Multi-sector needs assessment report in Southwest Somalia
Focusing on: Education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, food security, livelihoods, and shelter and non-food items.
The multi-sector needs assessment report (MSNA) was conducted to identify and document the key humanitarian needs in Southwest State, Somalia. This information will be used to guide and inform Plan International's programmes in the region across multiple thematic areas, including livelihoods and food security, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, and shelter and non-food items.
Children face greater challenges in accessing education
MSNA findings reveal that various groups of vulnerable children face significant and differing challenges in accessing education across Baidoa, Barawe, Dinsor, and Wajid districts. Children with disabilities or special educational needs experience the greatest barriers, particularly in Dinsor where 51% reported difficulties: the highest across all categories highlighting severe gaps in inclusive education services.
Protection risks faced by girls when they are out of schools
The data shows that the main protection risks faced by girls when they are out of school vary across the 4 districts, but several patterns emerge.
In Baidoa and Barawe, gender-based violence is the most commonly reported risk, at 48% and 49% respectively, followed by concerns about child marriage (14% in both districts). Baidoa also reports moderate levels of physical attacks (11%) and no additional risks (21%).
In Dinsor, the dominant risk is child marriage, reported by 92% of respondents significantly higher than in any other district while all other risks remain very low, including gender-based violence (5%), child labour (2%), and physical attacks (2%).
The multi-sectoral needs assessment focus group discussion depicted that internally displaced families continue to struggle with meeting even the most basic needs, particularly daily meals for their children. This constant financial strain often forces children to attend school hungry or not attend at all—leading to rising absenteeism and, in many cases, complete dropout as families priorities survival over education. The situation is further worsened when children feel compelled to support their households through informal labour.
“Many families cannot provide enough food for their children each day, and this pressure pushes some of them out of school because survival becomes more important than learning and some of the children work as shoe shiners just to bring in a little income for their households” said Hawo, a parent.
Key safety concerns for children and adolescents in internally displaced communities
The MSNA findings reveal significant variations in child protection and safety concerns across the 4 assessed districts, highlighting how different risks disproportionately affect children depending on their location.
In Dinsor, being asked to marry by their families emerges as an acute concern, with an exceptionally high 69%, followed by Wajid at 41%, while Baidoa and Barawe report minimal levels. Child labour is most prominent in Wajid (32%) compared to very low levels elsewhere. Family separation is a major issue in Barawe, where 57% report losing caregivers, far higher than in Baidoa, Wajid, or Dinsor. Baidoa shows the highest concern for attacks or violence outside the community at 40%, suggesting a heightened external security threat compared to the other districts.
Groups of children most likely to be excluded from services across the 4 districts
Multi sectoral needs assessment highlights the groups of children most likely to be excluded from services across four districts: Baidoa, Barawe, Dinsor, and Wajid. There are significant variations between districts.
Children formerly associated with armed groups or forces were excluded in Barawe and Dinsor (100%), yet not at all in Baidoa and Wajid. Children from poor households see relatively low exclusion across all districts, with the highest being in Wajid (45%).
A notable percentage of children living with caregivers who have a disability or illness are excluded, particularly in Wajid (42%) and Baidoa (26%). Moreover, children living with elderly caregivers are most excluded in Wajid (50%) and Dinsor (33%), compared to lower levels in Baidoa (17%) and Barawe (0%).
Download the full report below
MSNA IN SOUTH-WEST SOMALIA -REPORT
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Categories: Education, Emergencies, Protection from violence, Sexual and reproductive health and rights
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