Project Overview

Target Population: Malnourished children under five, pregnant and lactating women, caregivers, and local health workers.

Location: Waqooyi Galbeed and Awdal regions, Somaliland.

Duration: June 2019 to November 2020.

Donor / Partner: Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF / UNOCHA).

Primary Goal: Provide emergency nutrition treatment and prevention services for severe acute malnutrition while strengthening local service capacity and community referral.

Rationale & Context

With SHF funding, ACRIF implemented an 18-month emergency nutrition project for malnourished children under five and pregnant and lactating women. The project supported health centers and stabilization hospitals, screened children, treated severe acute malnutrition, referred complicated cases, provided preventive nutrition services, and strengthened local health-worker capacity through training and mentorship.

Key Project Components

1. Facility-Based SAM Services

• Support health centers and hospitals to provide quality nutrition services.
• Screen children for malnutrition and treat severe acute malnutrition cases.
• Refer complicated SAM cases for inpatient care with transportation support where needed.

2. Preventive Nutrition Services

• Provide Vitamin A to eligible children.
• Provide micronutrient supplementation and MIYCN counseling to pregnant and lactating women.
• Treat eligible children for intestinal worms.

3. Capacity Building and Mentorship

• Train and mentor local health workers to strengthen service quality and sustainability.

4. Community Awareness and Referral

• Conduct awareness activities to promote early detection, referral, and use of nutrition services.

Expected Outcomes

• Children with severe acute malnutrition have improved access to timely treatment and referral.
• Pregnant and lactating women receive preventive nutrition support and counseling.
• Local health workers have stronger capacity to provide quality nutrition services.
• Community awareness supports earlier detection and increased service uptake.