MOGADISHU, Somalia (BG)— In the heart of Al-Adalada camp, located west of Mogadishu, 49-year-old Hawa Sharif Ali has found a lifeline for her family’s medical needs.
Like thousands of other internally displaced people (IDPs) living in the camp, she relies on the Sinkadheer health centre in the Garasbaley district for essential health services.
Hawa, a mother of six, does tireless laundry in nearby neighborhoods to support her family.
Life has been a constant struggle for her, compounded by Somalia’s devastating drought in 2022–23—one of the worst in the country’s history.
Displacement, financial hardships, and caring for her children have placed an enormous burden on her shoulders.
Despite these challenges, Hawa takes pride in managing her household and ensuring the well-being of her children.
A source of hope and support for her is the Sinkadheer health centre, where she seeks medical care for her family.
In December 2024, Hawa brought her youngest child, two-year-old Abdulrahman Mohamed, to the centre to receive his final measles vaccine under the Expanded Programme on Immunization.
“I prioritize my child’s health,” Hawa said. “Each time I give birth, I bring my child here. We don’t have the money to go to private hospitals, but this centre is accessible for us. Today, my son received his measles vaccine to complete his immunizations. I’ve completed my other children’s routine immunizations, and I’m happy.”
ECHO-Supported Health Facilities Save Lives
At the peak of the 2023 drought, donors like the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) responded quickly, providing increased funding to save lives.
Their support enabled the treatment of severe acute malnutrition and the preventing of disease outbreaks, including vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles.
This funding and contributions from other donors have allowed WHO to meet the immediate needs of families like Hawa’s while strengthening local health clinics to serve communities more effectively in the future.
Beyond routine immunizations, the Sinkadheer Health Centre offers a wide range of services through the Integrated Health and Nutrition Programme.
The initiative provides lifesaving care to families who would otherwise be unable to afford medical treatment.
Supported by funding from ECHO, the German Federal Foreign Office, and others, the programme continues to improve the lives of Somali mothers and children, offering health and hope amid the challenges of displacement.
Every day, the health centre serves as a humanitarian hub, welcoming around 200 patients, most of whom come from nearby IDP communities.
The centre provides general health care, nutrition support, and vital services to prevent malnutrition.
“Most of the people we serve here are mothers and children from the nearby IDP communities,” said Mukhtar Derow Luqmaan, supervisor of the Sinkadheer health centre.
“Every day, around 200 patients walk through our doors seeking care, nutrition support, and protection from malnutrition. For them, this centre is a lifeline,” he added.
Building Partnerships for Better Health in Somalia
Through collaboration with humanitarian partners, WHO Somalia supports health centres that address the unique challenges displaced families face.
The WHO aims to bring practical health solutions closer to vulnerable communities to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Thanks to unwavering support from humanitarian donors like ECHO, WHO was able to bring lifesaving health care to drought-affected communities in Somalia, giving vulnerable children and families a fighting chance,” said Dr. Renee Van de Weerdt, WHO Representative in Somalia.
“Now that the acute emergency has passed, we are continuing to strengthen the resilience of the health system to meet the immediate needs of their communities and to better withstand the next emergency. Together, we’re building a healthier, stronger future for every Somali family,” the WHO official added.
These efforts, made possible by ECHO and other partners, provide more than medical care—they restore hope and dignity to those in need.
Addressing immediate health challenges while nurturing Somalia’s future, WHO and its partners are helping children grow healthy and strong, and mothers care for their families with pride.
This collective work reflects the power of compassion and its ability to transform lives in the face of adversity.
Initially published by World Health Organization – Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and rewritten by Felix Tih, Bantu Gazette.
