Three months ago, Qulud Abdullahi was forced to flee her home in Bula Hajji in Kismayo as a result of armed conflict and settled at Karan Usle IDP site with her six children. She worked as a domestic worker and used to earn enough to support her family. A single mother since her divorce two years ago, she has shouldered the full responsibility of caring for her family, which includes a separated child for whom she is now the caretaker. The family had to adapt to the new environment, not knowing many people and without any source of income. They also had to cope with the trauma of leaving their home, losing their livelihoods and witnessing violence. With no steady income, Qulud relies on humanitarian aid and occasional support from her sister who could not afford to support them for long. Fortunately, Qulud was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the cash voucher assistance, implemented by Northern Frontier Youth League (NoFYL) through Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF). The Cash Voucher Assistance (CVA) program in Kismayo district plays a critical role in supporting vulnerable families, especially those caring for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). This CVA program aims to meet immediate needs and will cover a range of minimal basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing while also supporting child protection and case management efforts. Qulud received cash assistance through mobile money transfer of $50 – a crucial lifeline that brought newfound hope for her and her children.
“When I received the cash, I felt so happy. I felt for the first time that I could take a meaningful step forward,” Qulud shared, reflecting on how the assistance gave her an opportunity to make meaningful choice for her family. Qulud used part of her cash assistance to purchase a pregnant goat that is due to give birth in a month, an investment with the potential to transform her family’s future.With the goat providing milk soon, she plans to use some for her children and sell the surplus to earn a small income. She used the rest of the money to buy food for her children.
“This will allow me to depend less on others,” she explained. “Having the ability to earn something on my own, even if it’s small, makes me feel like I can support my family better.” she says, indicating that the assistance will provide a much-needed respite from her struggles.
In October, a total of 150 households with 75 boys and 75 girls were provided with $50 as cash voucher assistance. Through initiatives like the Identification, Documentation, Tracing, and Reunification (IDTR) process, NoFYL’s assistance strengthens families, ensuring a safer and more stable environment for vulnerable children.
Out of the 150 families who received CVA support, 85 households reported that the cash allowed them to purchase nutritious food for their children. “Now, I can make sure my children have enough to eat for a month or two,” shared one caregiver. “Having consistent meals has makes a difference in their physical health and happiness.”
For 13 families, the assistance helped secure shelter by covering rent or making necessary repairs, giving children a safe place to grow. “Our home is secure, and I no longer worry about where we will sleep,” one beneficiary shared. “Stability means my children can have a home and live a normal life.”
Additionally, 33 families used the funds to purchase clothing, bedding, and hygiene supplies. “These essentials help children feel confident and comfortable, especially in social settings,” a caregiver said. For many families, the dignity and security provided by basic items like clean clothes and hygienic living conditions significantly improve quality of life and social inclusion.
For Habiba*, a mother of five from Kismayo, the cash assistance from NoFYL has been a vital lifeline. Drought and ongoing conflict had forced her and her family to move to Kismayo, where she could barely scrape a living through odd washing jobs that earned her US$8 a month. She received US$50 which she used to start a small business selling tea, snacks and other food items to fellow IDPs. While she notes the amount provided isn’t enough, she is determined to save and gradually expand her kiosk. But for now, she can cover most of her family’s essential needs.
Beyond meeting immediate needs, the cash assistance helped some families explore sustainable income-generating activities. The use of mobile money allowed the recipients to retain the cash in their mobile wallets and make purchases, at their choosing, from local shops and vendors. One of the main advantages of unconditional cash transfers is that beneficiaries have the freedom to spend aid money on what is best for them, depending on their family’s needs. Two families, like Qulud’s, invested in livestock, buying goats to provide milk for consumption and sale. This small investment creates opportunities for ongoing income and food security, empowering caregivers and fostering resilience.
“Having this goat means so much to me and my family,” Qulud says. “It is a small beginning, but it represents hope. I am creating something that will support us in the long-term.”
As Qulud reflects on her journey, she voices a common sentiment: “Cash is good, I can manage it better and choose what I want. This support has made me feel seen and valued. I hope NoFYL will continue to stand with mothers like me, and consider increasing the assistance we receive so that we can fully cover our pressing needs.”
NoFYL’s cash voucher assistance (CVA) is critical to reducing vulnerability. The transfers offer flexibility, dignity and efficiency in addressing people’s diverse needs. The assistance demonstrates how direct support empowers vulnerable families, helping them overcome immediate challenges and build sustainable solutions. For Qulud and countless others, financial relief has offered dignity, stability, and the courage to envision a brighter future for their children.
CVA Photos:
