With the growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the no of Yemeni refugees crossing to Djibouti, to the town of Obock seeking for safety, has increased dramatically.
Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) has been at the fore-front of the crisis, providing healthcare, nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention and capacity development services since it started its operation in Djibouti in the year 2015.
During the month of October 2016, AHA Markazi health center outpatient department has assisted 850 patients. 113 were children under five (58 female; 55 male); and 737 over the age of five (311 female; 426 male). AHA has also provided antenatal, postnatal, family planning consultations and delivery services to refugees. Vaccinations were also conducted benefiting 20 refugees.
To address the challenges of malnutrition and to fight against acute watery diarrhea, AHA Djibouti organizes campaigns and sensitization programmer. Sensitization activities during the month October included: reiterate to camp leaders on referral procedures; importance of family planning and vaccinations, and hygiene and hand washing.
Furthermore, House-to-House visits of chronic patients were conducted for follow up and to observe the current health status of refugees. To this end, patients were visited and provided with medication.
AHA has also continued monitoring the malnutrition status of refugees and screens new families for health upon arrival in Obock.
As part of the supplementary food program, AHA in the month of October 2016 has distributed 160g oil, 80g sugar and 800g wheat to 135 children, 11 pregnant and 21 lactating mothers. Under the blanket feeding programme, 540 sachets of 1.5kg WSB++ were distributed for all the children under the age of five. A total number of 160 households were also sensitized on nutrition and health education.
Source: AHA Djibouti