Health and Hope in Somalia  

In Somalia, recurring droughts, floods, conflict and displacement continue to place immense strain on families. Access to essential health services remains a challenge for many, especially in remote and underserved areas. Medair continues to bridge the gap, providing lifesaving health support and ensuring families receive the care they need.

Addressing Critical Health Needs

Through partnerships with local organizations, Medair supports Primary Health Care facilities and mobile outreaches, ensuring that even the most vulnerable communities have access to medical care. From rehabilitating health facility structures to prepositioning emergency cholera supplies, Medair’s efforts aim to reduce morbidity and save lives. Essential services include reproductive health care, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), routine immunisations and the management of non-communicable diseases.

Medair’s team also trains health workers in integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI), ensuring they can diagnose and treat common conditions. This focus on capacity-building ensures sustainability and enhances the quality of care provided.

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A Success Story: Axlam and Her Daughter Fowsio

Axlam is a mother of three who regularly visits a Medair-supported health facility in central Somalia. On a recent visit, she brought her eight-year-old daughter, Fowsio, who was not feeling well. Axlam shared her experience:

"I came with my daughter because she feels weak and has a pain in her ear. I always come here for treatment. The services here are good. Whenever I come here, I get the treatment I need and I get free medicine."

For families like Axlam’s, access to free healthcare is transformative. Living on a modest income from her husband’s casual work, the cost of private treatment would be out of reach. She continued:

"My husband sometimes drives a “Bajaj” (a small three-wheel taxi) which is rented. This brings in a little money, but not enough to pay for treatment and medication. I thank all the supporters who make this free service for us possible."

Medair’s health facility has been a cornerstone in Axlam’s life. She has delivered all her three children at the clinic and has relied on it during health emergencies:

"Recently I came with another daughter who had diarrhoea, and she was treated very well and recovered quickly. I am happy to get all the services here. But I also hope for a better future for me and my children."

Integrated and Lifesaving Services

Medair’s holistic approach combines health, nutrition, water, sanitation and MHPSS services to address the root causes of poor health outcomes. Vaccinations protect children from preventable diseases, while trained midwives in the supported health facilities provide 24/7 delivery services for expectant mothers. Emergency medicines and supplies are prepositioned to respond quickly to outbreaks, saving lives during crises.

At facilities like the one Axlam visits, pharmacies are stocked with essential medicines and clinical staff are equipped with training and supervision to provide high-quality care. Community health networks amplify these efforts by promoting early health-seeking behaviours and referring patients to facilities for treatment.

Hope for the Future

Medair’s work in Somalia goes beyond treating illness; it restores dignity and builds resilience. By strengthening health systems and empowering local communities, Medair ensures families like Axlam’s have a safety net during challenging times.

The journey to recovery is ongoing, but progress is evident in every smile of a healthy child and every relieved parent.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Your support enables Medair to continue providing lifesaving health services to Somalia’s most vulnerable. Together, we can ensure a healthier future for families like Axlam’s.

Donate today to bring hope and healing.

* Names have been changed for security reasons.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organisation.  

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