A lifeline for mothers: How cash transfers helped a mother of eight

In Jalalaqsi District of Hirshabelle State in Somalia, many families continue to struggle with the effects of climate shocks, rising food prices and increasing economic hardship. For vulnerable households, especially mothers with young children, meeting daily needs has become more difficult than ever.

For 32-year-old Habbon Gedi, these challenges are part of everyday life.

As a mother of eight children, three girls and five boys, Habbon carries the responsibility of caring for a large family while navigating the uncertainty that many families in her community face today. Providing enough food, accessing healthcare and meeting household needs often require difficult choices.

When she became pregnant and later began breastfeeding her baby, those challenges became even heavier.

In response to growing humanitarian needs across Somalia, UNICEF, with funding from KfW, is supporting the Child-Sensitive Social Protection Programme (CSSP II), with implementation in Jalalaqsi District carried out by Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in collaboration with government partners and district stakeholders.

The programme is designed to support pregnant and lactating mothers and children during the most critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life, helping families cope with economic hardship while improving access to nutrition, health services and child protection support.

Through the programme, Habbon was selected to receive cash assistance over a six-month period. She received USD 60 per month for three months, followed by USD 20 per month for another three months.

For Habbon, the support came at a time when her family needed it most.

“With the money I received, I bought medication and nutritious food that helped me during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. These were things I could not always afford because life has become expensive and taking care of a big family is not easy,” she explains.

The assistance gave her the ability to focus on both her own health and the wellbeing of her baby, reducing some of the pressure many mothers in vulnerable communities face every day.

Across Hirshabelle State, the programme is supporting 5,750 pregnant and lactating women with children under one year old, helping families meet basic needs while protecting mothers and children from the growing impacts of food insecurity and poverty.

For communities like Jalalaqsi, where repeated climate shocks and rising living costs continue to put pressure on already vulnerable families, this type of assistance provides more than financial support. It helps families maintain dignity and gives mothers the opportunity to care for themselves and their children during critical stages of life.

For Habbon, the programme offered reassurance during a difficult period, helping her navigate motherhood with less uncertainty.