Somali Joint Health and Nutrition Programme (JHNP)

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

In September 2013, Finland joined the international partners in support of the reconstruction of Somalia. The New Deal Compact for Somalia lays the foundation for Finland's commitment in Somalia. The main objective of the project is to improve the health and nutrition status of the Somali population. As a result of this, maternal and infant mortality is reduced. The project will also support the institutional development of the Somali health care system. The primary beneficiaries of the project are women, girls and children whose access to health services is relatively the weakest. The total number of the beneficiaries is approximately 3.4 million people. The target area covers the three areas of Somalia whilst the delivery of essential health care services focuses on the following nine regions: Lower Juba, Galgadud and Banadir (Central and South Somalia); Nugal, Mudug and Bari (Puntland) and Togdheer, Awdal and Sanaag (Erigavo & El-Afweyn districts) (Somaliland). The secondary beneficiaries are the health officials and professionals. In Somalia, the implementation risks are high. The biggest risks relate to the difficult security situation, access to health services, and the ability of the health care personnel to work in their respective areas. The JHNP programme has a carefully prepared risk analysis, which is updated at least every six months. The implementation of the project is carried out by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA. The program has a budget of 236 MUSD in 2014-2016 of which Finland's contribution is 12.5 MEUR.