Somalia - Humanitarian Assistance - World Vision Canada 2016

March 2016 - Somalia has suffered from conflict and insecurity for more than twenty five years and remains vulnerable to the effects of chronic natural disasters (drought flooding) making it one of the longest running and most severe humanitarian contexts in the world. According to recent United Nations assessments 4.9 million Somalis (about one half of the population) now require humanitarian assistance to survive an increase of more than 60% since the beginning of 2015. Of these over one million people have been internally displaced (and more than one million more are living as refugees in neighbouring countries). Widespread hunger high levels of acute malnutrition lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation vulnerability to disease outbreaks and threats to personal safety and security are all characteristics of the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing the Somali population. With GAC support World Vision is addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of an estimated 72 000 crisis-affected and internally displaced Somalis in Baidoa district through: (1) the operation of six health posts and two maternal and child health centres; (2) the establishment or rehabilitation of safe water supply systems to serve the health posts and surrounding communities; and (3) the provision of protection and support services for vulnerable community members including unaccompanied or separated children and victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

The expected immediate outcomes of this project include: (1) improved access to healthcare (2) improved access to safe water and sanitation; and (3) improved access to protection for target communities. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.