WHO Country Office in Somalia

 

News
 
9 March 2012

Scaling up of health services in Baidoa

 

From 3-5 March 2012, a WHO-led mission visited Baidoa town, Bay region. After the recent liberation of the area, the Baidoa hospital (managed by the NGO COOPI and supported by WHO) re-opened and was able to scale up the provision of health services.

Read more


25 February 2012

Increasing need for safe delivery in Somalia

From 23-25 February 2012, WHO and health partners conducted a training in Banadir hospital, Mogadishu, for 180 traditional birth attendants and 18 head nurses to improve early detection, or diagnosis of possible complications and referral of complicated cases on time. In addition, a second training was organized 26-28 February 2012 targeting 55 doctors to improve their skills in comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) services in case of complicated labor.
 

Read more


23 February 2012

First round of Child Health Days conducted in Somaliland

From 19-23 February 2012, WHO, UNICEF and partners implemented the first round of Child Health Day (CHDs) in the six regions of Somaliland. The target population includes over 413 000 children under the age of five and more than 475 000 women of childbearing age. Data of number reached is not yet available. The CHDs is a multiple child survival interventions package delivered to all children aged below five nationwide, that includes immunization, de-worming, nutrition, oral rehydration salts promotion, and malaria control with health education.


16 December 2011

Somalia’s Ocean Stars and Heegan Football Club kick off ‘Stamp out cholera!’ campaign in Mogadishu

Somali soccer players kicked off today the ‘Stamp out cholera’ campaign. A friendly soccer match between the Somali national team, also known as the Ocean stars, and Heegan FC will take place this afternoon at the University Football stadium.

The ‘Stamp out cholera!’ campaign aims at raising awareness on cholera and acute watery diarrhea among the Somali population. “As the Somali National soccer team, we are very honored to support this campaign. Cholera is a killer disease but can easily be prevented and save many lives,” says Ahmed Abdalla Moallim, captain of the Ocean Stars (Somali National team). “During our match, various cholera prevention messages such as hand washing and water chlorination will be announced to make sure that every Somali citizen understands what cholera is and how it can be prevented,” he added.

Press release

Campaign web site


27 September 2011

WHO opens much needed field hospital for emergency medical care at the Somali-Ethiopian border


©WHO

27 September, 2011 ¦ Nairobi – A new field hospital was installed last week in Dolow Somalia, nearby the Ethiopian border to provide medical aid to thousands of Somali refugees fleeing towards the border areas. The hospital will be operated and managed by WHO. The world health body is providing medical professionals to staff the facility as well as all the needed medical supplies and equipment.

The main reason for setting up a field hospital is part of WHO’s strategy to decentralize health care, especially in an emergency setting. Many internally displaced people are seeking health assistance and therefore flee to bigger cities, including Mogadishu. In order to stop some of the huge influx of IDPs to the Somali capital, the newly installed field hospital will treat patients mainly from the Gedo and Bakool regions. However, also people from the Ethiopian and Kenyan border areas might benefit from this newly established hospital.

Note for the Media

Media coverage: SABC Radio


18 August 2011

Waterborne diseases are lethal threat to children in southern Somalia
Rapid response needed as number of cholera cases increases

Nairobi, Kenya, 18 August 2011 - With an increased number of confirmed cholera cases in Mogadishu, and growing reports of acute watery diarrhoea in Kismayo and other crowded urban centres, an urgent multisectoral response to contain the spread of this highly contagious disease is being mounted.

The combination of poor sanitation conditions, a shortage of safe water, overcrowding and high malnutrition rates creates the perfect combination for infectious diseases, such as cholera and pneumonia, to spread and increase the number of deaths. About 75% of all cases of acute watery diarrhoea are children under the age of five.

Press release
Weekly WHO Somalia bulletin


6 August 2011

Emergency vaccination campaign on the Somali Kenyan border


WHO/Pieter Desloovere

The Horn of Africa is facing its worst drought in over 50 years; child malnutrition rates are already high and are expected to rise. Malnourished children are more prone to sicknesses and diseases, such as measles. To protect them WHO conducted a campaign to vaccinate 215 000 children and provide them with vitamin A supplements and deworming tablets.

More information

There is also a video clip on our Youtube channel


21 July 2011

The UN declares famine in Somalia


©Islamic Relief
 

The United Nations declared that famine exists in two regions of southern Somalia: southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle. Across the country, nearly half of the Somali population – 3.7 million people – are now in crisis, of whom an estimated 2.8 million people are in the south.

"The situation will worsen further in the coming months due to poor harvests, malnutrition, unhygienic living conditions and infectious disease outbreaks, such as measles, acute watery diarrhoea and pneumonia," says Marthe Everard, WHO’s Representative for Somalia. "In addition to buying food and supplying safe drinking-water and shelter, we need more resources to provide emergency health services to save the lives of thousands of Somalis."

