YIRDO delivers emergency relief, protection, education, health, and WASH programs across Somalia — designed with the community, for the community.
YIRDO began in 2012 as a group of young people trained by CISP in theatre-of-the-oppressed techniques to raise awareness on gender-based violence, child labour, and girls' education. In 2014 that group became Theatre of Oppressed Somalia (TOPS).
In 2020, in response to our partners, donors, and communities, we broadened our focus and became YIRDO — Youth Initiatives for Relief and Development — to deliver emergency relief, education, health, protection, and sustainable livelihood programs to Somalia's most at-risk communities.
Community-driven programs designed with the people we serve, for the people we serve.
Clean water, sanitation and hygiene promotion for displaced and underserved communities.
🚨Fast, life-saving assistance for families affected by conflict, drought, and displacement.
🛡️Child protection and gender-based violence prevention through community dialogue.
🏥Improving access to health care and nutrition support for women, children, and families.
📚Girls' education and school enrollment campaigns that keep children learning.
🎭Our founding method: using image, forum, and playback theatre to transform community norms.
We believe change starts when people step forward and take part in their own community's recovery.
Every program is carried out by people who genuinely care about the communities they serve.
Programs are community-driven, developed with community input, and implemented together with the people we serve.
We listen first — to the most vulnerable, including women, children, IDPs, and people with disabilities.
Your support funds emergency relief, education, and protection programs for Somalia's most vulnerable families.
Join community dialogue sessions, volunteer, or partner with our program teams on the ground.
Learn MoreYour support funds emergency relief, education, and protection programs for vulnerable families.
Learn More
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Watch YIRDO's Theatre of the Oppressed team lead a forum theatre session on gender-based violence awareness.
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A look at how YIRDO delivers clean water and hygiene promotion to displaced communities in Mogadishu.
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Families and students share why school enrollment matters in this YIRDO education program video.
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A playback theatre performance where community-submitted stories on child protection come to life on stage.
