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Somalia

In August 2013, after a series of violent attacks on MSF staff took place with the tacit acceptance – or active complicity – of armed groups and civilian authorities, Médecins Sans Frontières closed all of its projects in Somalia after 22 years of continuous operations. After an absence of four years, MSF started treating patients in Somalia again in 2017.

Access to food, water, sanitation, health services and shelter is irregular and insufficient. Attacks, bombs and targeted assassinations remain frequent. Children are suffering particularly and there is an urgent need for preventive activities such as vaccinations, as well as lifesaving emergency care.

Children’s healthcare

Our focus is on malnutrition and paediatric care. We support a therapeutic feeding program, outpatient and inpatient paediatric services and emergency room at the Mudug regional hospital in North Galkayo, and the maternity and paediatric wards of the regional hospital in Baidoa.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other health organisations, MSF is developing a proposal on outbreak preparedness and response to support communities in southern Somalia. However, the scope of our activities depends not only on what we identify as necessary and feasible, but on the acceptance, facilitation and active support we receive from the authorities and the communities in which we work.

MSF will assess locations for future projects based on needs, feasibility and the ability to secure the presence of international staff alongside Somali staff.

 

Find out more about Somalia