Severe drought in Somalia pushes more people to the brink of famine
To care for the high number of acutely malnourished children, SOS Children’s Villages created additional stabilization centers at its clinics in Mogadishu, Balcad, Baidoa, Hudur and Burhakaba.
"It is hard to believe that some of the children we admitted recovered so quickly. It took just ten days for some to stabilize and their condition to normalize," said Najmo Mahad, a nurse who operates at the stabilization centre in Mogadishu's SOS Mother and Child Hospital.
"As health professionals, we have done our best to support our community. We are proud to serve them, which is why we trained as health workers. Our goal is to help communities affected by drought as best as we can," added Najmo.
More than a million people have been displaced by the severe drought. The most affected areas include South and Central Somalia. Aid agencies warn that the crisis may soon turn into widespread famine.
Dr. Abdihakim Mohamed, a pediatric doctor who works in the SOS Children’s Villages Mother and Child Hospital in Mogadishu, said patients are coming from the most vulnerable communities. “They had no access to water due to the failed rainy seasons for the last three years. Some of the patients are also victims of conflict, and they do not have shelter," Dr. Abdihakim said.
SOS Children's Villages has also increased outreach services to help the displaced communities. "We visit the displaced communities in their camps and educate them about nutrition, hygiene, and healthcare," added Jibril Mohamed, a nutrition educator.
