Integrated Nutrition Prevention, Treatment and WASH Program in Somaliland

Integrated Nutrition Prevention, Treatment and WASH Program in Somaliland

Project Overview

Target Population: Children aged 6-59 months, pregnant and lactating women, primary caregivers, and communities served by 32 health centers and one hospital.

Location: Berbera, Sheikh, Burao, Oodweyne, and Buuhoodle, Somaliland.

Duration: October 2022 to December 2025.

Donor / Partner: UNICEF.

Primary Goal: Provide integrated nutrition and WASH services that prevent, identify, and treat malnutrition while strengthening caregiver practices and frontline capacity.

Rationale & Context

With UNICEF support, ACRIF implemented a multi-year Nutrition and WASH program through 32 health centers and one hospital. The program combined malnutrition screening and treatment with deworming, Vitamin A, micronutrient supplementation, IYCF counseling, hygiene promotion, and training for health and nutrition workers.

Key Project Components

  1. Malnutrition Screening and Treatment
  • Screen children aged 6-59 months for malnutrition.
  • Treat children with severe acute malnutrition through supported services.
  1. Micronutrients and Deworming
  • Provide Vitamin A to eligible children.
  • Provide micronutrient supplementation to pregnant and lactating women.
  • Treat eligible children for intestinal worms.
  1. MIYCN/IYCF and Hygiene Promotion
  • Provide infant and young child feeding counseling.
  • Reach caregivers with nutrition, health, and hygiene promotion.
  1. WASH Support and Workforce Capacity
  • Provide WASH kits to families with children affected by severe acute malnutrition.
  • Train health and nutrition workers on IMAM, MIYCN, GBV, and PSEA.

Expected Outcomes

  • More children are screened early and receive appropriate treatment for acute malnutrition.
  • Pregnant and lactating women and young children have improved access to micronutrient and preventive nutrition services.
  • Caregivers strengthen nutrition, health, and hygiene practices.
  • Health and nutrition workers have strengthened technical capacity to deliver integrated services.

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Project Impact

20 primary schools received basic education, hygiene, and sports kits.

220 school principals and focal teachers were oriented on Child Rights Governance objectives, strengthening their role in supporting child participation in school governance.

14,805 boys and girls in primary schools were trained on Child-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction.