Hope Through Lifesaving Humanitarian Support in Somalia
When the El Niño floods struck Hirshabelle State, Somalia, in November 2023, thousands of families, including Asha Mohamed’s, were left struggling to survive. Asha, a 40-year-old mother of nine (seven boys and two girls), was among those displaced and forced to seek refuge in Baalguri IDP camp in Jowhar district, Somalia. Her family faced dire conditions with scarce access to essential services, including health care, food and clean water.
“Life became challenging after the floods. My children fell sick, and I had no money to buy medicine or take them to a proper health facility,” Asha recalls.
Asha, a participant in the NextGen project, enjoys precious moments with her children thanks to the program's intervention, which has significantly improved their lives and health.
Recognizing the urgent humanitarian crisis, World Vision International (WVI), in collaboration with the Hirshabelle Ministry of Health (MoH), launched the NextGen Project in July 2024 to provide lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable communities. Through an emergency integrated mobile health and nutrition team, WVI delivered primary health care, nutrition services, and behavioral change communication to displaced families like Asha’s.
“Two of my children suffered from severe head inflammation and became very sick. I was helpless, but when World Vision’s team arrived, they provided them with medical assistance and other life-saving essentials. Soon after, they started to recover,” Asha said.
The mobile health and nutrition teams conducted routine screenings in Baalguri and other IDP sites, including Jilyale, Sh. Oyaaye, and Daryeel, reaching 1,165 children under five (441 girls and 309 boys) and 501 pregnant and lactating mothers. Of those screened, 273 children (161 girls and 112 boys) were diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and referred to specialized nutrition programs, while 128 children (83 girls and 45 boys) suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) were enrolled in outpatient therapeutic programs (OTP).
Additionally, 884 women attended awareness sessions on nutrition, infant and young child feeding (IYCF), and care practices, while 1,056 individuals (202 women and 174 men) participated in health education sessions covering topics such as hygiene promotion, disease prevention, and the importance of immunizations.
For Asha, the impact of the project has been profound.
Asha, a participant in the NextGen project, enjoys precious moments with her children thanks to the program's intervention, which has significantly improved their lives and health.
“I didn’t have any money to buy proper medicine, but now World Vision has made sure my children get the treatment they need. I feel so grateful and relieved,” she said.
Beyond medical assistance, WVI’s NextGen project continues to monitor and support displaced families, ensuring that no one is left behind.
“The team checks on us regularly to make sure we are receiving the help we need. Knowing that we are not alone in this struggle gives me hope. We're grateful,” Asha expressed her gratitude.
Through the NextGen project, World Vision is not just responding to emergencies—it is helping communities rebuild, recover and regain their dignity after enduring the devastating impacts of floods, droughts and conflict-induced displacement.