Editor's Note: In the past two decades, more than a million people have been forced to flee the fierce fighting and chronic drought in Somalia. In this series of interviews, Somalis displaced in their country speak candidly of the daily challenges they face in the camps they now call home.

At just 34 years of age, Safia Abdikheir has already been displaced four times within Mogadishu in as many years.

Having first been forced by the famine to leave her home in 2011, she and her children have lived in precarious conditions ever since. Currently, they live in the Halgan camp.

The worst drought in the region in 60 years led to the death of herds, affected crops, and caused jobs and household incomes to dwindle. Food prices rose dramatically and ongoing conflict prevented the delivery of humanitarian assistance, leaving families without food, medicines, shelter, and other essentials.

When Safia's family lived in Bas-Chebili, they relied on agriculture, but when the drought hit, resources became scarce. She was told help was available in Mogadishu, so Safia and her family headed for the capital.

"Yes, we can say that we have received humanitarian aid, but it is not a long-term solution,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the ongoing fighting, we would have gone home.”

Safia walks over ten miles a day to work in Mogadishu, where her job as a housekeeper brings in less than a dollar a day—just enough to make ends meet and support her children as best as she can. Her husband earns half that amount hauling items in a wheelbarrow, overwhelmed by competition from tuk tuks and other transport that can carry both passengers and luggage.

Action Against Hunger has been present in Somalia for over 20 years, treating malnourished children and helping displaced families earn a better living. Safia is registered at our outpatient therapeutic center, which supports more than 100 women and malnourished children. She also benefits from our mother-to-mother support groups. Safia is breastfeeding her youngest daughter, who was just 14 days old when we met her.

“We have received good training on how to breastfeed children,” she said, “But I am unable to buy vegetables that are important [for my own diet] when breastfeeding.”

Before fleeing to Mogadishu, her family had been preparing to sow wheat seeds, corn, and beans on their land. If Safia returned home to Qoryooley, in southern Somalia, she believes she could improve the standard of living for her family. But, because of the ongoing military tension in towns and the fear of reprisals, she cannot go back.

"We need peace to return to Somalia,” Safia said. “If the country is at peace, we can go and work.”