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Somalia Annual Report (MAASO001)

Countries
Somalia
Sources
IFRC
Publication date
Origin
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Overview

On the 10th of November, 2013, the north east coast of Somalia was hit by a powerful tropical cyclone which caused flash floods that swept away homesteads, livestock, destroyed crops and displaced many families. The IFRC deployed a technical team to the epicentre of the disaster area which is Nugal region to assist the Somali Red Crescent conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage and the needs of the affected people which were completed by end of December. The IFRC Somalia Country Office backed by the Regional Office airlifted 300 units of non-food items comprised of Tarpaulins, kitchen sets, blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats and jerry cans which were distributed in Dangorayo district in Nugal region. The IFRC launched a DREF operation on 18 November, 2013 which allowed the SRCS to conduct the assessment. An Emergency appeal was launched on 20 December, 2013 to assist 3,100 families in Bari and Nugal regions of Puntland.

The Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), through its Integrated Health Care programme (IHCP) contributed significantly to the improvement of the health status of the most vulnerable Somali communities through the provision of basic health care services, particularly to women and children. The IHCP comprises a network of 65 static and 25 mobile Maternal and Child Health/Outpatients Department (MCH/OPD) clinics in operation throughout the 19 regions of Somalia and targeting an estimated 600,000 population.

Activities to promote health and influence positive health behavioural change were conducted through health education at the clinic and community levels by health staff and volunteers with the assistance of the Community Health Committees, mainly using the CBHFA tools. Among the topics covered were the importance of immunization, breast feeding and weaning practices, prevention of malnutrition, hygiene and sanitation practices and encouragement of healthy living. Others were the eradication/discouragement of Female Genital Mutilation/Cut (FGM/C) practices and STI/HIV and AIDS prevention. The sessions targeted different community groups such as women, elders, religious leaders and the youth. A total of 155,043 persons (89,195 women and 65,848 men) benefited from the health education sessions.