South Omo maternal and child health
South Omo, Ethiopia, has the highest rate of maternal mortality globally. One in every 100 pregnancies results in maternal -- and often child -- death.
Residents of South Omo are primarily nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralists who migrate looking for water and grazing land for their livestock. Access to medical facilities is severely limited and incompatible with the local way of life. The scarcity of water is a major cause of ill health.
Main objectives of the project
- Improve access to appropriate, quality health care for pastoralist mothers and children
- Increase access to clean water, sanitation awareness, and water source maintenance
- Increase understanding of health needs and cultural issues impacting the health of pastoralists in South Omo
- Train health extension workers in maternal and child health, including integrated management of childhood illnesses
- Support women’s empowerment by working with local community groups to promote women’s rights and prevent harmful traditional practices
Key achievements
- Mobile clinics have been established along migratory routes.
- Five boreholes, 10 water kiosks, and 15 latrines have been constructed to provide 75,000 people with access to safe water.
- We have trained 88 community health workers to conduct water, hygiene, and sanitation education.
- Locally developed health training materials are being used to mitigate the effects of water-borne diseases, particularly among children.
- We support women’s groups to establish small-business micro-finance activities.
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