Lack of safe drinking-water and overcrowding in refugee camps greatly increase the risk of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera outbreaks, as communities are forced to live in unhealthy living conditions and to use contaminated water sources. Mass emergency vaccination campaigns are essential to avoid major outbreaks of polio and measles, especially in South and Central Somalia. Children under five are particularly vulnerable.

Consecutive droughts have affected the country in the last few years while the ongoing conflict has made it extremely difficult for agencies to operate and access communities in the south of the country.

Read Press release English | Somali
 


31 May 2011

Latest violence in Mogadishu causes high toll of wounded children under the age of five
 

©SOYDA

The number of weapon-related casualties treated at the three main hospitals in Mogadishu, Somalia reached a new peak last week and the World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the escalation of injuries in children younger than five. Data shows that the main causes of death among children younger than five are burns, chest injuries and internal hemorrhage caused by blast injury, shrapnel and bullets. Therefore, special attention is required on how to treat those cases.
Of the 1590-reported weapon-related injuries in May alone, 735 cases or 46 per cent were children under the age of five, compared to only 3.5% in
April.

Read Press release

Media coverage: BBC, VOA, Reuters


20 March 2011

National Immunization Days keep Somalia polio-free


©WHO/Somalia

On the eve of celebrating four years without polio in Somalia, the country kicks off National Immunization Days on Sunday 20 March, with a focus on ensuring that no eligible child is left unvaccinated during the three days of the campaign. During 2011, two rounds of polio vaccinations are planned.

Read Press release

English
Somali


February 2011

Mental Health in Somalia A forgotten priority

The regular practice of chaining continues to compromise the dignity and human rights of people with mental disorders and hamper the quality of mental health services in Somalia. People suffering from mental disorders in Somalia continue to be stigmatized by their communities and are subjected to inhumane living conditions, lack basic needs including food, shelter and clothing and have their human rights withheld.

Conflict and civil unrest have adversely affected the mental heath of the Somali population. This is particularly the case in the worst- affected regions of central and southern Somalia with the prevalence of psychological trauma and stress generally reported to be most widespread.

WHO Somalia has produced a mental health situation analysis, to have a better understanding of the mental health services within the country.


Note for the Media

Listen to interview with WHO Somalia Representative (4 February- VOA)

Radio feature on Mental Illness in Somalia (22 February- Deutsche Welle)


Outbreak Response and Surveillance

 

February 2011
 

Scaling up awareness on outbreak investigation and response in Somalia

Communicable diseases are a major burden on maternal and child health and their outbreaks are a regular occurrence in Somalia. Poor access to health care, insecurity, malnutrition and lack of medical supplies contribute to the high risks of outbreaks. Regions in central and southern Somalia experience seasonal cholera transmission periods, accounting for over 80% of all acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases and communicable diseases burden in the country.

To be able to detect and respond to outbreaks when they occur, WHO and partners have and continue to train health workers especially from regions prone to outbreaks, to report the number of cases of disease that they treat in an accurate and timely manner, aimed to strengthening response activities.

Note for the Media
 




View videos of WHO Somalia now on YouTube

Reports



 

Annual Report 2010

Technical Publications
Child Health in Somalia NEW!

The mortality rate for Somali children under the age of five is currently estimated to 200 per 1,000 live births. The majority of these die during infancy, i.e. during their first year of life. Infant mortality is according to corresponding estimates 119 per 1000 live births.

The Child Health in Somalia: Situation Assessment (WHO, 2011) established that the main causes for under-five mortality in Somalia are pneumonia, diarrhoea, and different neonatal conditions. Malnutrition is believed to be a major underlying factor for the fatal outcome of many of these cases. Reliable data on child mortality are scarce, but in line with figures from other developing countries it can be estimated that pneumonia, diarrhea, and neonatal conditions contribute with 20-30 per cent each to the mortality burden of children under five.

The Somali Child Health Strategy document for the management of child health issues in Somalia is largely based on the needs and gaps identified in the situation assessment. It aims to define a prioritized plan for action to improve the health and survival of the Somali children.
 

