World Vision Canada

Published purpose

Since the ouster, in December 2006, of the Union of Islamic Courts from power in Somalia by the Ethiopian-backed Transitional Federal Government, the humanitarian situation in the country has continued to deteriorate. The spreading conflict has newly displaced an estimated 600,000 people from Mogadishu and left up to 2 million, throughout southern Somalia, reliant on international assistance for food and other basic needs. Overall, an estimated 1,000,000 Somalis have been displaced from their homes. Key needs include food, water and sanitation, health care, shelter, and protection. This CIDA/World Vision Canada project is meeting the immediate health and water needs of populations in the area of Bay and Bakool in south central Somalia. The project focuses on emergency nutrition and water access. A Community-Based Therapeutic Care component aims to rehabilitate 10,000 children with acute malnutrition and to address malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women. Water provisioning, via the construction or rehabilitation of 40 shallow wells and 14 dams, provides water to 10,000 households throughout the year. To ensure appropriate sanitation for the population, this project includes the construction of 100 latrines. Community members are also being trained on effective sanitation and basic hygiene practices and behaviour.