A community-centered humanitarian and development organization established in 1993 to support vulnerable communities across Somalia.
Somali Welfare Society (SWS) is a non-profit, non-governmental, community-centered organization operating in Somalia. It was established in response to the urgent social and humanitarian needs created by conflict, the collapse of public services, displacement, poverty, and limited access to essential services.
SWS works alongside communities to improve access to education, clean water and sanitation, health care, orphan care, humanitarian assistance, social welfare, and community development. Its work is guided by the dignity, safety, participation, and long-term wellbeing of vulnerable people.
SWS was established in 1993 by Somali intellectuals, development practitioners, and community members who recognized the need for organized local action during a period of severe institutional and social disruption.
From its beginnings as a community response organization, SWS has grown through decades of service supporting vulnerable children, families, and communities. Its experience includes orphanage care, school support, emergency relief, water programs, health assistance, capacity building, and sustainable community development.
SWS is non-political, non-governmental, non-profit, and action-oriented. Headquartered in Garowe, Puntland, the organization works through community relationships and institutional partnerships to address both immediate humanitarian needs and the underlying causes of vulnerability.
The organization serves vulnerable groups including children, women, internally displaced people, returnees, refugees, persons with disabilities, and families affected by poverty, drought, conflict, and limited access to basic services.
SWS combines humanitarian response with long-term development. Programs are designed with community participation, local ownership, inclusion, accountability, and sustainability at their center.
The organization promotes self-reliance by strengthening local capacity, supporting community-led solutions, coordinating with partners, and linking essential services with practical development opportunities. This integrated approach helps communities respond to urgent needs while building resilience for the future.
Communities in Somalia have full and equitable access to clean water, sanitation, health care, education, and socio-economic infrastructure, with special consideration for vulnerable groups.
SWS envisions a healthy, active, self-reliant, and empowered society free from discrimination, abuse, exploitation, and poverty, where sustainable development is locally initiated, owned, and managed.
To restore dignity, security, care, and hope to orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children through shelter, protection, education, health care, and daily support.
SWS protects the rights of children and vulnerable people while advancing community development, water and sanitation, humanitarian response, capacity building, environmental protection, and self-reliance.
We act honestly, responsibly, and consistently in service to communities.
We remain answerable to communities, partners, donors, and the responsibilities entrusted to us.
We promote clear decisions, open communication, and responsible use of resources.
We support solutions shaped, owned, and sustained by the communities they serve.
We respect diversity and work to ensure vulnerable people can participate and benefit equally.
We respond to hardship with dignity, empathy, care, and respect.
We collaborate with communities and institutions to achieve stronger, lasting results.
We strengthen local capacity and practical pathways toward resilient, independent communities.
SWS is guided by governance and management structures designed to support responsible leadership, ethical operations, clear oversight, and community accountability.
Provides strategic direction, institutional oversight, and stewardship of the organization’s mission.
Leads daily operations, program delivery, staff coordination, partnerships, and organizational development.
Policies, controls, reporting processes, and feedback channels support responsible decisions and performance.
Leadership and staff are expected to uphold integrity, safeguarding, fairness, and responsible resource management.