Who We Are
Integrated Services for Displaced Populations (ISDP) is a women-led non-profit humanitarian and development organization established in 2010 in Puntland State, Somalia. Founded by professionals from diverse backgrounds, ISDP has evolved into a dynamic organization guided by experienced leadership and a strong commitment to inclusivity.
Led by a female Executive Director (ED), ISDP’s governance and operations reflect its dedication to gender equality and empowering women at all levels of decision-making. With 55% of its staff being women, ISDP ensures that its programs are informed by women’s perspectives, promote women’s empowerment, and prioritize inclusive, community-based solutions.
As a humanitarian organization, ISDP is dedicated to amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations particularly women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and children. The organization ensures their meaningful participation in project planning, implementation, and decision-making processes.
ISDP adheres to global humanitarian principles and standards, including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), the Sphere Standards, and Somalia’s national Humanitarian and Development Coordination Guidelines. Through these frameworks, ISDP upholds accountability to affected populations, promotes protection mainstreaming, and ensures that interventions are ethical, context-appropriate, and rights-based. Our mission is to support crisis-affected communities to recover from shocks, rebuild their livelihoods, and strengthen resilience for sustainable development.
ISDP’s success is anchored in strong governance, a skilled and committed team, effective risk management, and evidence-based programming. The organization maintains a steadfast commitment to quality programming, integrating robust monitoring, learning, and evaluation systems to improve performance and impact.
Vision
A society with improved living conditions and equal opportunities for all poverty, injustice and all forms of violence against women girls are eliminated.
Mission
Committed to improving living conditions and advancing gender equality in partnership with communities to build sustainable, healthy, and productive communities in Somalia, free from violence and discrimination against women and girls.
Core values
Accountability and Transparency: We uphold the highest standards of responsibility and openness in all our actions and decisions. ISDP believes that trust is built through honesty, ethical conduct, and the willingness to be answerable to the communities we serve, our partners, and donors.
Respect: We recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. By listening actively and engaging communities as equal partners, we ensure that our interventions are inclusive, locally relevant, and driven by the priorities of those most affected.
Innovation: We embrace learning and creativity as tools for transformation. ISDP continuously seeks out innovative, context-appropriate, and evidence-based solutions to address poverty, improve service delivery, and strengthen community resilience across Somalia.
Quality and Excellence: We are dedicated to achieving the highest standards in program design, delivery, and accountability. Our pursuit of excellence ensures that every intervention delivers meaningful impact, value for resources, and sustainable results.
Advocacy and Empowerment: We stand with the poor and powerless, working to amplify their voices and ensure their rights and needs are reflected in policies and decisions that shape their lives.
Non-Partisanship and Equity: We are impartial and fair in all our operations, delivering services equitably to all in need regardless of gender, clan, ethnicity, or political affiliation. We are committed to inclusion and fairness in every aspect of our work.
Teamwork and Integrity: We believe that lasting change is built through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment. Our faith is in teamwork, honesty, consistency, and fairness to all stakeholders and beneficiaries we serve.
Our Partners
ISDP works through strong and collaborative partnerships with government institutions, humanitarian agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure effective and sustainable service delivery. We coordinate closely with key line ministries of the Puntland State Government, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Women Development & Family Affairs. At the national level, we align our work with government frameworks and development priorities to support long-term resilience and social wellbeing.
We are proud to partner with leading international and humanitarian organizations and UN agencies, including UNICEF, WFP, Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF), Diakonia, and Médecins du Monde (MDM) France, among others. These partnerships strengthen our capacity to deliver high-quality health, nutrition, protection, education, and community development interventions.
Our effectiveness is rooted in the strong participation of the communities we serve. By engaging local leaders, volunteers, and community networks across Puntland, we ensure that our programs are context-appropriate, inclusive, and responsive to the real needs of vulnerable populations.
Headquarters and Field Operations
ISDP’s Head Office is located in Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia, with regional branches and field sub-offices established across key locations to support program implementation and monitoring. This network allows us to maintain close proximity to communities, strengthen coordination with local authorities, and respond swiftly to emerging humanitarian and development needs.
