Providing care amid prolonged conflict
Despite ongoing conflict, the absence of a
formal government and frequent evacuations
due to insecurity, MSF teams continue
to bring medical aid to thousands of
Somalis who would otherwise lack health
care. In southern Somalia, where medical
infrastructure is completely lacking, MSF is
working to reach the 200,000 people who
live in the Bakool region. MSF has recently
expanded its work to four of the region's
five districts, providing treatment for
diseases such as tuberculosis and kala azar,
and reaching out to nomadic populations.
Since 1997, MSF has worked in Galkayo, in
the Mudug region, home to an estimated
350,000 people. MSF supports pediatric
and maternity services in two hospitals
there, one of each side of the "green line"
which divides the town between warring
factions. In addition to supplying medicines
and materials, training local staff and
providing direct patient care, MSF is rehabilitating
both hospitals. Between October
and December 2003, MSF intervened three
times during repeated clan conflicts in
Galgudud, 200 kilometers south of
Galkayo. MSF teams traveled to both sides
of the conflict, treating more than 180
wounded people and replenishing stocks
of emergency drugs and supplies.
In Lower Juba Valley, in the Marere region,
an area in which most people are members
of the marginalized Bantu group, MSF
focuses on maternal and child health.
While working to improve vaccination coverage
and reproductive health, the MSF team also treats people with communicable
diseases. In late December 2003, a Somali
MSF staff member was killed in the crossfire
between attackers and guards during a
robbery at the compound of a Somali aid
organization. The rest of the team was
evacuated. By January 2004, the remaining
team members had returned and were caring
for 48 children in a therapeutic feeding
center.
In the southwestern part of the country,
MSF runs a 35-bed health center in Dinsor,
a town in the western Bay region, near
Baidoa. The MSF clinic is the only health
facility for the 100,000 people who live in
this region. In February 2004, the team
responded to tribal clashes near Boale by
treating the wounded and referring the
most severe cases to the Dinsor health
center. MSF staff also have monitored and
responded to epidemics, such as a measles
outbreak that occurred in January 2004.
MSF is also working in Somalia's capital,
Mogadishu, running a primary health care
clinic and responding to cholera outbreaks
as necessary. At the clinic, MSF provides
maternal and child health care, nutritional
screening and monitoring of infectiousdisease
outbreaks. MSF also provides
primary health care in 11 clinics in the
southern regions of Banaadir and
Shabeellaha.
MSF has worked in Somalia since 1991.
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