Understanding Gatekeeping in Somalia: A Three-Part Research Series
This research series, commissioned by the Somalia Cash Consortium and the BRCiS Consortium and conducted by E4C, offers a deep dive into the complex dynamics of gatekeeping affecting displaced populations in Somalia. Drawing from extensive fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and political economy analysis, the Final Report maps out two distinct gatekeeping models—the organized IDP business model found in urban hubs like Mogadishu and Baidoa, and a more diffuse, clan-based model prevalent in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The Learning Brief distills key insights and practical guidance for humanitarian actors seeking to navigate these power dynamics and strengthen accountability. Complementing these, the Infographic provides a visual snapshot of how gatekeepers operate and the financial and social toll imposed on internally displaced persons. Together, these pieces shed light on the realities of aid access and control in Somalia and offer actionable entry points for more equitable and effective programming.
Mapping Ecosystem Health in Somalia: The BRCiS III Baseline by ICRAF
Completed in January 2025, this ecosystem baseline assessment was produced by CIFOR-ICRAF for the Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) Consortium. It provides the first comprehensive, field-validated analysis of land health across 37 BRCiS III project areas, using a combination of the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF), remote sensing, machine learning, and community surveys. The study classifies ecosystem degradation into three levels—moderately degraded, degraded, and highly degraded—based on indicators such as soil organic carbon, vegetation cover, and erosion prevalence.
With 79% of sampled plots showing severe erosion and low levels of herbaceous cover and infiltration capacity, the report underscores the urgent need for ecosystem restoration. It also reveals how communities’ access to vital ecosystem services—like water and grazing land—declines sharply during dry seasons and climate extremes. The findings offer essential insights for designing targeted, area-based restoration strategies and underscore the importance of community engagement, grazing management, and adaptive planning in fragile Somali landscapes. This baseline sets a critical foundation for BRCiS III’s climate resilience and land restoration work in 2025 and beyond.
