Disaster Response Somalia Project #8731

Horn of Africa Famine Relief

by Relief International

Project Report | May 5, 2014
Horn of Africa Famine Relief Update 5.3.14

By Natalie Marinkovich | Philanthropy Department

A child receiving vaccinations at a RI clinic

Relief International was one of the first humanitarian organizations to respond to the famine crisis in 2011. RI has continued to provide vital primary health care services in Somalia. Since November, RI has supported 11 health facilities throughout south central Somalia. These health facilities give regular nutrition check-ups to identify malnourished children and send them to local feeding centers. The feeding centers provide vital nutrition supplements for malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. After receiving care enough to recover, patients are given supplements to help them avoid falling into malnutrition soon after.

Somalia has one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. To combat Somalia’s high mortality rates, RI-supported health facilities also provide critical pre- and post-natal care to mothers, working with traditional birth attendants and midwives to ensure mothers have a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, and a stable environment for newborns. RI also works with committed community leaders and health workers in a partnership to build local capacity and ensure improvements in maternal and child health remain long-term.

Years of conflict, drought, and insecurity have placed increased pressure on Somalia’s resources and ability to cope with disasters. Thus, in addition to addressing emergency needs, RI’s work focuses on upon long-term solutions so communities can build resilience and self-reliance so they can resist future shocks such as droughts. Our current projects range from health, nutrition, women’s protection, animal husbandry, and education to media freedom.

Your ongoing support has made our work possible, and we thank you for helping us continue to meet the health needs of mothers and children throughout Somalia.

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Feb 3, 2014
Horn of Africa Famine Relief Update 1.31.14

By Natalie Marinkovich | Philanthropy Department

Relief International continues to provide life-saving health and nutrition services for families in Somalia while contributing to long-term health improvements for drought and conflict-affected communities. According to the United Nations, Somalia ranks among the top ten countries in the world for highest mortality rates of children under five years. To help combat child mortality, RI’s health and nutrition services assist mothers and children with their urgent health needs and establish community health systems to prevent malnutrition and provide beneficial maternal and child health needs long-term.

In addition to focusing efforts on screening children to identify early cases of acute malnutrition, dramatically improving a child’s prognosis, our team has trained nutrition outreach workers in the identification of severe acute malnutrition to enable local community management of malnutrition. RI has also trained mother support groups where mothers can learn about and seek important information regarding child health, such as infant feeding practices and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to ensure healthy growth.

RI’s health and nutrition projects have assisted thousands of mothers and children; our work also undertakes other various groundbreaking initiatives in the country to promote long-term recovery and stability. Our projects range from health, nutrition, women’s protection, animal husbandry, and education to media freedom. Recently, RI launched a girl’s education program to promote gender equality and increase girls’ access to education. The program will help more girls enroll in school, stay in school, and graduate equipped with the tools they needs to succeed and break out of poverty.

A thank you to all our dedicated supporters on Global Giving whose continued support has made our work possible.

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Nov 4, 2013
Horn of Africa Famine Relief Update 11.1.13

By Natalie Marinkovich | Philanthropy Department

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