Help Families Fleeing Famine in Somalia

Our partners at Womankind Kenya are hard at work to bring mobile clinics and medical outreach to the rural populations of Garissa Country hard hit by the famine. In Garissa County, access to health information and services are extremely limited. As families are struggling to meet their basic human needs of food and water, health conditions are deteriorating. Cases of malaria and malnutrition are rising. These health concerns are particularly true for women, who are overwhelmingly responsible for collecting food and water for their families. With famine and drought, women have had to walk increasingly far distances in search of water and food for their families, compromising their health and hygiene.

With our local partners Womankind Kenya, MADRE is working to reduce clinical and nutritional ailments in Garissa Country through the creation of a mobile health clinic. Medical units will travel to rural populations in Garissa County to provide medication to treat malaria and typhoid as well as supplementary feeding to curb malnutrition. Medical staff will also host health workshops to increase awareness on prevention and treatment of common ailments, hygiene and sanitation.

We look forward to bringing you more updates on the mobile health clinics in Garissa County soon!

Hubbie Hussein Al-Haji, leader of Womankind Kenya, recently shared with us a message of thanks from one mother living in the refugee camps of Northern Kenya. We'd like to share her message with you today:

"My young son and I arrived in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing famine in Somalia. We lost everything, but I was grateful to still have my child. I saw many mothers burying their children, lost to starvation, on the long walk here. But even at the camp, there was still not enough food. I didn't eat so that my son could eat, and yet he grew weaker. But Womankind Kenya saved him. They gave us food and medicine. We still struggle, but as long as we are alive, with your help, I and other mothers can hope. And that also sustains us. Thank you."

In the photo below, women and girls line up to receive food aid. In northern Kenya, Womankind Kenya is still working to support families displaced by the famine.

MADRE is working with Womankind Kenya to create a mobile health clinic to bring essential medical care to women and their families. The van will be loaded with medicines, doctors and treatment tents and can transport those in need to hospitals. Our partners will offer family planning, HIV prevention resources and counseling. Doctors, nurses and counselors will travel to remote communities with medical supplies, equipment and tents. Our partners will erect the tents for a day or two in each community to treat patients and offer private medical consultation for women.

The mobile health units will do more than meet urgent needs. They will also provide preventative measures such as disease screening, immunization and health education.

Want your donation dollars to have the greatest possible impact?

On June 13, starting at 12:01 am EST, GlobalGiving is sponsoring a special “Bonus Day,” where every donation you make to MADRE and Womankind Kenya’s “Help Families Fleeing Famine in Somalia” project will be matched by 50 percent—greatly increasing the impact of your generous donations!

In northeastern Kenya, Somali families fleeing famine and war have settled in communities that are themselves facing face severe drought and hunger. MADRE is working with our partner Womankind Kenya to respond to the crisis by providing families with urgent aid—including calorie-dense, nutritious food, emergency water supplies, health kits with medicines to fight diarrhea and infections, and oral rehydration salts.

Your support of this project will enable us to continue our crucial work with Womankind Kenya. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to make your donation go even further, and donate today!

In northeastern Kenya, Somali families fleeing famine and war have settled in communities that are themselves facing face severe drought and hunger.

Womankind Kenya, in partnership with MADRE, provides emergency food aid and medical assistance to women and families.

In the video below, Hubbie Hussein al-Haji of Womankind Kenya, speaks to us about what International Women's Day means to her, Womankind’s famine relief efforts and what they hope to accomplish in the next year.

Thanks to your support, Womankind Kenya has provided thousands of at-risk families with water, maize, beans, cooking oil and calorie-dense food to combat severe malnutrition. Your generosity helps ensure that crucial aid is delivered to Somali families struggling to survive.

Click here to watch the video.