How a Somali woman is empowering displaced communities in Cairo, Egypt

November 9, 2025

The SAFWAC Foundation, established in 2011 in Cairo, Egypt, is an NGO dedicated to supporting displaced communities and refugees, with a primary focus on Somalis but extending services to refugees from across the region. Executive Director Salma Osman Abdi, who co-founded the organization and was appointed to her current role in late 2022, leads efforts to provide holistic support through five key program areas including education, psychosocial and legal protection, cultural services, creative spaces, and volunteer preparation. The foundation became officially registered with Egyptian authorities in 2022 and has since expanded operations to Mogadishu, Somalia, where it focuses on promoting literacy and cultural engagement.

Who is affected

Somali refugees in Egypt
Women, children, youth, and elderly in displaced communities
Refugees from Yemen, Palestine, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Iraq, and Syria
Communities in Mogadishu, Somalia
Volunteers working with SAFWAC Foundation

What action is being taken

SAFWAC provides education and awareness training programs
The organization offers psychosocial counseling and legal aid services
SAFWAC delivers cultural and literary services to preserve identity and support integration
The foundation provides creative spaces for self-expression and community bonding
SAFWAC prepares and equips volunteers for community service
The organization operates programs in both Cairo, Egypt and Mogadishu, Somalia

Why it matters

SAFWAC addresses critical gaps faced by displaced populations who experience isolation, limited access to resources, cultural barriers, and legal challenges that make life unbearable. The organization's holistic approach tackles both immediate needs like legal support while promoting long-term empowerment, helping vulnerable populations live with dignity and exercise their rights. The foundation's inclusive model demonstrates that vulnerability transcends nationality, creating a united approach that has positively impacted thousands directly and indirectly, earning exemplary status among refugee communities in Egypt.

What's next

SAFWAC plans to expand its programs
The organization aims to reach more people
The Mogadishu branch, still in its infancy, represents an ongoing expansion effort
SAFWAC welcomes collaboration through volunteering, partnerships, or donations from interested supporters

Read full article from source: Global Voices