Lifesaving Health Services for El-Nino Victims in Beledweyne
Beledweyne, Somalia, 5 July 2024 – For the past eight months, WARDI, in partnership with the Somali Humanitarian Fund (SHF), has been delivering critical health services in Beledweyne, Hiran region, to populations at risk of El Nino Beledweyne district, Hiran region. This crucial initiative has established one health center and deployed three mobile health teams, covering 15 villages and IDP camps previously without healthcare access.
Every day, residents of Beledweyne flock to these mobile clinics for essential services. Rawo Muhumed Ahmed, a resident of Abdikarin village, frequently visits the local health center with her son for immunizations and other medical services.
“I have come to the mobile clinic in Abdikarin village to get polio vaccine for my son. This is the last shot. He has now completed the polio vaccine,” she said.
Lifesaving Health Services
The mobile clinics provide various services, including preventive care. They offer vaccinations, health education, and counseling and treat common illnesses such as malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
“I came to the clinic and got everything I needed; medication and treatment for malaria. I have been given these drugs. We thank them for the good services they have given us,” said Bishara Sheikh Elmi, another beneficiary.
Local Council Chairman Omar Hussein Amin believes the project has been life-changing particularly for women and children.
“We are grateful to WARDI for providing us with the much-needed healthcare services.” He continued. “They give us free treatment, and medication and even vaccinate our children at no extra cost.”
According to Rawo, this is the first health facility in Abdikarin village.
“We would like WARDI to continue with these services because we lack healthcare services in this area. WARDI was the first to give us these services and we would like them to continue.” She said.
WARDI has reached over 27,680 beneficiaries in Beledweyne, most of whom are pregnant and lactating women and children. These include 1,980 pregnant women, 4,400 children under 5, and 21,300 (7,654 males & 8,435 females).
Reprieve for victims of El Nino floods
Beledweyne frequently faces severe flooding due to the Shabelle River breaking its banks. In March 2024, nearly 85% of Beledweyne was submerged by flood water following a heavy downpour. Over 250,000 people were displaced and evacuated to higher ground, following weeks of heavy rains and flooding.
“The El Nino floods have destroyed many homes and thousands of people have lost their properties, including food and sources of livelihood,” said WARDI Health and Nutrition Coordinator Yusuf Yakub, “Our major focus now is to control and prevent disease outbreaks attributed to El Nino because as you can tell, most health facilities have been flooded. We are maneuvering this through the provision of mobile health clinics.”
WARDI’s health services are crucial in preventing disease outbreaks in these affected communities, providing a lifeline for thousands in need during these challenging times.
For media inquiries, please contact;
Ubah Bulle, Communication and Fundraising Manager, WARDI via ubahbulle@wardirelief.org
Musa Salah, Communication Officer, WARDI via communications@wardirelief.org
