Background

Since the collapse of the Somali Government in 1991, Somalia has been through a period of Civil War. Access to basic health care for the 271,000 inhabitants of Gedo has been non-existent. Already poorly developed health services have been almost entirely destroyed by the combined impact of civil war, destructive flooding and the ensuing periods of drought. An initial influx of International Non-Government Organisations (INGO's) has now petered out and AMREF is one of the few remaining charities still working in the area. The result is severe health problems throughout the region:

• 6th highest global infant mortality rate, at 22.5% (UNICEF, 2002)
• High maternal mortality rate
• High prevalence of Malaria, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis and malnutrition
• Recent sharp rises in mortality from STIs, including AIDS

AMREF's Approach

AMREF has supported the area since 1984, working with the local people to rebuild health systems. By training local people as doctors and nurses, AMREF has remained sensitive to the local situations, and has been successful in providing sustainable health care programs in areas where others may have failed.

The Gedo Health program will target the entire population of Gedo, estimated at 271,000, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable groups - women children and infants. Young people will also be targeted for health, nutrition and hygiene education, as they represent the next generation of parents.

Funding

The proposed project was first initiated in April 2001. Following the approval of an EU Co-financing grant and the recent acquisition of funding from DFID the program is now undergoing a period of rapid acceleration. The amount raised to date from the DFID is £287,521. Our goal is to help AMREF raise the remaining £48,000, which is of crucial importance to the completion of the project.

The Work Has Started...

The work on the project has started. With talks aimed at an agreement on a new Government for Somalia, looking positive the goal is to hand over the management of the program to a government when it is formed. The progress to date:

• District health boards activated
• Health facilities upgraded and rehabilitated
• Mother and child health care service expanded
• Immunisation program widened
• TB program achieved over 90% cure rates
• Training of staff, covering subjects such as nutrition, immunisation, control of STI's and TB, HIV counselling, essential drugs, lifesaving skills
• Supplementary feeding of 13,000 children and 7,000 adults

...But There Is Still Much To Do

Although the program is working there is still much to do and your sponsorship is vital to the continued success of the project. Further funds are required just to maintain the work done to date. Future plans for the Gedo region include:

• Extension of the supply of portable safe drinking water in Luuq town
• Health education, to combat the large proportion of cases encountered that result from poor sanitation and hygiene
• Clinical training, continued training of local people, and the provision of a library resource centre
• Training of nurses
• Providing prescription drugs, with clear instructions on their use