Health and Education Sector Development through Skills and Knowledge Transfer in South Central Somalia

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.

The project aims to improve the capacity of public sector health and education institutions to provide quality services with special focus on vulnerable groups: women, children and youth through skills and knowledge transfer by the Somali diaspora. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to stabilization in South Central Somalia through increasing access to basic services (health and education) and creating employment opportunities for the youth. In addition, young Somalis will be placed in internship positions under the supervision of the diaspora experts at relevant institutions. The International Office for Migration is the implementing partner. After this additional funding of 220 000 EUR the total budget for the project will be 4 420 000 EUR for 2015-2019. The 220 000 EUR additional funding will be allocated to support the inclusion of Puntland regional administration to the project. All in all, seven diaspora experts will be assigned to build the capacity in Puntland's health sector. Puntland has benefited from a similar Finnish MFA-project since 2008. As the coordination of Puntland health sector has recently been increasingly aligned with the federal coordination structures it has become imperative to include Puntland into the project coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health. The results from previous MIDA projects have been encouraging. Evaluations have shown that Finnish-funded MIDA projects have strengthened the health sector capacity and sector's ability to produce quality services. For example, due to the project, child mortality has reduced significantly in supported institutions. In Puntland, a neonatal unit was established for the Garowe General Hospital with the support of the project. Prior to the project, infant mortality hovered at around 70 deaths per month in the hospital. The rate has since decreased to just three deaths in the last three months during the last quarter of 2016. In addition to the neonatal department, the paediatric and maternity ward in Garowe General Hospital have received assistance from the project. Similarly, in the Bossasso Central Hospital a haemodialysis unit was established during the previous phase of project. Further support has been given to Puntland Ministry of Health, as well as to health sector training institutions in strategy, policy and curriculum formation. The ongoing project and the additional funding of 220 000 EUR seeks to consolidate the achieved results.