SOMALIA

SOMALIA

Health Sector Needs Assessment

Of a population of about seven million
people, more than 350,000 remain refu-
gees, while another 370,000 to 400,000
have been internally displaced by years of
conflict and drought. These displaced peo-
ple countrywide are considered especially
vulnerable, particularly those who are
from minority clans or have moved out of
their “traditional” clan areas.

Disease surveillance and control: The

common causes of morbidity and mor-
tality are: 1) diarrhoeal diseases, includ-
ing cholera; 2) Tuberculosis; 3) malaria,
which affects mainly pregnant women
and children under five; and 4) measles.
There have been no confirmed polio cases
in Somalia since 2002. However, this significant achievement needs to be sustained
throughout 2005 via repeated special immunization activities, strengthened routine im-
munization, and improved surveillance.

Nutrition: As a result of internal displacement and drought, food insecurity, poor feed-
ing practices, and health problems, Somalia continues to suffer sustained high malnutri-
tion rates. Significant regional differences exist, with Global Acute Malnutrition ranging
from 19.5% to 37%.

Health access: Limited access due to insecurity in central and south Somalia has
restricted health activities, contributing to the spread of diseases such as acute respira-
tory tract infections, obstetrical problems, anaemia, and sexually transmitted infections.
In addition, injuries resulting from armed conflict are common but few health facilities
have the capacity to treat them. In some areas, war-damaged hospitals and clinics have
been rebuilt and qualified health professionals are returning to practices, but the overall
health situation in Somalia remains poor with some of the worst health indicators in the
world.

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 SOMALIA
Health Sector Priorities for 2005
•Strengthen provision of basic health services including returnees, refugees, IDPs, and
the host community
•Increase access in specific underserved areas as well as appropriate services for dis-
abilities
•Ensure appropriate monitoring and control of outbreaks
•Increase Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) coverage by 20% for children
aged under one year
•Maintain zero incidence of wild polio virus
•Increase integrated reproductive health services and information availability as well as
access to emergency obstetric care
•Achieve a recovery rate of at least 75% in selective feeding programmes
•Develop/strengthen the capacity of local health staff and management structure
and maintain an effective and regular link between health sector interventions with
HIV/AIDS
•Ensure policy documents and systems are in place to support the management and
implementation of humanitarian health response

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SOMALIA

Funds Implementing
WHO Proposed Projects for 2005
Requested Partners
Integrated Reproductive Health Services for
MoH in NW, NE and
Vulnerable Urban Populations in the three
US$ 582,235 S-Cent Somalia, CARE
zones of Somalia (with UNFPA) [SOM-05/ Int., MSF Spain, ACF
H08]

Assessment of health sector status, serv-

UNICEF, UNFPA, NGOs,
ices needs and priorities in conflicts and US$ 361,460 local health authorities
drought affected regions [SOM-05/H09]

UNDP, UNICEF, GTZ, lo-

Mental Health [SOM-05/H10] US$ 233,200 cal health authorities
Mitigating the impact on health and nutri-
UNICEF, FSAU, local
tion of the drought and response to urgent US$ 152,560 health authorities
needs [SOM-05/H11]
Expanded Programme on Immunisation
(EPI), including Polio Eradication Initiative local and international
(PEI) [SOM-05/H04B] US$ 1,983,477 NGOs, Somali authori-
Other appealing agency: UNICEF [see ties
SOM-05/H04AB]
UNICEF, ACF, CSP,
Prevention and control of communicable
US$ 448,568 MSF(S), SRCS, local
diseases [SOM-05/H12] health authorities
HIV sero-prevalence testing and VCT
CARE int., COOPI,
(Voluntary Counselling and Testing) among
US$ 653,450 IRCRC, AAH, Zonal and
vulnerable groups (with UNFPA) [SOM- local health authorities
05/H08]
UNICEF, COOPI,
AAH, MSF-Holland,
ICRC,GHC, SOS, IN-
Improvement of blood safety in TERSOS, IFRC, COSV,
US$ 308,990 CISP, WVI, CARE In-
Somalia [SOM-05/H20]
ternational, ICD, SRCS,
private hospitals and
health authorities

Promote the use of Low Cost Disinfections

UNICEF, AFRICA 70, lo-
in Households and Vulnerable Communities US$ 213,200 cal health authorities
[SOM-05/WS06]

Total Funds Requested: US$ 4,937,140

2004 Major Health Sector Donors: European Commission, Finland, Nether-

lands, Norway, United Kingdom, United States

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