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WHO in Somalia
Balancing priorities in the midst of a drought: vaccination campaigns break measles transmission among children in Somalia and save lives
The measles immunization campaign vaccinated close to half a million children aged from 6 to 59 months to boost their immunity. Credit: WHO/Mukhtar Sudani10 August 2022 – In the Washington camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Garowe, Deka Abdi Dacar learnt about measles, known as jadeecoin Somali after her experience. She lost 2 of...
Germany donates US$ 4.6 million to WHO to close the equity gaps in COVID-19 and childhood immunizations
Alongside the government and partners, WHO supports COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible people. Photo credit: WHO SomaliaMogadishu, 4 August 2022 – The Government of Germany donated US$ 4.6 million to the WHO country office for Somalia in support of continued efforts to reach more people with COVID-19 and childhood vaccinations. Alongside the Federal...
Government of Somalia, UNICEF and WHO mark World Breastfeeding Week with a call to step up breastfeeding-friendly environments for mothers and babies
Only 34% of babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed, according to the Somali GovernmentMogadishu, 1 August 2022 – While marking World Breastfeeding Week this year, the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Federal Republic of Somalia, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) called for a...
Saving lives from cholera in drought-hit districts: WHO steps up vaccination campaign using oral cholera vaccines
Skilled health care workers explain the benefits of vaccination to communities living in camps for internally displaced persons before offering them life-saving vaccines. Credit: WHO/Ismael Taxta31 July 2022 – As a mother of 3 who is a full-time carer for her young children, when Nesteho falls ill, her household comes to a standstill. Earlier this...
“Our lives have changed; thanks to water that we now have in our camp”
Since it was rehabilitated on 16 June, over 19 500 people around the Salama borehole in North Galkayo can now access safe water again. Credit - WHO/Somalia24 July 2022 – For just over a month, from 7 May to 16 June 2022, Fatumo Yusuf Diriye spent 3 hours every day, walking to and from the nearest water source, 6 km away, to fetch water for her...
Health Cluster pivots cross-cluster collaboration for delivery of integrated service package among underserved communities
17 July 2022 – In 2021, Somalia barely had time to take its eye off the COVID-19 pandemic, when the ongoing severe drought crept up. As a result, many Somali communities, over 40% of whom are known to live rural and nomadic lifestyles, lost their livestock and crops. Health Cluster Coordinator for Somalia Ms Erna-Roelofje Christina Van Goor...
Turning hope into happiness: rehabilitating boreholes in a hard-to-reach area in Somalia shows promises of a happy life
Children and adults queuing to collect water from the newly rehabilitated Salama borehole, North Galkayo, Puntland, 2 July 2022. Credit: WHO Somalia6 July 2022 – Water is a key prerequisite to safe hygiene and sanitation practices and — by that measure — good health and dignity. However, a large proportion of the Somali population has limited...
Protecting children from measles in drought-affected Somalia
27 June 2022 – When young Nastexo and Salmo developed high fevers, coughs, sore throats, runny noses and watery eyes, Ilmo may not have known exactly what problem her children had, but their rashes gave it away. Ilmo, who lives in a drought-affected location in Baidoa, knew her children had measles as she had seen many cases recently and had...
WHO and Ministry of Health build on innovation to create climate-resilient environmentally friendly health systems
The high-level mission views the solar-powered medical oxygen plant in Dhushamareb, Somalia in June 2022. Photo credit: WHO Somalia. Mogadishu, 26 June 2022– From 13 to 17 June 2022, the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization (WHO) country office for Somalia hosted a technical mission from WHO headquarters and...
Building back better to boost childhood immunization, in the midst of a severe drought
A skilled health worker vaccinates a child at a camp for the internally displaced persons in Kismayo. Credit : WHO Somalia/Arete 20 June 2022 – The promise of primary health care, and one of the main premises of universal health coverage is to promote good health for everyone, everywhere, including during dire health emergencies. In Somalia, the...
