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In Somalia, a staggering 4 million people, representing one-fifth of the population, are facing severe food insecurity. Additionally, 3.8 million individuals have been displaced from their homes, and 1.7 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition. These alarming statistics are a direct result of the ongoing conflict, climate-related disasters like floods and droughts, recurrent infectious disease outbreaks, and widespread poverty.

The city of Baidoa in the South West state of Somalia experienced extreme weather conditions in 2023, including the worst drought in four decades and floods linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon. These events have placed immense pressure on the city’s already scarce resources, particularly in terms of water and sanitation services. As the rainy season approaches, the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera outbreaks increases.

Dr. Tammam Aloudat, the president of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the Netherlands, highlighted the dire conditions faced by nearly 740,000 internally displaced individuals in Baidoa and its surroundings. Limited access to maternal and infant health care services in Somalia, exacerbated by droughts, floods, and heightened conflict, has resulted in some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates globally.

Displaced women and children living in camps struggle to reach health facilities when in need of medical care, as highlighted by Fatima, a 23-year-old woman residing in a camp in Baidoa. With impassable roads due to flooding and insecurity, along with high transportation costs, access to hospitals is a significant challenge for many.

With only two hospitals in Baidoa serving a growing number of displaced individuals, there is an urgent need to strengthen primary health services to ensure pregnant women can access essential care and encourage safe births in medical facilities. MSF has been supporting Bay Regional Hospital in Baidoa since May 2018 to address the health care needs of women and children, reduce mortality rates, and prepare for potential disease outbreaks.

The humanitarian crisis in Somalia has led to a significant strain on health care providers countrywide, including aid organizations. Insecurity has disrupted the provision of medical and humanitarian aid, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts to address the unmet needs of displaced people in terms of food, shelter, clean water, and health care.

Despite the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Somalia, there is a funding gap of $1.4 billion in the required $1.6 billion humanitarian response plan. Better coordination among humanitarian organizations is essential to optimize available resources and address the needs of displaced populations effectively.

While global attention is often focused on high-profile emergencies, ongoing protracted crises like the one in Somalia must not be overlooked. MSF remains committed to providing essential services in South West state, where limited resources and escalating needs continue to pose significant challenges.