Completed Project – 11

From May to October 2025, Kaalo Nederland implemented the Sustainable Livelihoods: Training Former Nomads as Fishers project in Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia. The project supported drought-affected former nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods had been devastated after years of recurring drought gradually wiped out their livestock, forcing them to leave their traditional way of life and settle in urban areas.

The project provided a six-month fisheries training programme for 20 household breadwinners, equipping them with practical skills to build sustainable alternative livelihoods. During the training period, participants received a modest living allowance to help them continue supporting their families while acquiring new skills.

The training combined classroom learning with practical field experience and covered fishing techniques such as netting, baiting, hooking, reading sea conditions, boat handling, marine safety, sustainable fishing practices, fish handling, basic business skills, market linkages, and entrepreneurship. Following the completion of the training, participants received one month of coaching to strengthen their transition into full-time fishing.

To enable graduates to begin earning an income immediately, Kaalo Nederland supplied two motorized fishing boats and 20 fishing nets. Participants were organized into two fishing crews, with each crew receiving one boat, and were supported to join the Hodan Fishing Cooperative, where they continue operating independently while benefiting from the cooperative’s network and support.

The project successfully trained 20 former nomads, directly improving the livelihoods of 20 households comprising approximately 130 family members. Fishing has become a reliable source of food and income, enabling participating families to rebuild their lives with dignity. Parents are now able to provide regular meals for their households and cover essential expenses, including school fees, allowing their children to return to and remain in school.

The project demonstrates how practical skills development, access to productive assets, and community-based support can help vulnerable families adapt to climate-related challenges and establish resilient, sustainable livelihoods. It reflects Kaalo Nederland’s commitment to creating lasting economic opportunities for communities affected by climate change and displacement.