Somalia Nutrition Project Proposals: SHF Guidance & Best Practices
The Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) has issued latest guidance for organizations seeking funding for nutrition projects, aiming to improve the effectiveness of aid delivery in a country facing a protracted humanitarian crisis. The guidance, released on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, outlines a framework for developing “high-quality, evidence-based” proposals aligned with national guidelines and international standards.
Somalia continues to grapple with a complex emergency fueled by ongoing conflict, insecurity, recurring droughts and floods and outbreaks of disease, all of which have severely impacted public health and nutrition systems. High rates of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) remain a significant concern throughout the country, according to the Nutrition Cluster guidance. The SHF, established in 2010, serves as a critical funding mechanism to address these urgent needs.
The new guidance emphasizes the importance of designing projects that are cost-effective, relevant to the local context, and adhere to SMART criteria – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Proposals will be evaluated on their demonstration of “value for money” and their contribution to a coordinated and accountable humanitarian response. The Nutrition Cluster, which supports the SHF, will prioritize funding for projects that are evidence-based and needs-driven, and aligned with the Prevention of Post-Distribution Aid Diversion (PDAD) framework.
The SHF operates as a multi-donor, country-based pooled fund, allowing governments and private donors to contribute to a common fund for life-saving assistance. Since its inception, the SHF has received over $758 million from 26 donor countries and private donors, according to OCHA data. In 2023 alone, the fund received $71 million, representing 6 percent of the total funding for Somalia’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).
The guidance stresses the need for a transparent and rigorous project review process, requiring all eligible partners to fully adhere to the outlined standards. SHF-funded projects are intended to not only save lives and protect dignity but also to strengthen the resilience of communities affected by the ongoing crisis. The fund supports a range of interventions across key sectors, including Food Security/Emergency Livelihoods, Health, Nutrition, and WASH, alongside specialized Protection services.
The Somalia Humanitarian Fund prioritizes projects implemented by international and national NGOs, as well as some UN agencies, through an inclusive process that aligns with the priorities set out in the Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan. The fund aims to provide an agile response in a volatile environment, ensuring resources are available for the most urgent life-saving activities. Recipient organizations undergo thorough assessments, and projects are subject to regular monitoring and reporting to ensure accountability and efficient resource utilization.