Overview
Somalia has one of the highest rates of maternal and neonatal
mortality. In this country ravaged by war, with almost no
functioning health system, an estimated 40 women die every day of
complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth. The risks are
even greater for displaced women and babies living in poor and
unsanitary conditions without access to antenatal or emergency
obstetric care.
The situation of maternal and prenatal health in Somalia is of
pressing concern. Health services overall are severely limited,
with even less focus on reproductive health issues. Decades of
conflict, insecurity and mass displacement have also contributed
considerably to the overall deterioration of health services.
- 1 in every 14 Somali women will die during childbirth;
- At least 40 Somali women die every day due to preventable
complications during childbirth;
- 86 out of 1,000 Somali children die within the first week of
being born;
- Approximately 80% of deliveries take place at home;
- Only 9% of births in Somalia are attended by skilled
personnel.
Due to the lack of funding available to work on improving health
services in the country, Somalia is heavily dependent on charitable
donations and private funding. Since 2009, Australia for
UNHCR has supported the only UNHCR funded reproductive health
program in all of Somalia that saves the lives of mothers and their
babies.
Note: Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to
meet the immediate and longer term needs of the people in the
affected areas, Australia for UNHCR will direct donations to
our Emergency Programs for Refugees to enable us to rapidly address
future emergencies as they occur.
How we help
Since 2009, Australia for UNHCR has supported the only UNHCR
funded reproductive health program in all of Somalia that saves the
lives of mothers and their babies. UNHCR oversees the operation of
maternity clinics and encourages women to access these services
before, during and after childbirth. We train and equip midwives
and, where possible, provide all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
with extra nutrition and anti-malarial medication.
In Somalia, there is a strong tradition of homebirth. For the
displaced in Somalia, it is normal for women to give birth in
highly unsanitary conditions and, as such, they expose themselves
and their newborns to the risk of post-natal infection. A simple
initiative funded by Australia for UNHCR led to the distribution of
Clean Delivery Kits in Somalia (see image below). Containing a
plastic sheet, clean blade, soap, string, swaddling and
resuscitation instructions, they enable mothers to give birth in a
clean environment, reducing the risk of haemorrhage and post-natal
infection.
The Kits are currently being distributed through Galkayo Medical
Centre in the northern state of Puntland, an area hosting large
populations of internally displaced people (IDPs) from the South.
The UNHCR-supported hospital, one of the few facilities providing
obstetric services in Puntland also runs regular clinics and
community health programs in the nearby IDP settlement.
Meeting the MDGs
UNHCR is meeting the following MDGs in its Safe Mother
and Baby Program:
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MDG 4: This Goal focuses on reducing child
mortality for children under the age of five. UNHCR's Safe Mother
and Baby program has significantly reduced infant mortality rates
around the world. Other UNHCR programs provide children with
emergency nutrition and healthcare, as well as immunisations to
prevent disease, ultimately reducing child mortality.
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MDG 5: UNHCR's Safe Mother and Baby Program
works to align itself with Goal 5 and improve maternal health.
UNHCR provides ongoing postnatal care to thousands of refugee
mothers and their babies through the construction of maternity
wards, the provision of medical staff, emergency transport and
clean delivery kits. Australia for UNHCR's maternal health work
through its Safe Mother and Baby Program has directly resulted in
reduced maternal and infant mortality rates in Somalia, Myanmar and
Uganda.
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News
Sarah-Jane Clarke announced as ambassador - 28 April 2010
Australia for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s charity in Australia, today announced that noted co-founder of sass & bide, Sarah-Jane Clarke, had come on board as an ambassador to help raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the world
Read more...
