Dear John,

As we near the end of our appeal focusing on nutrition and the impact of the climate crisis in Somaliland, we talk to Mohamoud Ali Bullale in our new online article 'Advocating for Health Justice: Hear from our Country Director in Somaliland on the Climate Crisis and Healthcare Challenges'. 

Bullale, as he’s known among his team, has worked with Health Poverty Action (HPA) since 2013 and his commitment to improving health and livelihoods in Somaliland is clear:

"This is my community, so I support the health workers, the facilities and HPA."

Furthermore, he is passionate about representing communities’ needs when engaging with government officials and donors:

"Sometimes we are closer to the community than the government, so sometimes we get first-hand information from the community and challenge those in power. So, we talk to the government, and they might not agree, but we have to advocate for our people."

Bullale explains "Climate phenomena over recent years have made it hard for people to find water and grass for animals to graze. The rains failed for the last four rainy seasons. A swarm of locusts devastated Sahil region from June to September of 2022, destroying the crops and grass that existed."

As people's livelihoods and food sources are devastated by the climate crisis, many people living in rural Somaliland have sought refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. Unfortunately, people living in these camps continue to face challenges, with basic facilities like healthcare centres, trained staff, and essential supplies remaining scarce.

38 of the 48 health facilities we have supported through our nutrition programme in Somaliland have been in IDP camps. We work alongside the Ministry of Health to strengthen healthcare systems throughout the country while engaging communities to ensure these systems serve their needs in the long term.

Supporters like you enable us to engage with communities in the long term to tackle longstanding issues and improve people's health. Please make a regular donation today - whatever you can give will contribute to building a healthier world, one step at a time.

In solidarity,

Ella Ronan,

Communications Assistant

P.S. If you already make a regular donation and would like to increase the amount please contact us by phone at 020 7840 3777 or via email at [email protected]