Somalia is a country grappling with the devastating effects of drought, flooding, displacement, conflict and food insecurity. These challenges have left millions, especially children, at risk of malnutrition. Medair’s nutrition services offer lifesaving care to the most vulnerable, ensuring families receive the support they need to rebuild their strength and resilience.

Tackling Malnutrition Head-On

Malnutrition is a silent crisis, robbing children of their health and future. Children suffering from malnutrition face severe health risks, including stunted growth, weakened immune systems, developmental delays, and increased susceptibility to diseases like pneumonia and diarrhoea. Without timely intervention, malnutrition can lead to life-threatening complications and long-term consequences for physical and cognitive development.

Medair’s work focuses on providing lifesaving nutrition services to children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Through Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities and mobile outreach sites, Medair supports the management of acute malnutrition, offering services such as Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and micronutrient supplementation in feeding programmes.

Community health volunteers play a crucial role in this effort. These trained volunteers conduct household visits, identifying cases of malnutrition early and referring families to the nearest health facility. They also educate parents on best practices for infant and young child feeding, creating long-term impact by addressing the root causes of malnutrition. Social and behaviour change communication campaigns further reinforce these lessons, equipping families with the knowledge needed to prevent malnutrition.

A Success Story: Canab and Her Daughter Nala

Canab’s life changed when her 16-month-old daughter, Nala, fell severely ill. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Canab first brought Nala to a general hospital, where she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. However, Nala was subsequently discharged, and her care was transferred to a Medair-supported clinic, where she received the ongoing care she desperately needed. Canab shared:

"The girl is 1 year and 4 months old. Nala was very sick when I brought her to the clinic. I first took her to the general hospital. There she was tested positive for tuberculosis. She is receiving medication here at the clinic and is getting better."

When Nala arrived, her condition was critical. She had oedema, poor appetite, and was very weak. Medair’s team quickly intervened after diagnosing her with severe acute malnutrition, providing therapeutic food, medication, and close monitoring. Nala is slowly recovering, the oedema reduced, and her appetite improved. Canab continued:

"Nala had oedema all over her body and no appetite. She had a fever at night and refused to eat. I was very sad and I am still sad. The child is getting better, but there is still a long way to go."

Despite the challenges, Canab expressed gratitude for the care her daughter received:

"Your support is very good and helps a lot. Without access to this facility, the situation would be very difficult. Things used to be better and more stable. I hope the child’s health will improve and the situation will continue to change for the better."

Medair’s work in cases like Nala’s extends beyond treatment. Nutritionists provide mothers like Canab with counselling on how to optimise their children’s diets within their limited means, ensuring sustainable recovery. Nala’s progress, though gradual, demonstrates the profound impact of timely, comprehensive care.

Integrated Nutrition Services

Medair’s approach to nutrition goes beyond treating malnutrition. It includes educating families on maternal, infant, and young child feeding practices, such as promoting exclusive breastfeeding or children under 6 months, and improving access to clean water and hygiene. This holistic approach ensures that families can sustain improvements in their health and nutrition long after treatment.

In addition to supporting individual patients, Medair strengthens health systems by training staff, equipping clinics, and ensuring a steady supply of therapeutic foods and medicines. Emergency outreach teams extend these services to remote areas, reaching those who might otherwise go without care.

By combining direct treatment with community education and health system support, Medair’s nutrition program addresses both the immediate and underlying causes of malnutrition. This ensures that fewer children suffer from preventable conditions and that families can build a foundation for long-term health.

Hope for a Healthier Future

For families like Canab’s, Medair’s nutrition services offer more than just treatment; they provide hope. Every child treated, every mother educated, and every community supported represents a step toward a healthier, stronger Somalia.

The journey is not easy, but with the dedication of health workers and the support of donors, progress is being made. Every success story, like Nala’s, is a reminder of what is possible with compassion, expertise, and perseverance.

Join Us in Fighting Malnutrition

Your support makes these lifesaving services possible. Together, we can ensure that children like Nala receive the care they need to survive and thrive.

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* 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.