1. 15th Annual Meeting of the IAWG on RH in crisis
25-27th February 2015,Oman ,Jordan.
Emergency preparedness and response to pregnancy and child birth complication through MHs in Central Somalia.
Abdikadir Mohamed Dahir
Health Coordinator/WARDI NGO.

2. Humanitarian Situation in Somalia
Somalia has been in a state of armed conflict for over 20 years which was compounded by natural disasters including famine, recurrent droughts, flooding and cyclone
Somalia has faced complex and serious humanitarian crisis over the last two and half decades.
an estimated number of 3.1 million people (including 300,000 women) remain in stress and need for humanitarian assistance. (January 2015)

3. Maternal &Neonatal health in Somalia
Maternal health is one of the major health challenge in Somalia ; Maternal infant mortality in Somalia is one of the highest in the world With an infant mortality rate currently estimated 132/1,000 live births and MMR of 1,600/100,000 live births(WHO,2012)
Increasing numbers of IDPS, Violence, food insecurity and continued conflict hinder access to basic health care which is almost fragmented.

4. Community Engagement in MNH
WARDI is Local NGO operating in Somalia particularly targets the most vulnerable members of the society mainly women and children by providing services including Health, WASH and Protection.
In 2012, WARDI organization in partnership with UNFPA support a project on emergency response to pregnancy and child birth complications in IDPs and host communities through community engagement to establish Maternity Homes at IDP camps in South and Central Somalia.
WARDI/UNFPA established seven MH in Mogadishu and Hiran regions.

5. Maternity Home (MH)
Maternity Home is a temporary structure in the IDP camps where Pregnant women receive safe delivery ,referral for complications and counseling.
Maternity Home is community approach strategy to response complication of pregnancy and child birth at community level by increasing access to maternal health services through MH and outreach services.

6. Service Flow at MH
Health promoter :Provides counseling and enrolls pregnant women in the community
Midwife: Provides safe delivery in MWH and Refers complicated cases to hospital
CHC Committee :Select health promoters and provides logistic support fro referral and offer the accommodation of MWH

8. Community Engagement
WARDI as community based NGO works directly with beneficiaries to promote participation and community involvement in the project planning, implementation , monitoring and evaluation.
WARDI supported establishment of CHC consist of 3men and 2women to increase ownership ,accountability and sustainability of MH interventions.
CHC provided space of MH, security and logistic support.

9. Achievements through MHs
From January 2014 to January 2015,MH provided consultation of pregnant women (increased 25% of consultation in 2013)
2630 delivered at MH while 220 pregnancy and childbirth complications were identified and referred for further management and care.
7died in or on the way to hospitals

10. Evaluation findings 2013
The number of funerals I have administered after this maternity waiting home came to our settlement have reduced very much which is a clear show of the positive change that has been created by the project; A religious leader in Rabitug/Nafis IDP camp.