IOM Completes Garasbaley Settlement Project for Displacement-Affected Families

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The International Organization for Migration (IOM), working with the Banadir Regional Administration and community partners, has completed a housing project in Mogadishu aimed at improving living conditions for hundreds of vulnerable families affected by displacement.

The Garasbaley Housing Scheme, funded by the European Union, has provided housing and shelter support to 600 households, many of whom have faced repeated displacement and the threat of eviction.

Somalia is home to more than 3.5 million internally displaced people, driven by conflict, climate shocks and economic hardship. Many have migrated to urban centers such as Mogadishu in search of safety and opportunities, placing increasing pressure on housing and public services.

The project established a new settlement in Garasbaley district featuring 400 transitional housing units, shared sanitation facilities, water access points, solar-powered lighting, drainage systems, roads and community infrastructure.

An additional 200 households living in nearby settlements received shelter repair kits, tools and technical assistance to improve existing homes.

For families such as Batulo, a mother of three displaced from the Lower Shabelle region, the project has brought a greater sense of security after years of uncertainty.

“We lived in constant fear of eviction,” she said. “Now we feel that we are living in secure homes. My children feel safe, and we finally have stability.”

Beyond housing, the initiative sought to address one of the key challenges facing displaced communities in Somalia: insecure land tenure. IOM worked with local authorities, legal experts, landowners and community representatives to establish agreements designed to provide participating families with at least five years of tenure security and greater protection from forced evictions.

“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,” said Prestage Murima, Deputy Chief of Mission for IOM Somalia.

The project also included training for government officials, community leaders and technical teams on housing solutions, accountability, disaster risk reduction and community engagement to support the long-term sustainability of the settlement.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by Somali authorities and international partners to promote durable solutions for displaced communities as the country continues to grapple with one of Africa’s largest displacement crises.