ISDP is equipped and ready to operate across all regions of Somalia, ensuring scalable, timely, and well-coordinated program delivery in both stable and hard-to-reach areas.
Strategic Objectives
ISDP’s overarching objective is to improve the living conditions of vulnerable and crisis-affected populations across Somalia by working collaboratively with key stakeholders and host communities to build self-reliant, healthy, and productive societies. The organization seeks to empower communities, strengthen local systems, and promote inclusive development that aligns
with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To achieve this mission, ISDP implements integrated, multi-sectoral interventions across the following thematic areas: Health and Nutrition; Peacebuilding, Governance, and Social Cohesion; Livelihoods and Resilience; Youth Empowerment; Education; Shelter; Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Protection; and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). These thematic areas
collectively address the root causes of vulnerability, enhance community resilience, and contribute to long-term stability and development.
Specific Objectives
- Increase access to quality reproductive, maternal, child health, and nutrition services for vulnerable populations, with a strong focus on women and children.
- Strengthen community resilience and adaptive capacity through livelihood diversification, asset-building, and climate-smart solutions that reduce dependency and vulnerability to shocks.
- Expand access to safe and sustainable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services for displaced populations and host communities.
- Facilitate access to inclusive, equitable, and quality education by creating safe, gender-sensitive, and conducive learning environments.
- Promote youth empowerment through vocational skills training, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities to foster self-reliance and reduce poverty.
- Advance peacebuilding, governance, and social cohesion by strengthening local institutions, promoting dialogue, and enhancing community participation in decision-making processes.
- Promote gender equality and the rights of women and girls by addressing gender-based violence (GBV), female genital mutilation (FGM), and harmful social norms.
- Enhance protection systems by providing timely response services, including case management, psychosocial support, and referrals for survivors of abuse and violence.
- Support durable solutions through the provision of shelter assistance and community-driven recovery interventions that promote safety, dignity, and resilience.
Thematic areas
Governance
ISDP upholds strong governance and operational systems to ensure accountability, transparency, and institutional integrity in all its activities. The organization has established clear reporting lines, internal controls, and a comprehensive risk management framework to strengthen compliance, enable effective audits, and ensure timely information sharing. These measures reinforce ISDP’s commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and operational excellence in line with national and international best practices.
ISDP operates under a structured governance system comprising a Board of Directors and an Executive Management Team. The Board of Directors serves as the highest decision-making body, providing strategic oversight, policy direction, and performance monitoring. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the head of the organization and leads the Executive Management Team, overseeing all programs and operations in alignment with the Board’s directives. Under the CEO, the Programme Manager ensures technical and operational coordination across all projects, promoting quality assurance, efficiency, and adherence to donor and national standards.
ISDP’s Support Services Department, consisting of Human Resources, Finance, and Logistics and Procurement units, plays a vital role in maintaining organizational efficiency and accountability. These departments support effective budgeting, compliance, staff development, procurement, and logistics, ensuring smooth program delivery. The five-member Board of Directors brings diverse expertise in governance, finance, humanitarian response, and development management, ensuring that ISDP’s governance remains evidence-based, transparent, and responsive to community needs.
Organogram
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees serves as the highest governing body of ISDP, providing strategic oversight, policy guidance, and organizational leadership. The Board plays a key role in shaping ISDP’s long-term vision, ensuring accountability, and supporting resource mobilization to sustain and expand our impact.
The Board is composed of five (5) distinguished professionals with extensive experience in humanitarian action, public administration, community development, and financial oversight. Their collective expertise ensures strong governance, informed decision-making, and continuous organizational growth.
