The livelihoods of the majority of Puntlanders have traditionally depended on livestock. In recent years, however, recurrent droughts and the region’s ever-deteriorating ecological environment have caused countless people in Puntland to lose their livestock, and with it, the only means of livelihood they have ever known. As a result, many of them have subsequently resorted to selling and cooking fish as the only reliable alternative means of livelihood. Small fish businesses are mostly run by female family breadwinners and IDPs. Given that these fish vendors often keep their fish in unhygienic conditions—and thus experience income losses due to fish meat contamination—they find themselves in a notably precarious economic position, with their livelihoods continuously threatened by weak fish sales.

Somali Family Services recognizes that strengthening the livelihoods of these fish vendors is an important way of promoting much-needed sustainable growth for Puntland as a whole. Therefore, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, it is currently implementing a project in Garowe that, in addition to giving micro-grants to 155 fish vendors (the majority of them women), aims to increase fish consumption by promoting improved hygienic, sanitation and selling practices. Furthermore, the 155 beneficiaries have the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurship and basic business and finance skills through a series of training workshops. The project is thus multidimensional and holistic in nature, seeking not only to improve the livelihoods of local fish vendors, but to build local capacity for economic growth and private sector development.