Health and Nutrition
Children and their moms are the most innocent victims of terrorism and natural disasters.
The child and maternal mortality rates in Somalia are among the highest in the world, according to UNICEF.
Every 100,000 live births, 1,600 mothers die, and one in eight children die before the age of five.
Another third of children are chronically underweight, only 30% of families have access to clean drinking water, and only 30% of kids attend school, all of which rank among the poorest social indicators for children in the world. Somalis live only 47 years on average.
Our Health and Nutrition Programme is aimed at improving the health and nutrition status of Somalis, with a particular focus on women and children.
Children, families, and communities are empowered by good health and nutrition, enabling them to live more fulfilling, independent lives.
A healthy lifestyle transforms. Every child should be able to enjoy it. Children have the right and deserve access to healthy nutrition and good health.
In order for families and children to survive and thrive, we want to see improved access, long-lasting behavioral change, and community connections to what works.
Activities
- Treating thousands of malnourished children under the age of 5, as well as pregnant women and nursing mothers
- children with Severe Acute Malnutrition are given ready-to-use therapeutic foods like Plumpy’nut weekly, while those with Moderate Acute Malnutrition are given UNIMIX biweekly; both are specialized food for malnourished children.
- Constructing and repairing sanitary latrines and hand-washing stations at schools, health centers and displaced persons camps
- Preventing diseases through the immunization of children and women, distribution of vitamin A and iron folate
- Providing health, nutrition and hygiene education to vulnerable communities as an effective means of disease prevention.