Horn of Africa Famine Relief

Relief International has been on the ground in Somalia since 2007 and was one of the first humanitarian organizations to respond to the famine crisis. Beyond addressing the emergency health and nutrition needs of Somalia mothers and children, Relief International’s projects have since broadened to focus upon long-term development and rebuilding the livelihoods of Somali families. Currently, Relief International’s programs in Somalia address health, nutrition, women’s protection, animal husbandry, education and media freedom.

Thanks to your support through GlobalGiving, Relief International has continued to serve the health and nutrition needs of Somali mothers and their children. To date, Relief International’s clinics in south central Somalia were able to provide 554 pregnant mothers with antenatal care services, immunize 6200 children against measles, and rehabilitate 632 children under five for acute malnutrition. Through Relief International’s primary care services assisting internally displaced persons and vulnerable members of the host community in Galkayo, central Somalia, 431 children were fully immunized against vaccine preventable diseases and 80 pregnant mothers were given pre-natal healthcare.

Access to quality primary education remains a challenge in Somalia. Most of its schools are located in rural areas and many lack the proper books, supplies, trained teachers, and proper management to ensure all Somali children have the opportunity to learn and better their future. To improve access to primary education, Relief International has established education programs to target 21 primary schools in the Puntland state. Relief International’s education activities are focused upon improving access to primary education, with special emphasis on girls, while improving teacher training, school facilities, and community management of schools. Currently, over 9000 Somali children are benefitting from an improved education through Relief International’s program. Recently, over 700 new students were enrolled, many of whom are accessing primary education for the first time.

The Relief International team would like to thank you for your continued support through GlobalGiving. Together we can continue to rebuild the lives of Somali families and ensure Somali mothers and their children see a brighter and healthier future.

Remember, be sure to order your RI Relief Bead bracelets in time for Mother’s Day! Relief Beads help combat child malnutrition and hunger in Africa and are the perfect way to show the special mom in your life how big your heart is! 

Links:

• RI's Programs in Somalia
• Click Here to order your Relief Bead bracelet!

Relief International’s work in Somalia ensures that families suffering from the effects of famine receive life-saving relief. But, our work also focuses upon the long-term development of their communities. Beyond addressing emergency health and malnutrition, Relief International‘s projects aim to ensure that children continue their education, that women and girls are protected and healthy, and the rebuilding of families’ livelihoods.

In partnership with Global Giving, Relief International is providing health and nutrition services specially targeting mothers and young children. Relief International’s nutrition and primary healthcare project operates in 13 locations in the Mudug region of Somalia focusing on efforts train community nutrition outreach workers to identify and screen children for acute malnutrition early on so children can recover and get back to health quicker. Nutrition education is an important part of our program and our outreach works train mothers on topics such as: appropriate infant and young child feeding practices, diarrhea treatment and about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Our health and nutrition project targets a total of 2,578 severely malnourished children, of which more than half are girls.

Relief International’s primary education activities focus upon improving the quality of teaching, enhancing participation, and access for children through our primary education programs across five regions of central Somalia. Our project activities include: the construction of classrooms; the building of water points and sanitation facilities for schools; establishing teaching resource centers and sports facilities for children;  promoting interschool competitions; and supporting the establishment of community education committees and student clubs. This project supports 21 primary schools and targets a total of 8,516 children.

Another innovative part of our work in Somalia includes our fuel-efficient stoves pilot project that is introducing fuel-efficient stoves to families living in camps in Mogadishu, Galkayo and Afgooye . Through fuel-efficient stoves, families will be reducing their fuel consumption, improving their respiratory health, and reducing competition for scare wood fuel resources-- resources that are mainly collected by women and girls. Most of all, this project aims to protect Somali women and girls who put themselves at risk everyday when collecting firewood, as they are vulnerable to violence on these long treks. Through this project, Relief International is distributing 20,000 fuel-efficient stoves to internally displaced and host community families.

The staff at Relief International would like to thank you for your support through Global Giving. Let’s continue to make a positive impact in the lives of Somali families and not only provide life-saving relief and save children from malnutrition—but create opportunity and help Somalis rebuild their lives so their children can see a brighter future.

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