INSIGHTS conducted a series of safety audits, walks, and mapping approaches to identify safety and protection issues for children in IDP camps and host communities in the Middle Shabelle region. Commissioned by SOS Children’s Villages International through funding from UNICEF, the assessment aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the protection risks and vulnerabilities faced by children in the Jowhar, Balcad, and Adale areas of Middle Shabelle. The safety audits were designed to identify specific safety concerns, map out areas with heightened risks, and assess the availability and accessibility of child protection services, ensuring that all key vulnerabilities were considered. This participatory approach included consultations with children and adolescents, whose voices and experiences were central to the process. By actively involving children in the assessment, they were empowered to contribute to decision-making and problem-solving efforts focused on improving their safety and protection.
The findings of the assessment are set to inform the development of a comprehensive protection strategy, which will specifically target the identified risks and vulnerabilities. This strategy will address the gaps in child protection services and improve coordination to ensure that children’s rights to safety, protection, and well-being are upheld in these areas. By focusing on the specific needs and challenges of children in the Jowhar, Balcad, and Adale regions, the goal is to mitigate risks and improve both immediate and long-term humanitarian outcomes. The insights gathered from this assessment will not only help enhance the protection mechanisms available to children but also contribute to improving the overall humanitarian situation for children in Somalia, particularly in IDP camps and vulnerable communities.