Bariire, Lower Shabelle – In the heart of Bariire, a small town in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, dozens of families gathered under makeshift tents this week as the Somali National Armed Forces’ medical team arrived to offer much-needed healthcare services. The outreach brought a rare moment of relief to residents who have long lived with limited access to medical care due to years of insecurity and poor infrastructure.
The team, composed of military doctors, nurses, and medical technicians, conducted health screenings, distributed essential medicines, and treated a range of illnesses — from respiratory infections and malaria to minor injuries. For many residents, it was their first medical check-up in months.
Bariire, located about 60 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, sits in a region that has endured recurring conflict and displacement. Health facilities are scarce, and the few that exist often face shortages of medicine and staff. The army’s humanitarian mission was therefore not only about medicine but also about restoring trust and strengthening the bond between the military and the communities they protect.
Local elders and parents expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that it eased the suffering of many children and elderly people who could not afford to travel to distant health centers. The operation also focused on preventive care — offering health education sessions on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention, aiming to reduce the spread of preventable illnesses.
The initiative forms part of the Somali National Armed Forces’ broader civic engagement program, which seeks to support communities recovering from conflict while contributing to stabilization and peacebuilding efforts. By combining security operations with compassion and care, the army’s medics in Bariire offered more than treatment — they brought a sense of hope to a community determined to rebuild its future.