A double climate disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the humanitarian situation in Somalia. The country is also facing protection crises, the impact of election-related tensions, and the worst desert locust infestation. It is estimated that almost half of the population needs humanitarian assistance.

 

About 2.9 million people remain displaced from their homes across the country, while an estimated 1.8 million women of reproductive age require urgent sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in Somalia had reached 15,358 with 7,498 recoveries and 809 fatalities as of 29 July 2021. Supporting the continuity of essential and life-saving health and GBV services remain UNFPA’s key priority in 2021.

 

In July, UNFPA Somalia and its partners reached 66,836 persons with sexual and reproductive health services, 24,322 persons with prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV), including mental health and psychosocial support for women and girls.

 

UNFPA also reached 652 young people through youth-related activities. Furthermore, the capacity of UNFPA partners is strengthened to support the delivery of SRH and GBV services. Health facilities and mobile clinics are providing discreet services to support maternal and newborn health, birth-spacing options, and the clinical management of rape, responding to the increased needs required. Safe spaces for women, girls and young people and one-stop centres for survivors of GBV are offering mental health and psychosocial services.