What We Do
Arthur Nazaryan, Delphin Films
Our Approach
DHAF is continuing to carry on the legacy of Dr. Hawa Abdi, by supporting inspiring leaders in the Horn of Africa who are providing critical services to vulnerable populations. We do this by providing funding and technical support to grassroots organizations who are pioneering solutions in primary healthcare services delivery, crisis response, and public health education and capacity-building.
Where we work
Our work is focused on the Horn of Africa, and on Somalia and Somaliland in particular. Our founder, Dr. Hawa Abdi, was born in Somalia, and she devoted her life to expanding access to high-quality healthcare, education, and other services to Somalis.
Currently, our efforts are allowing people on the ground to provide critical health services in rural Somalia and Somaliland. — in areas that have historically been neglected by other humanitarian organizations.
The Need
Somalia and the Horn of Africa face critical challenges in healthcare, education, adapting to the climate crisis, and other areas. This is exacerbated by decades of underinvestment by the international community in Somalia. Women and children are at particular risk as a result of gaps in the healthcare system.
of Somalis lack access to basic health care.
This means that most of the Somali population – and almost all people in rural areas – do not see a doctor or nurse for basic physical check-ups, preventive or palliative care, let alone treatment of chronic and preventable diseases.
There are 621 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in Somalia, and rates of birth complications are also high. This rate is so high in large part because high-quality healthcare is inaccessible to the majority of Somali women. 75% of Somali women do not have access to prenatal health care, and under 50% have help from medical professionals in childbirth.
have been displaced because of climate shocks.
Climate-related disasters, like the paralyzing 2017 drought Somalia experienced, have left more than 3.5 million people in rural areas and internally displaced people (IDP) camps food-insecure, compounding health concerns, malnutrition, poverty, and violence.
OUR FOCUS AREAS
DHAF’s focus areas all further our goals of providing funding and capacity-building support to on-the-ground efforts to advance high-quality healthcare, education, and other services to those most in need in Somalia and the surrounding region. Learn more below!
