On 28th July 2026, Empowering Communities Organization conducted a second community mobilization and engagement activity at the Beder IDP camp community center in Kismayo. The activity focused on hygiene promotion and protection sensitization and awareness, reaching a total of 56 participants comprising 41 women, 12 girls and 3 men. The Beder camp is predominantly inhabited by the Somali Bantu community, a minority group that has historically faced marginalization and discrimination.

The activity was implemented through ECO’s own initiative without formal funding. During the session, the organization utilized the Somalia Common Key Messages for Flooding developed by the Community Engagement and Accountability Task Force in coordination with SoDMA and various humanitarian clusters. These messages were disseminated in Maay and Maxaatiri to ensure full accessibility for the Somali Bantu community, many of whom primarily speak Maay dialect.

The session provided a platform for the community to discuss their protection concerns and the specific vulnerabilities facing the Somali Bantu population in the displacement context.