Community Led Maternal and Newborn Health
Since September 2019, Women's Hope has been implementing a project in the Somali region of Ethiopia to provide improved access and increased use of local, high-quality maternal and infant health services.
Women's Hope International is active in eastern Ethiopia in the Somali Region to ensure that pregnant women have access to quality health services.
Our goal
The health of mothers and infants in the Doolo Zone in the Somali Region is significantly improved.
Overview
In the Somali region, maternal and child mortality rates are particularly high compared to the rest of the country. The Somali region is severely neglected in terms of health care. Many health facilities are poorly equipped - for example, out of around sixty health posts, only three have solar power. Since the drought of 2017, the nomadic Somali population in the Doolo zone has been sharing scarce resources with around 72,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are living in very basic refugee camps.
Our project supports the local communities in sustainably improving mother-child health care with their own initiatives.
What we do
To address the high maternal mortality in the Somali Region, we rely on strong participation of the affected communities. Activities aim to involve pregnant women, their families and local leaders in decision-making processes and solution finding. Therefore...
... we discuss maternal and infant deaths with communities and support the formation of mother and child health core groups.
... we enable pregnant women and people from their environment to participate in home training to educate about and prevent possible birth complications.
... we support community initiatives aimed at reducing barriers that impede health care for pregnant women.
At the same time, we strengthen the local health system through various purchases for the health centres, such as solar panels, and conduct further training for nursing staff.
Our goals
Only with the trust and participation of the local population can maternal health in the Somali Region be improved in the long term. This is what our activities aim to achieve:
The local population takes ownership of the issue, recognises the causes of deaths in the communities and develops initiatives to improve mother-child health.
Pregnant women and young mothers demand and take advantage of appropriate services.
Maternal and newborn health services in government health facilities meet the needs of women from the region.
Sustainability
As communities become more aware of pregnant women's needs, rights and services can be claimed in a more targeted manner. Knowledge is passed on in the communities and health facilities are equipped to provide quality care to pregnant women before, during and after birth in the long term.
Has our work convinced you? Then support Women's Hope International for a sustainable improvement of maternal health today! Thank you very much!
Cover picture: Distribution of hygiene kits by the partner organization OWDA, Image: Badri Ahmed Hikam
Overview:
Country:
Ethiopia
Period:
15.02.2023-31.12.2025
Local partner:
Organisation for Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA)
Target groups:
Pregnant women and their families, new mothers, midwives and nurses, community stakeholders
Beneficiaries:
Approx. 25'000 people
Project Region: Somali region, Ethiopia
Local partner
Organization for Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) has been active in Ethiopia since 1999. The organisation's goal is to contribute to sustainable development in the Somali region, which is heavily affected by natural disasters and conflicts.
Programme Manager (ad int.)
Crisis intervention in the Somali region
Natural disasters such as droughts and locust infestations are unfortunately not uncommon in the Somali Region. Women's Hope supports affected communities with rapid measures.
Support
The project is funded with the support of Migros Unterstützungsfonds and other supporters.
We thank all supporters for their valuable contribution.