Somalia: Enrich Health by Improving Hygiene
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Summary
RI is working to build clean water sources and reduce the spread of preventable diseases through health education campaigns for displaced communities in Somalia.
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Received $960 from 20 donations from people like:
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More Information About this Project
Project Needs and Beneficiaries
Violent inter-clan disputes in southern and central Somalia have forced over 30,000 people to flee to overpopulated settlements in northern districts like Galkayo. Unsanitary conditions and the lack of clean water are perpetuating a growing health crisis. Child mortality rates are skyrocketing and expectant mothers go without prenatal care. This program will benefit the local and displaced residents by educating them on how to maintain good hygiene health and clean water supplies.
Activities
RI will work with government institutions, community leaders and Somalia's popular Radio Galkayo. In addition to building and maintaining clean water supplies, the program aims to reduce the spread of illness through community outreach and education.
Funding Information
Total Funding Received to Date: $960
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $49,040
Total Funding Goal: $50,000
Additional Documentation
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
Resources
Why this Project is Important
Potential Long Term Impact
Communities will retain their awareness of hygienic practices and their ability to maintain clean water supplies. When displaced individuals return home they will bring knowledge and healthy living practices to their communities.
Project Message
"Supporting the work of organizations like RI is the greatest contribution that we can make to creating a healthy and an eventually peaceful Somalia."
- Gordon K. Brown, Senior Program Manager
When this Project was Updated
Last Updated
This project was last updated on August 13, 2008.
Date Added to GlobalGiving
This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on August 15, 2007.
Latest Update from the Field
August 2008 Update: Improving Hygiene for Healthier Lives - Galkayo, Somalia
By Michelle Minc - Program Officer, August 13, 2008 04:37 PM
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
To build clean water sources and reduce the spread of preventable diseases through health education campaigns for displaced communities in Galkayo, Somalia.
BACKGROUND
Somalia has been without a central government, or peace, since 1991. Decades of war and violence have led to the internal displacement of over 1 million Somali people. This influx, combined with devastating flood and drought cycles, has created a humanitarian emergency that some UN officials refer to as the worst in the world. One in eight children die before their fifth birthday, and one in three are chronically malnourished. Just 30% of children go to school.
Public health is closely linked to the current humanitarian crisis. Insufficient access to potable water and sanitation, particularly for displaced persons, forces families to rely on unsafe systems. Rain water passes through exposed waste and contaminates surface drinking water sources. Poorly constructed latrines flood into wells used for all potable and household water needs. Moreover, Relief International has observed that Somali families are unaware of the connections between hygiene and health. The result: a rapid spread of deadly communicable diseases, such as cholera and acute watery diarrhea—which can kill a child under the age of 5.
PROGRESS SUMMARY
Achievements thusfar in the “Improving Hygiene for Healthier Lives” project focused on procurement of essential water treatment supplies and initial community mobilization. RI has convened key stakeholders, including local and district authorities, who are prepared to facilitate project implementation and community education. RI has been careful to engage both the Governor and Mayor (North Galkayo) and the District Commissioner (South Galkayo) so as not to exclude or exacerbate existing clan tensions. Although the community is aware of and ready for this project, more sensitivity and mobilization is required – in particular for IDP communities.
During the reporting period, RI Headquarters-based Senior Program Officer was in-country to manage and oversee the Somalia program, as well as engage regional and local authorities and stakeholders to ensure commencement of community sensitization / mobilization.
CHALLENGES and SOLUTIONS
Program challenges experienced result from the intense security situation across all of Puntland, in particular affecting Bossaso, Galkayo, and Garowe, where a significant presence of humanitarian aid agencies exists. NGO staff are increasingly viewed as targets for kidnappings by Somali abductors, who view their hostages as leverage that could pay-out a handsome ransom. As a result, RI has been forced to restrict considerably movement to protect staff safety, while advancing project activities as much as is possible. Through the holiday period (late December 2007 to early January 2008), RI’s movement was completely halted as security conditions across Puntland worsened.
To ensure staff safety, RI has taken more time to carefully plan movement and activities. Taking a low profile, RI is still seeking to take a community-based approach wherein the community largely has ownership of all activities.
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Somalia
Health
