Supporting integrated life-saving interventions through Mobile health and nutrition teams in Somali regions The Humanitarian Need Overview, (HNO) shows that there are 8,472,000 People in Need in 2020 in Ethiopia. From these, 2,400,000 (28.3%) are found in Somali region of which 500,000 IDPs and returnees living in semi-formal and informal settlements throughout the region. An estimated 143,675 children (6 months-5years) are also being treated for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) which represents 31percent of the total SAM caseload in the country (2019 HNO). Furthermore, the region is also prone to flooding and disease outbreaks. 
Timely and promptly responding to life-saving health and nutrition interventions including response to disease outbreaks is one of the public health emergency priorities. This has been very well reflected in the strategic objective of the 2020 humanitarian response plan document and health cluster objectives and results. Providing essential health care services through the existing mobile health and nutrition teams (MHNTs) in Somali region has been identified as one of the priorities of the health cluster intervention. As a result of ongoing cholera and measles outbreaks in the region and limited access to health services to large proportion of people in hard to reach areas, a situation aggravated with increased displacement (including conflict and drought-induced displacement). Thus, there is a critical need to continue delivering these life-saving and essential health and nutrition services to affected communities.

The overall objective of this project is the provision of life-saving and essential health and nutrition services to the affected vulnerable communities in 12 woredas. this is aligned with the cluster objective of providing accessible essential health services to targeted populations, focusing on the main causes of morbidity and sexual and reproductive health. Moreover, it is also in line with strategic response plan  SO2: 5.7 million most vulnerable crisis-affected people are supported with basic servicesSO2: 5.7 million most vulnerable crisis-affected people are supported with basic services

The project outcome and output are: 

Outcome - Internally displaced and vulnerable girls, boys, and pregnant women in targeted 12 woredas   have improved access to equitable preventive and curative health services including risk communication messages on  COVID 19

Output - Ensure continuity of essential PHC, inclusive of MNCH services, and risk communication messages on COVID 19 for vulnerable populations through the Mobile Health and Nutrition team in targeted 12 woredas.
Under this output, the project will provide essential primary health care services including nutrition services for the vulnerable populations using the Mobile Health and Nutrition Team. Moreover, health promotion and education messages will be transmitted/provided to affected communities to raise community awareness on health and nutrition issues and health service utilization, including risk communication messages on COVID-19.

The project will benefit 70000 internally displaced people and host communities (3,500 men, 14,100  women, 24,500 boys, and 27,900 girls.