United Kingdom: UNICEF and UK have united to launch a programme to boost the health and nutrition of vulnerable pregnant women and young children in Somalia.
The development phase of the Better Lives for Somali Women and Children program was launched by the British Embassy in Mogadishu in collaboration with UNICEF, Mercy USA, Trocaire, Save the Children, Action Against Hunger and the Federal Government of Somalia.
This innovative programme is aimed at improving the lives of Somalia’s most vulnerable and is the UK’s flagship health and nutrition partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia. The United Kingdom pledged £38 million from October 2023 to September 2026 to support the Somali Government in various humanitarian and developmental movements.
At the launch of the UK-Somalia Strategic Partnership in November 2023, healthiness was recognised as the highest precedence by the UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, and the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This shows that the United Kingdom remains a dedicated and unique partner to Somalia.
Better Lives aims to provide essential health and nutrition services for helpless women and children. This assistance includes immunisation, mother and infant care, treatment of malnutrition and typical childhood diseases like diarrhoea and pneumonia. Additionally, Better Lives seeks to enhance the ability of provincial and district health management, promoting them to effectively harmonise and lead assistance delivery.
By doing so, Better Lives anticipates to decrease in the number of women dying from difficulties associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Moreover, it strives to lessen newborn mortality swiftness pushed by malnutrition and illness. The Mogadishu launch occasion was attended by Minister for Health H.E. Dr Ali Haji Adan, the Director General for Health, and other Somali Government spokespeople.
Speaking at the launch event in Mogadishu, British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis stated that, “Better Lives is our flagship and innovative health and nutrition programme, which will improve lives for Somalia’s most vulnerable women and children. We’re delighted to be working hand in hand with our partners UNICEF and the Federal Government of Somalia. Better Lives will mean fewer women dying of complications related to pregnancy and birth and fewer infants and babies dying as a result of malnutrition and disease. I can’t think of a worthier goal.”
Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF’s Representative, also welcomed the initiative saying that, “Somalia’s efforts to reduce maternal and child deaths are complicated by chronic conflict and climate change, which is causing population displacements and disease outbreaks. Through this programme, we will strengthen the capacity of the health system to provide lifesaving services while prioritising the most vulnerable. We will strive to ensure that quality support is provided to targeted individuals and that no mother or child is left behind.”
Better Lives aspires to enhance healthcare services in Somalia with the help of associates such as the World Bank, GFATM, Gavi, bilateral donors, and the Federal Government. The initiative intends to reach 4 million vulnerable Somalis by 2026, delivering entry to crucial healthcare assistance across six provinces and 15 precincts. The UK is also backing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration in its shift to Universal Health Coverage and the enactment of its nationwide health and nutrition policy framework.
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