The board consists of: -
| No | Name | Position |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Mohamed Mohamud Ahmed |
Board of Director/Chairman |
|
2 |
Hersi Burhan Elmi |
Vice Chairperson |
|
3 |
Fahad Ahmed Abdi |
Secretary |
|
4 |
Mohamed Hibo Haji |
Treasurer |
|
5 |
Amina Ibrahim Saed |
Member |
Our Recent Projects
| Name of the Project | Duration | Location | Funded |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Support scale-up of preventative and
curative nutrition services for
Children and women in Puntland |
2023 to Dec-2025 |
Bosaso district |
UNICEF |
|
Integrated relief, food security, and
nutrition programming |
April 2025-
October 2025 |
Bosaso, Qardho,
Iskushuban and
Qandala |
WFP |
|
HIV prevention and case management in
Puntland state of Somalia |
April 21, 2024 –
Dec. 31, 2027 |
Bosaso, Garoowe,
Qardho,Galkio and
Badhan districts
|
UNICEF |
|
Integrated PD on Malaria-Towards an
Accelerated and Coordinated path to
National Elimination (Malaria BCC & HIV
prevention and case management. |
2021 to 2023 |
Bari, Mudug and
Nugaal regions |
Global fund via
UNICEF |
|
Integrated Emergency Health and
Nutrition Services for Vulnerable Population
Groups in Qandala District of Bari Region in
Puntland Somalia |
April 2022 to
March 2023 |
Qandala district |
SHF |
|
TSFP/MCHN nutrition program
|
2021 to March 2025 |
Bosaso and Qandala,
Iskushuban and
Qardho district |
WFP |
|
Bosaso and Qandala,
Iskushuban and
Qardho district |
Oct 2023 to Jan2024 |
Bosaso |
UNICEF |
|
Provision of Integrated Health and
Nutrition programme (IHNP) services in
Bosaso district in Bari region. |
Jan 2020 to
October
dec2022 |
Bossaso district |
UNICEF |
|
Delivery of Quality Mother and child
Health services for IDPs and vulnerable
urban population in Puntland |
January 2017- to
May 2019
|
Bosasso District |
MDM |
|
Livelihood project |
January 2021 to
Dec-2022 |
Bosasso district |
WFP |
|
Strengthening Malaria Control and Health
Systems (Malaria BCC) PD/NEZ/2015/2002 |
December 2015
to 2020 |
Bari, Karkar Gardafu,
Nugal and Mudug |
UNICEF |
|
Nutrition Program MCHN, BSFP/TSFP |
January 2017 to
2019 |
Bosasso and Armo |
WFP |
|
Essential Package health services project
in Bosaso region, Puntland |
March 2015 to
Feb 2016 |
Bosasso |
MDM |
|
Nutrition Project therapeutic
supplementary food program FLA Number
CP/ISDP/107/TSFP/2013 |
January 2015 Up
to June 2017 |
Aluula district in Bari
region |
WFP |
Our Partners
| Category | Partners and Collaborations |
|---|---|
|
Government
Institutions |
ISDP maintains robust institutional partnerships with key line ministries and government agencies,
including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Development and
Family Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Interior of the
Puntland State Government. Coordination with these ministries ensures that all interventions are
implemented in accordance with nationally endorsed guidelines, technical protocols, and
quality assurance frameworks, thereby promoting consistency, accountability, and sustainability
across sectors. ISDP also works closely with local municipalities across all districts of Puntland to
strengthen coordination, enhance service delivery, and promote locally led implementation
approaches. All programming is further aligned with sectoral policies and frameworks issued by
line ministries and reflects the Puntland State Government’s commitment to the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), national development priorities, and internationally recognized
humanitarian and development standards |
|
International and
National
Organizations |
ISDP collaborates with a range of international and national organizations, including the Somalia
Humanitarian Fund (SHF), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), as well as other local and
international NGOs serving as donors and implementing partners. These collaborations are
strengthened through cluster coordination platforms, Area-Based Coordination (ABC)
mechanisms, the Puntland Non-State Actors Association (PUNSAA), and other established
coordination frameworks that promote alignment with national and humanitarian priorities. |
|
Community and
Local Partnerships |
ISDP’s success is deeply rooted in community engagement. The organization works closely with
local communities, recognizing their central role in program effectiveness and sustainability.
Local partnerships extend to community-based organizations (CBOs), the Puntland Non-State
Actors Association (PUNSAA), youth groups, private sector actors such as Camper House, and
educational institutions including universities and colleges throughout Puntland. |