The United Kingdom, in collaboration with UNICEF, has initiated a program aimed at enhancing the health and nutrition of vulnerable pregnant women and young children in Somalia.

The British Embassy in Mogadishu has officially launched the development phase of the "Better Lives for Somali Women and Children" program, partnering with UNICEF, Mercy USA, Trocaire, Save the Children, Action Against Hunger, and the Federal Government of Somalia. This innovative initiative, serving as the UK's primary health and nutrition partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia, seeks to uplift the lives of Somalia's most vulnerable populations.

With a committed pledge of £38 million spanning from October 2023 to September 2026, the UK remains steadfast in its support of the Somali Government across various humanitarian and developmental endeavors. Health emerged as a key priority during the launch of the UK-Somalia Strategic Partnership in November 2023, as articulated by UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, and Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The "Better Lives" program will deliver crucial health and nutrition services such as immunization, maternal and newborn care, and the treatment of malnutrition and common childhood illnesses like diarrhea and pneumonia to vulnerable women and children. Additionally, it aims to enhance the capacity of regional and district health authorities to effectively lead and coordinate service delivery. Through these efforts, Better Lives seeks to reduce maternal mortality rates and infant mortality rates attributed to malnutrition and diseases.

The launch event held in Mogadishu on April 29 was attended by notable figures including Somalia's Minister for Health, Dr. Ali Haji Adan, and other government representatives.

British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating that Better Lives represents a significant step towards improving the lives of Somalia's most vulnerable women and children through collaborative efforts with partners like UNICEF and the Federal Government of Somalia.

UNICEF's Representative, Wafaa Saeed, also commended the program, acknowledging the challenges posed by conflict and climate change in Somalia and emphasizing the importance of strengthening the health system to prioritize the most vulnerable populations.

Better Lives will involve support from various partners and donors, including the World Bank, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM), Gavi, and other bilateral donors, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia. The program aims to ensure access to critical healthcare services across six regions and 15 districts of Somalia, with the goal of reaching 4 million vulnerable Somalis by 2026.

Following a successful humanitarian phase from April 2022 to September 2023, which provided essential insights for program design and implementation, the development phase of Better Lives seeks to establish sustainable healthcare improvements for the long-term benefit of Somali women and children. Photo by Robbert van der Steeg from Nairobi, Kenya, Wikimedia commons.