs.
In addition to financial assistance, READO and Plan International took significant steps to promote safety within the IDP camp. Protection awareness sessions were conducted to educate the community on handling crisis situations and preventing gender-based violence (GBV).
As a woman in an IDP camp, Markabo was at heightened risk of GBV—a reality that READO’s project aimed to address by promoting protective measures and providing access to psychosocial support for those in need. For many women like Markabo, these awareness sessions have been empowering, offering them knowledge and tools to navigate the challenges they face in the camp.