The Joint Resilience Programme (JRP), which is a collaborative initiative led by the Federal Government of Somalia, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) aiming to enhance resilience among households and communities facing economic and climate-related challenges, continues to play a crucial role in improving the health of young Somali children.
Funded by the German government through KfW Development Bank with an initial allocation of EUR 30 million, the programme targets one million people in regions including North and South Galkayo, Galdogob, and Dhusamareb over an 18-month period.
In Bula Bisharo, Galkayo, children are currently receiving lifesaving nutrition support as part of the JRP initiative. The initiative focuses on increasing access to inclusive, child-friendly education, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools, and enhancing health and nutrition services for children at pre-primary and primary levels. It also aims to reduce micronutrient deficiencies among young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women, and to improve food security and livelihoods through diversified agricultural production and income generation.
The programme’s implementation is overseen by the Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, in collaboration with relevant state ministries, district and local authorities, and non-governmental organizations. This coordinated effort ensures that children in areas like Bula Bisharo receive the necessary care and support for a strong start in life.
Previous phases of the JRP have yielded significant results, including a reduction in acute malnutrition rates among children under five years from 13% in 2019 to about 10% in 2022, and the operation of 100 treatment centers to address acute malnutrition. Additionally, 95% of the 45,000 children in schools supported by the programme have remained in school, with 35,000 benefiting from nutritious school meals.
These efforts underscore the commitment of the Somali government and its partners to building resilient communities and ensuring the well-being of children in regions like Bula Bisharo.
