WHO WE ARE

INTRODUCTION

AL-RAHMA CHARITY ASSOCIATION

For generations, communities in Somalia have endured the dual burden of poverty and
environmental degradation. From the colonial era to the present, the people have not only been
victims of conflict and displacement but also witnesses to the depletion of their natural resources.
Ignorance, disease, and poverty have devastated livelihoods, while unsustainable practices have
worsened food insecurity and waste accumulation.

10+

YEARS OF CARE

Somalia’s most populated regions rely on farming, fishing, and livestock. Despite possessing some of the country’s most fertile land, over 75% of approximately 5 million people now live below the poverty line. Many have been displaced, in the margins of Mogadishu, stripped of their dignity and their connection to the land.
In response to this humanitarian and environmental crisis, a group of indigenous, forward-thinking youth established Al-Rahma Charity Association (ACA) in 2016. Their vision was not merely to provide aid, but to build a regenerative model for community development.

They recognized that waste is not an end, but a beginning, and that the path to recovery lies in transforming discarded resources into assets for education, health, and income generation.
Today, ACA is a pioneer in applying Zero Waste principles to humanitarian action. We believe that a hand that gives, a hand that grows, and a hand that prays must also be a hand that protects the earth.
ACA operates on the conviction that there is no such thing as waste—only resources waiting for the right hands. Our programs are designed to close the loop on resource use, ensuring that every intervention contributes to a sustainable, prosperous, and dignified future for the Somali people.

Our Mission

ACA exists to activate the potential of Somalia’s people and resources. We implement circular solutions that fill the gaps in education and health while replacing violence and poverty with income generation, environmental restoration, and zero-waste development.

Our Core Values

Our core values focus on inclusion, integrity, accountability, and sustainability. We empower marginalized groups—especially women—promote transparency in our work, build community capacity, and follow environmentally responsible practices that protect people and the planet.

Our Vision

ACA envisions a Somalia where communities thrive in sustainable prosperity, where nothing is wasted, and where every individual has the opportunity to contribute to a regenerative future.