From Crisis to Stability: Nuuro’s Story of Survival and Hope | World Vision
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In Somalia, where prolonged drought has devastated livelihoods and displaced thousands of families, the struggle to meet even the most basic needs is an everyday reality. For mothers like Nuuro Mohamed, survival has meant navigating hunger, uncertainty and loss while protecting their children’s future.

Before the drought, Nuuro’s family relied on livestock for their livelihood. But after four consecutive failed rainy seasons, most of their animals perished, forcing the family to flee to Buurcaanood displacement camp.  

Suddenly left without income and separated from her injured husband, Nuuro became the sole provider for her five children. The family relied on occasional support from neighbours and small debts from local vendors to survive. 

“There were days when we did not know where our next meal would come from. We depended on the kindness of others just to keep our children alive,” she recalls.

Meeting Immediate Needs in a Time of Crisis 

Through World Vision Ireland’s Irish Aid-funded Somalia Drought Response Project, Nuuro’s family received unconditional cash transfers over three months.  

This support was part of a wider response reaching over 3,000 individuals, ensuring vulnerable households could meet urgent needs quickly and with dignity.  

 

Nura sitting
Nura sitting with World Vision Representative
Where Nura Lives

For Nuuro, this assistance brought immediate relief:

  • Food became available again for her children
  • She could access clean water and basic medicines
  • Outstanding debts were repaid
  • Her household regained a sense of stability

Across the programme, 98.7% of households were able to meet their immediate food needs, demonstrating how timely support can stabilise families facing crisis. 

Protecting Children and Supporting Education 

Beyond meeting basic needs, the cash assistance also helped families prioritise their children’s wellbeing and future.

In displacement settings, children are often at risk of dropping out of school or being pushed into harmful coping strategies. However, through this intervention:

  • 62.9% of households reported using support to help children attend school, reducing exposure to harmful coping strategies such as child labour
  • Families were able to purchase basic school materials
  • Children experienced safer and more stable living conditions 
Nura

Restoring Dignity and Reducing Stress

The impact of the intervention extended beyond material needs.

97.8% of beneficiaries reported reduced stress and improved wellbeing  

Families avoided negative coping strategies such as selling remaining assets or taking on debt

For Nuuro, the change was profound: “I am deeply grateful to World Vision for providing us with cash assistance for three months. It transformed our lives, moving us from despair to hope and restoring our dignity”.  

A Foundation for Recovery 

While challenges remain, including limited access to education within the camp, the support provided a critical foundation for recovery.

Nuuro’s story reflects a broader reality: when humanitarian assistance is delivered in a timely and flexible way, it not only meets urgent needs but also protects children’s futures and supports pathways toward education and resilience.

Through programmes like this, crisis-affected families are given the support they need to stabilise, recover, and rebuild their lives with dignity. 

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