Somalia: WHO Health Emergency Appeal 2025

Humanitarian Crisis Overview - Somalia faces a severe humanitarian crisis with 6 million people in need and 4.6 million targeted for assistance, requiring $38 million in funding [2] - The crisis is driven by four principal shocks: conflict, drought, flooding, and disease outbreaks, leading to displacement and poor health outcomes [3] - Over three decades of armed conflict have weakened the health system, resulting in low immunization rates, a sparse health workforce, and high maternal and child mortality rates [4] - Climatic shocks in 2023 and 2024, including droughts and flooding, have disrupted food production, increased food insecurity, and led to widespread severe acute malnutrition [5] - The outlook for 2025 is concerning, with the La Niña weather pattern expected to induce drought, further displacement, and a rise in infectious diseases [6] WHO's Strategic Objectives and Response Strategy - WHO aims to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination, deliver life-saving health interventions, and enhance health system resilience to cope with future crises [11] - WHO will support Federal Member State Ministries of Health to improve coordination and response capacity for managing health emergencies [12] - WHO will sustain essential public health functions built during the COVID-19 pandemic, including collaborative surveillance, community protection, and access to medical countermeasures [13] - WHO will address gaps in essential health service delivery by training healthcare workers and procuring emergency health kits and medicines [14] Operational Presence and Partnerships - WHO Somalia operates with over 200 personnel across all Member States, with main offices in Mogadishu and sub-offices in Garowe, Hargeisa, and Baidoa [15] - WHO coordinates with around 50 active partners, including 18 international NGOs, 28 national NGOs, and 4 United Nations agencies, to address health needs and strengthen health systems [16] Key Activities for 2025 - WHO will coordinate with the Ministry of Health and cluster partners to conduct public health situation analyses, strengthen surveillance systems, and enhance laboratory capacity [20] - WHO will preposition critical medical supplies, provide case management training, and implement targeted interventions to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment [20] - WHO will support outbreak control, mass casualty response, and data collection to inform decision-making and optimize response strategies [20] Achievements in 2024 - WHO and Action Against Hunger provided life-saving health and nutrition services to drought-affected regions, reaching almost 15,000 people in Banadir, Bay, and Lower Shabelle regions [21][26] - The project improved access to health and nutrition services, supported disease surveillance teams, and enhanced the availability of services at health facilities [24][25] Funding Requirements for 2025 - The total funding requirement for Somalia's humanitarian emergency in 2025 is $38.07 million, covering areas such as collaborative surveillance, diagnostics, community protection, and essential health systems [29]