Somaliland

All major risk factors for obstetric fistula, including inadequate prenatal care, malnutrition and early marriage, are present in Somaliland.

Why We Work in Somaliland

Situated in the Horn of Africa between Somalia and Ethiopia, Somaliland has made tremendous strides since the civil conflict that afflicted the region from the late 1970s through the early 1990s. Somaliland is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia; its self-proclaimed independence, however, remains unrecognized by any country or international organization. 

Because of this, our picture of maternal health in Somaliland comes from neighboring Somalia (which includes Somaliland in its data gathering) and reports from our partners in the field. The limited data available suggests a high rate of maternal mortality— which in turn indicates a high occurrence of childbirth injuries like obstetric fistula. 

With all major risk factors for fistula—including  inadequate prenatal care, malnutrition and early marriage—present in the country, improving access to both quality obstetric services and fistula treatment in Somaliland remains critical.

What You Help Us Do

We are investing in the following areas to build Somaliland’s in-country medical services and provide life-transforming surgery to as many women as possible:

Meet Our Partners

We identify local surgical teams in Somaliland already successfully treating women with fistula—and then work to amplify their efforts. 

What projects are we currently funding?

Who are our current partners?

Edna Adan Maternity Hospital

  • Location: Hargeisa
  • Partner Since: 2009

National Borama Fistula Hospital

  • Location: Borama
  • Partner Since: 2010
Who are our past partners?

Direct Relief

  • Location: Hargeisa
  • Partner In: 2009 – 2010
How much funding have we granted?

Below are funding totals since the start of each partnership.

Current Partners

  • Edna Adan Maternity Hospital: $875,911
  • National Borama Fistula Hospital: $2,103,276

Past Partners:

  • Direct Relief: $157,500

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