Somali-led · Child-centred · Rights-based

A Somalia where every child lives in safety and dignity

ACCOS is a Somali-led organisation delivering lifesaving and life-sustaining support to children and families in the Southwest State of Somalia.

Child ProtectionEducationNutritionWASHLivelihoodsSouthwest State of SomaliaMogadishu

Somali-led · Child-centred · Rights-based

Protecting children.Transforming lives.Building futures.

Action for Children's Concern in Somalia (ACCOS) delivers lifesaving and life-sustaining support to children and families in the Southwest State of Somalia, one of the most underserved and conflict-affected regions of the country.

Soo dhawoow · Welcome · أهلاً وسهلاً

Somali-ledRooted in the communities we serve

Who we are

A Somali organisation, rooted in the communities it serves

ACCOS is a Somali-led, non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities across Somalia.

We were established in response to the acute and chronic humanitarian needs facing Somali children. Our programming is rights-based and child-centred, and it places the dignity, safety and wellbeing of children at the heart of everything we do.

Read our full profile (opens in a new window)

Our vision

A Somalia where every child lives in safety, dignity, and opportunity, free from violence, exploitation, and deprivation.

Our mission

To deliver high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable humanitarian and development interventions that protect and promote the rights, health, and wellbeing of children and communities across Somalia, with particular focus on the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.

Core values

What guides every decision we make

Child-centredness

Every decision, programme and action prioritises the best interests of the child.

Accountability

We are transparent and accountable to the children, communities and partners we serve.

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, honesty and professionalism.

Inclusion

Our programmes reach the most marginalised, leaving no child behind.

Localisation

We build and strengthen local systems, capacities and leadership.

Collaboration

We work with communities, government and other stakeholders to maximise impact.

Programmes & sectors

Five sectors, one focus: the child

Our work is integrated across sectors, because a child's safety, learning, nutrition and health are connected, and so is the economic security of the household they live in.

Protection

Child Protection

Preventing and responding to all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect of children.

  • Case management
  • Psychosocial support
  • Community-based mechanisms
  • Awareness on harmful practices
Read more (opens in a new window)
Education

Education in Emergencies

Keeping children learning through conflict and displacement, in spaces that are safe and inclusive.

  • Temporary learning spaces
  • Learning materials
  • Teacher training
Read more (opens in a new window)
Nutrition

Nutrition

Tackling acute and chronic malnutrition among children under five and pregnant and lactating women.

  • CMAM
  • Nutrition counselling
  • Integrated health & WASH
Read more (opens in a new window)
WASH

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

Safe water and adequate sanitation are a fundamental right. We work in schools, health facilities and communities, with child-friendly hygiene promotion and prevention of water-borne diseases.

  • Schools
  • Health facilities
  • Communities
  • Hygiene promotion
Read more (opens in a new window)
Food Security

Livelihoods & Community Resilience

Household poverty is a key driver of child vulnerability. We strengthen the economic resilience of families, particularly female-headed households.

  • Skills training
  • Income-generating activities
  • Social protection linkages
Read more (opens in a new window)

Strategic objectives

Four objectives shape our programmes and our growth

Respond

Deliver lifesaving humanitarian assistance to children and families affected by conflict, drought, displacement and disease outbreaks in Somalia.

Protect

Strengthen child protection systems to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect affecting children.

Improve access

Improve access to quality education, nutrition and health services for children in underserved communities.

Build capacity

Build the capacity of local communities, community-based organisations and government structures to sustain child-focused programmes.

Where we work

Where needs are greatest and few others reach

Primary

Southwest State of Somalia

Our main focus, given the severity of humanitarian needs, high internal displacement, and the limited presence of national and international actors in remote and rural areas.

Secondary

Mogadishu, Banaadir Region

Home to our head office and programmes in the capital.

Expanding

Other Federal Member States

As operational needs and partnerships grow.

Who we serve

Those most at risk of being left behind

  • Children aged 0–18, with particular emphasis on children under five
  • Girls and adolescent females at risk of gender-based violence and harmful practices
  • Internally displaced people, including children separated from their families
  • Children with disabilities and other marginalised groups
  • Pregnant and lactating women
  • Female-headed households and caregivers of vulnerable children
  • Out-of-school children and youth

Latest from ACCOS

News & updates

Welcome to the new ACCOS website

Our new website brings together our programmes, where we work and how to partner with us. We will share updates from the Southwest State and Mogadishu here.

Read more (opens in a new window)

Partnerships & coordination

We work alongside government, the UN system and civil society

GovernmentFederal Government of SomaliaGovernmentSouthwest State line ministriesUnited Nations agenciesUNICEFUnited Nations agenciesUNHCRUnited Nations agenciesWFPUnited Nations agenciesWHOUnited Nations agenciesOCHACluster coordinationABCCluster coordinationProtectionCluster coordinationEducationCluster coordinationNutritionCluster coordinationWASHCluster coordinationFood SecurityCivil society & communitiesInternational NGOsCivil society & communitiesLocal civil society organisationsCivil society & communitiesCommunity leaders & eldersCivil society & communitiesWomen's groups

Government

Federal Government of SomaliaSouthwest State line ministries

United Nations agencies

UNICEFUNHCRWFPWHOOCHA

Cluster coordination

ABCProtectionEducationNutritionWASHFood Security

Civil society & communities

International NGOsLocal civil society organisationsCommunity leaders & eldersWomen's groups

Organisational capacity

Systems that partners and communities can rely on

Our people

Qualified Somali professionals with expertise in humanitarian programming, child protection, health, nutrition, education, finance and administration. A lean, effective team with national and field staff embedded in the communities they serve.

Financial management

Sound practices in line with internationally recognised standards: transparent financial systems, regular internal audits, and adherence to donor compliance requirements.

MEAL

A robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning system tracks performance and quality. Community feedback mechanisms run through every programme cycle, so children and communities shape how we learn and adapt.

Safeguarding

Every child and vulnerable adult we work with must be safe

All ACCOS staff, volunteers and partners must follow our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which reflects international standards including the IASC Guidelines on Child Protection.

We operate clear reporting, investigation and response mechanisms so that safeguarding concerns are handled promptly and effectively.

Zero tolerancefor any form of exploitation, abuse or harassment.To raise a safeguarding concern, contact us at info@accossom.org.

Get in touch

Partner with ACCOS

We welcome conversations with donors, UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and anyone committed to the wellbeing of Somali children.

Fund or co-implement a programme

Work with us in Child Protection, Education, Nutrition, WASH or Livelihoods.

Coordinate in the field

Reach our Southwest State field team for joint assessments and response.

Join our team

Somali professionals interested in working or volunteering with us are welcome to get in touch.

Head office

Mogadishu, Federal Republic of Somalia

Field office

Southwest State of Somalia