In the border region of the Mandera Triangle, straddling Somalia and Kenya, Doctors for Peace’s humanitarian commitment continues to counter the health and food crisis affecting the most vulnerable communities.
In Somalia: mobile clinics and health education in the district of Belet-Hawo
In the Belet-Hawo district, the local partner’s team, in collaboration with Doctors for Peace ODV, ensured continuity in the provision of primary medical services in the villages of Qaranri, Buurka and Tuulo-amin. Through the mobile clinics, in the first month of the project, 68 pregnant women, new mothers and children under five years of age received gynecological examinations, paediatric check-ups and vaccinations.
In parallel, activities to combat malnutrition provided emergency nutritional support and screening to 92 mothers and children. Community health education sessions were also organized, involving 785 residents on crucial issues such as the prevention of malnutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, and water and food hygiene. Despite the logistical difficulties related to transport and communication routes, the response of local communities remains solid and collaborative.
In Kenya: door-to-door prevention and listening to communities in Mandera
On the Kenyan side, in the villages of Warankara, Bambo and Gari, Doctors for Peace, together with its local partner, has launched a widespread campaign to raise awareness and promote hygiene in preparation for the start of clinical services. Taking advantage of the network of Community Health Units, in the first month of the project 30 local operators visited 154 households, bringing direct messages on disease prevention and good hygiene practices to over 1,040 people.
The initiative also allowed an important moment of dialogue with over 100 community leaders and seniors. During the meetings, the population was able to report the structural criticalities of local health centers — such as the shortage of essential medicines and the absence of running water — providing valuable data that the organization will transmit to the county health authorities to urge targeted interventions.
A joint effort for the future of the Horn of Africa
The results achieved during this period demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated approach that combines emergency medical care with long-term prevention. In the coming weeks, plans include the intensification of mobile clinic tours and the start of nutritional distributions in Kenya, confirming the commitment to leave no one behind in one of the most complex regions of the African continent.
🤝The project is made possible thanks to the precious support of the funds of the Otto per Mille di Tavola Valdese
