Stay up-to-date with Trócaire's work overseas, get news on key global social justice issues, and find out about our latest campaigns in Ireland and how you can get involved.
An estimated 1.8 million children under the age of five are “acutely malnourished” in Somalia
Fadumo Islow with her two-year-old son, Mohamed, in the Trócaire-run hospital in Luuq, Gedo Region, southern Somalia after eight days of treatment. Photo: Trócaire
Mother of five, Fadumo Islow, holds her two-year-old son, Mohamed, in the Trócaire-run hospital in Luuq, Gedo Region, southern Somalia.
However, when Mohamed was admitted to the health facility eight days ago, he was extremely ill. Weighing only 6 kg he was immediately diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition and pneumonia.
Mohamed was referred to the hospital for treatment by two Trócaire-trained Community Health Workers who called to his house on a visit to his village. This action probably saved his life. The health workers were so concerned at his condition they arranged for him to be transported immediately to Luuq district Hospital, 19 kilometres away, for assessment.
Mohamed received in-patient treatment in Luuq hospital for eight days. He was put on antibiotics and given special therapeutic milk. His condition started to improve, and he gradually regained weight.
Mahamed’s mother cannot express how thankful she is for the support from Trócaire.
“I am so happy for the support and treatment that my child received, and I do thank Trόcaire, particularly the Community Health Workers from my village who referred me and my child to the hospital to get help,” she said.
Trόcaire also referred Fadumo to a cash/voucher relief programme implemented by World Vision and funded by World Food Programme. Since February 2023, Faduma has received $80 which has gone towards food for Mohammed and his brothers and sisters.
Fatumo was given advice on family nutrition, and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. “I am going to practice better feeding habits for my family with the food I have received,” she said.
Somalia is in the midst of a critical hunger crisis experiencing it fifth season with no rain. The worst drought in 40 years has been driven by climate change and has left more than half of the population of 15 million people food insecure.
An estimated 1.8 million children under the age of five are “acutely malnourished” in Somalia, and millions of people are leaving their homes, where they have lived for generations, in search of basic health care and food.
As part of the drought response, Trόcaire is adopting an Integrated Community Case Management Approach (iCCM) to treating childhood illness with projects funded by EU Humanitarian Aid.
Key to this approach is training Community Health Workers to reach the most vulnerable in Internally Displaced Persons camps and communities in hard-to-reach areas. The Community Health Workers can diagnose and treat multiple illnesses including pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria.
Under the EU grant, 184 Community Health Workers have been trained and they are reaching over 158,040 people with health and nutrition services including 46,965 children under the age of five, in three districts (Belet Hawa, Dollow, and Luuq).
