Bringing health care closer to displaced communities in Somalia
At the center of Adalada camp, west of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, 49-year-old Hawa Sharif Ali found a vital lifeline to his family’s medical needs. Like thousands of other internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the camp, she relies on health services at the Sinkadir health center in Galas Barre district.
The mother of six supported her family by doing laundry in nearby communities, including Galasbally. For Hawa, life has been a constant struggle, made even more difficult by the drought the country experienced in 2022/23 – one of the worst in its history. Displacement, the struggle to make ends meet and the responsibilities of caring for her children all weighed heavily on her.
Despite her struggles, she took pride in running her home and ensuring the well-being of her children. Facing these challenges, she found hope and support at the Wellness Center.
In December 2024, Hawa took her youngest son, Abdulrahman Mohamed, who was two years and eight months old, to receive the last dose of measles vaccine provided under the Expanded Program on Immunization.
“I prioritize my child’s health. Every time I give birth, I bring my child here,” Hawa explained.
“We don’t have money to go to a private hospital, but we can go to this centre. Today, my son received the measles vaccine and completed his immunizations. I also completed the routine immunizations of other children and I am very happy.”
Healthcare organizations supported by ECHO change lives
At the height of the drought in 2023, donors such as the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation (ECHO) responded quickly to increase funding to combat severe acute malnutrition and prevent and respond to disease outbreaks, including vaccine-preventable diseases. Save lives. Diseases such as measles. Through this funding, along with other donors, WHO is not only able to meet the urgent needs of people like Hawa and their families, but also strengthens local health clinics so that they can continue to meet the future needs of their communities.
In addition to routine immunizations, Sinkadheer Health Center provides a range of other health services under a comprehensive health and nutrition program, providing life-saving care to families like Hawa who struggle to afford healthcare.
The program, funded by ECHO, the German Federal Foreign Office and other agencies, continues to transform the lives of Somali mothers and children, ensuring health and hope amid the challenges of displacement.
The medical center serves as a humanitarian center every day, serving approximately 200 patients, the majority of whom come from nearby internally displaced persons communities. They seek not only general health services but also critical support for nutrition and prevention of malnutrition.
For mothers, children and other vulnerable people, the center is an important source of support for the health and well-being of their families.
“Most of the people we serve here are mothers and children from nearby internally displaced persons communities,” said Mukhtar Derow Luqmaan, director of the Sinkadheer Health Center.
“(They) rely on the comprehensive medical services we provide. Every day, approximately 200 patients walk through our doors seeking care, nutritional support and prevention of malnutrition. For them, this center is a lifeline.”
Somalia Health Partnership
Working with partners, WHO Somalia continues to support health care centers to deliver a wide range of care and address the unique health challenges faced by displaced families. The aim is to bring practical health solutions closer to communities, ensuring no one is left behind.
“With the unwavering support of humanitarian donors like ECHO, WHO was able to quickly deliver life-saving medical services to drought-affected communities in Somalia, giving vulnerable children and families a fighting chance. Now, the emergency has In the past, we are continuing to strengthen the resilience of health systems to meet the urgent needs of communities and be better equipped to withstand the next emergency. Together, we are building a healthier and stronger future for every Somali family.” WHO said Dr. Renee Van de Weerdt, the organization’s representative in Somalia.
These humanitarian efforts, made possible by the generosity of ECHO and other partners, provide more than just medical care, providing hope and new possibilities. Through this support, WHO and its partners are not only responding to emergencies, but also nurturing Somalia’s future by giving children the opportunity to grow healthy and strong, and mothers the opportunity to care for their families with dignity. This collective work in Somalia is testament to the power of compassion and the difference it can make in the lives of those facing the greatest challenges.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.