QRC opens nutrition centre in Somalia

Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has opened a therapeutic nutrition centre at the Badbaado refugee camp in Dharkenley District, southwestern Mogadishu, Somalia.

Costing about QR500,000, the project will provide medical and therapeutic nutrition services for malnourished patients, particularly children, and treat different types of malnutrition in accordance with international standards and the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

It comprises a clinic and a kitchen to serve nutritious meals to malnourished children and their mothers.

It is expected to help around 7,500 children at the refugee camp, which is one of the largest in the capital, accommodating more than 4,000 families displaced from the southern parts of the country due to the drought and clashes.

Adam Mohamed Omar, Mayor, Dharkenley District, opened the centre in the presence of Ali Sheikh, representative, Somali Red Crescent Society, Elias Mohamed Al Sheikh from Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Office in Somalia, Mohamed Shafie Al Badawi, Director, Physicians Across Continents Office in Somalia, representatives of the Ministry of Health and community leaders and members.

“The project will benefit displaced people at Badbaado camp which suffers bad conditions and lacks health services.

“I urge Islamic and international organisations to follow suit and help the displaced people by launching health and development projects for them,” said Omar.

QRC’s health activities in Somalia include Afgooye Public Hospital, the specialist centre for tropical diseases, Mareerey and Awdheegle health centres in Lower Shabelle and Balad Health Centre in Central Shabelle.

The QRC Office in Somalia is preparing to open another therapeutic nutrition centre in the Banaadir region in the southeast to control the increasing incidence of malnutrition at refugee camps.