FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KISMAYO, Somalia, February 7, 2025 — The Caafimaad Plus Consortium is launching an emergency cholera response in Kismayo today. The intervention is funded by EU Humanitarian Aid and the British Embassy Mogadishu through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) crisis modifier, and will deliver rehydration care while working to contain the spread of acute watery diarrhea across the district.
Kismayo now has Somalia’s highest cholera caseload. Shallow household wells built too close to latrines have contaminated local water sources, and high malnutrition rates combined with recent conflict displacement have deepened the crisis. Nearly half of all patients are young children.
Action Against Hunger is running the Kismayo Cholera Treatment Center, while fellow consortium member Trocaire is operating a Cholera Treatment Center in Luglow village to reach riverine communities. Both organizations are deploying mobile teams for case finding and referrals across their respective areas. Action Against Hunger is also setting up five Oral Rehydration Points in hotspot neighborhoods, including Alanley and Farjano, to treat mild cases close to home and refer severe cases to the CTC.
Teams are also chlorinating community water points to secure safe drinking water. Newly trained Community Health Workers will track the outbreak and run hygiene education through household visits and local radio.
“Tackling a complex outbreak like this requires a strong partnership approach,” said Dr. Mohamed Sheikh Omar of Action Against Hunger. “By working with the Ministry of Health and consortium partners, we are maximizing our resources to save lives and stop transmission at the community level.”
Field teams will screen children and mothers for acute malnutrition and refer them to therapeutic programs backed by pre-positioned supplies. The response also includes community sessions on child protection and gender-based violence, so families get coordinated support on every front.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ahmed Issack Hussein
Communication and Advocacy Coordinator
Caafimaad Plus Consortium
Email: aihussein@so-actionagainsthunger.org
Website: www.caafimaad-plus.org