 


Environmental Health Situation Analysis in Somalia 2010

 

Somali Nutrition Strategy

Nutrition in Emergencies
Publications and Tools


Country Cooperation Strategy for WHO and Somalia 2010-2014

At a glance

 



Mental Health in Somalia

A Situation Analysis




 

 



Reproductive Health
National Strategy & Action Plan

2010-2015

Somalia Standard Treatment Guidelines and Training Manual



English

 

 

Storage of Essential Medicines and other Health Commodities

Somali


Integrating gender perspectives in the work of WHO

WHO Gender Policy


Events

24-30 April

2012 VACCINATION WEEK in the Eastern Mediterranean 

Reaching every community

'Vaccination...the obvious choice'


 

Promotional messages

I am vaccinated, are you?
I vaccinated my child, did you?
Reach. Involve. Protect. (every community)

 

Key facts
Immunization saves lives – preventing between 2 and 3 million deaths every year in all age groups.
Between 1.5 and 1.8 million infants in the Region did not receive the basic vaccine against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis in 2010.
Vaccination Week is an opportunity to increase awareness and vaccine utilization, mobilize political commitment and resources, and expand immunization services to the most marginalized and difficult-to-reach populations.
 

Follow events on Facebook

 


25 April

WORLD MALARIA DAY

'Achieving Progress and Impact'


Posters (English) (Somali)


7 April  2012

 

Good health
adds life to years
WORLD HEALTH DAY 2012

 


This year, the theme of World Health Day is "Ageing and Health".
 


24 March  2012

WORLD TB DAY 2012
Stop TB in my lifetime

The World TB Day Campaign 2012 will allow people all over the world to make an individual call to stop TB in their lifetimes.
 

World Mental Health Day

10 October 2011


© Robin Hammond/Panos

It is estimated that in war-tom Somalia, with a population of 8 million people, one person out of three has been affected by some kind of mental illness. Yet in the entire country there are only three psychiatrists working in mental health facilities.
Mental health care in Somalia often relies on placing people in jails or hospitals, where they are regularly chained to the wall or walk around with shackles. Conditions in many of these settings are deplorable. They violate an individual's right to be treated humanely and live a life of dignity. The mentally ill in these jails and hospitals are forced to live a life of incarceration.

More information on Mental Health in Somalia: A Situation Analysis

This year the theme for the day is "Investing in mental health". The financial and human resources allocated for mental health are inadequate especially in countries in emergency like Somalia. The Saudi Government has recognized the mental health situation in Somalia. The funding provided through the World Health Organization by King Abdulla has a component for mental health. It aims to increase investment for mental health and to shift the available resources towards more effective care and support services.

More about World Mental Health Day 2011

A photo exhibition “CONDEMNED” on mental health in Somalia.


16 August 2011

World Humanitarian Day of 19 August

WHO/Pieter Desloovere

World Humanitarian Day is a celebration of people helping people. Every day humanitarian aid workers help millions of people around the world. The day recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of those who risk their lives to give others help and hope. It is also about inspiring the spirit of aid work in everyone.

Last year World Humanitarian Day featured a film shot across 43 countries. It showcased the enormous diversity of places, faces and endeavours of humanitarian aid workers. This year, we re-visit five humanitarian workers to take a closer, more personal look at what drives them in their commitment to improve the lives of others. One of them is WHO Somalia trauma surgeon Dr. Omar Saleh, who explains his passion - saving lives in Somalia.

Dr Omar talks about saving lives in Somalia

More about World Humanitarian Day 2011
 


24-30 April

'Partnership for immunization'

Posters (English) (Somali)

Radio spots
(English) (Somali)
(English) (Somali)
(English) (Somali)
(English) (Somali)


25 April 2011

WORLD MALARIA DAY

'Achieving Progress and Impact'


Posters (English) (Somali)


7 April 2011

World Health Day 2011 web button

WORLD HEALTH DAY 2011

Antimicrobial resistance: no action today, no cure tomorrow

Regional Director's message

Brochure

Questions and Answers


Radio spots
Do not be your own doctor (English) (Somali)
How do you store medicines? (English) (Somali)
How to use medicines sensibly (English) (Somali)

Posters (English) (Somali)

Presentation


24 March 2011

ON THE MOVE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

Transforming the fight towards elimination


8 March 2011

 

The theme of International Women’s Day in 2011 is "Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women"

Read More

Celebrating Somalia Women and Girls

 


IN FOCUS
 
Famine situation in Somalia


©SOYDA

See latest updates


 

Health Cluster appeals for about 84 million USD for humanitarian assistance in Somalia.

On 13 December 2011, the 2012 Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for Somalia was launched. The 2012 Appeal seeks $1.5 billion for 350 humanitarian life-saving projects to be implemented by 148 UN agencies and national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

In 2012, health cluster partners urgently require 84.8 million USD to fund the 42 health projects that are included in the CAP to provide life-saving health interventions. The overall health sector strategic objective is to provide a coordinated response for the provision of health service to famine-affected and vulnerable populations in order to reduce morbidity and mortality in Somalia.

Health cluster partners, under the leadership of WHO, will be working together to scale up the access to health care of the four million people who are currently in need of humanitarian assistance, including 2.4 million displaced people and other vulnerable groups.


More information on CAP: Humanitarian Appeal 2012 for Somalia