World Vision Canada

Published purpose

March 2014 - According to the United Nations, 3 million people in Somalia (between 35-40% of the population) will require some form of international humanitarian assistance in 2014. Conflict, insecurity, and drought have left more than 1 million Somalis internally displaced within the country and a further 1 million living in neighbouring countries as refugees. Planned efforts to return either of these groups to their homes, while providing access to food, shelter, and safe water and sanitation, will require significant international support. Malnutrition rates, particularly among children, remain some of the highest in the world, well above the emergency threshold of 15%, and the decision, in August 2013, of MSF to cease operations in Somalia has severely limited access to proper medical care for already extremely vulnerable populations. With support from DFATD, World Vision Canada is helping to meet the needs of Somalis affected by conflict and drought in the Gedo region in south-western Somalia. Specific activities include the operation of mobile health clinics, the establishment or rehabilitation of water points, the provision of agricultural inputs to support livelihoods, and the operation of youth centres to promote child protection.