Mogadishu – Hundreds of mothers, children, and elderly residents in Middle Shabelle region are facing an escalating humanitarian crisis following the suspension of the DAMAL-CAAFIMAAD project and the expulsion of its implementing partner, ALIGHT, by the Hirshabelle State Authority.
The Hirshabelle State Ministry of Health, under the leadership of President Ali Guudlaawe Hussein, has abruptly terminated the World Bank-funded healthcare initiative, leaving over 750 health workers jobless and more than 500,000 citizens without access to essential healthcare. The decision has plunged the region into a dire situation, with the most vulnerable—women, children, and the elderly—bearing the brunt of this political manoeuvre.
Jimcay Osman Barrow, a mother of three from a village under Biyocade town, expressed her distress over the sudden loss of healthcare services. “The suspension of ALIGHT has taken away the only health support we had. It’s heartbreaking. They treated my kids several times without taking fees and sadly I’m eight months pregnant and don’t know where to go for help if my time to deliver the baby comes” she lamented. For nearly a year, ALIGHT provided crucial healthcare services in an area liberated from Al-Shabaab terrorist’s harsh rule, offering hope and stability to communities long deprived of basic medical care.
The Hirshabelle Ministry of Health accused ALIGHT of incompetence and poor service delivery, a claim starkly contradicted by records reviewed by Qalin News Network. Data indicates that ALIGHT consistently surpassed its service delivery targets, bringing vital healthcare to remote communities across Middle Shabelle districts and towns, including Jowhar, Balad, Qalimow, Warsheekh, Ceelmacaan, Mahadaay, Biyocade, and Caddale, among others.
The abrupt cessation of ALIGHT’s services has created a healthcare vacuum, endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens who benefited from the suspended healthcare services. The region now faces a devastating increase in maternal and infant mortality rates, alongside the resurgence of preventable diseases. “The absence of the vital health services can lead to catastrophic outcomes” warned a local midwife, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals. “DAMAL-CAAFIMAAD was a lifeline for elderly people, pregnant women and children. Now, due to corruption and greed, I can no longer help the mothers who need me most.”
The health ministry allegedly demanded a $2 million bribe from ALIGHT, which, when refused, resulted in a targeted campaign to undermine the services and ultimately expel the organization. “They were doing whatever it took to sabotage the project. It wasn’t about healthcare delivery; it’s about power and money,” the midwife added.
In an unsettling turn, Abdifitah Dahir Ubil, an ALIGHT staff member, was forcibly deported from Jowhar, despite being a Somali citizen. This action is widely seen as an act of political retribution, highlighting the deep-seated clan hegemony that continue to plague the region.
Dr. Hassan Abdinur Dheere, a native of Mahadaay town, condemned the authority’s decision, calling it a betrayal of the people’s trust. “The removal of ALIGHT doesn’t just threaten lives; it exposes the corrupt core of our leadership. As this crisis worsens, we urgently need the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene. The health and lives of hundreds of thousands hang in the balance.”
The Somalia Federal Authority ignored the reality on the ground, but it is imperative that those responsible for this disruption in healthcare delivery be held accountable for their actions. The decisions made by the Hirshabelle authorities have directly contributed to heightened maternal and infant mortality rates, and the resulting human suffering is immeasurable. Immediate steps must be taken to investigate and address the corruption and negligence that led to this crisis, ensuring that those involved face the consequences of their actions.
The current situation calls for a reversal of the suspension and the reinstatement of ALIGHT’s operations. The people of Middle Shabelle cannot afford to be deprived of life-saving healthcare due to corruption and/or political conspiracy. It is essential for the Hirshabelle authorities to prioritize the well-being of their citizens over personal gains, ensuring that every individual has access to the healthcare they desperately need.
