Food Security and Livelihoods

Improving household resilience, restoring productive assets, and enabling sustainable income generation for food-insecure and crisis-affected communities.

Securing Nutrition, Sustaining Livelihoods

Integrated Recovery, Resilient Systems, Community Self-Reliance

ADA’s Food Security and Livelihoods programming is focused on addressing chronic food insecurity, disrupted livelihoods, and income vulnerability across Somalia. The organization supports communities in rebuilding their productive capacity through a combination of emergency response and sustainable recovery strategies. Interventions are designed to meet immediate needs while laying the foundation for long-term resilience and economic independence.

Programmatic approaches include cash transfer programming, smallholder agricultural support, livestock restocking, income-generating activities, and vocational skills development. ADA tailors interventions based on agro-ecological zones, market dynamics, and the socio-economic profile of target populations. Through partnerships with local authorities and farmer groups, ADA promotes climate-smart practices and livelihood diversification to reduce reliance on humanitarian aid.

Livelihood and food security activities are integrated with ADA’s health, nutrition, and WASH programming to ensure a holistic impact on household well-being. Special emphasis is placed on supporting women-led enterprises, youth employment, and the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure. By promoting inclusive, market-linked, and locally managed systems, ADA empowers communities to achieve food sovereignty and sustainable economic recovery.

Core Components of Livelihood Programming

Productive Assets, Market Access, and Income Diversification

ADA’s food security and livelihoods strategy is structured around six focus areas that build economic resilience and food availability in vulnerable settings. Each area combines practical support with systems strengthening to reduce risk exposure and enhance self-reliance. Interventions are informed by market data, local knowledge, and a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion.

Cash Transfer and Relief Support

Delivering conditional and unconditional cash to address immediate food needs.

Smallholder Agricultural Support

Providing inputs, tools, and training to increase crop production and yields.

Livestock Restocking and Care

Supporting pastoralist recovery through restocking and animal health services.

Vocational and Skills Training

Equipping youth and women with practical skills for employment and enterprise.

Microenterprise Development Support

Promoting small businesses through access to finance, training, and mentorship.

Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure

Rehabilitating canals, roads, and farm assets to boost agricultural productivity.