Human Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases Center
Somalia has been affected by two decades of civil war and the situation worsened by prolonged droughts. The conflict and natural disasters caused structural food insecurity, internal population displacements and extreme poverty. Moreover, as a consequences of civil war, the phenomena of malnutrition affected the vulnerable groups such as mothers, infants, young children, adolescent girls and women as well as population as a whole. The malnutrition in Somalia obstacles inclusive development and weakens the overall prosperity of the nation. It also constitutes a violation of basic children’s right to survive and restricts development and highest achievable standard of health.
Based on seasonal assessment conducted by food security and nutrition analysis unit (FSNAU) in 2016 showed, the burden of malnutrition among children under age of 5 is 944,000 cases, including 185,000 who are severely malnourished. To improve nutritional status among vulnerable groups in Somalia through evidence based research is number one priority to SPHR. This centre is in line with national development plans (NPP) and strives to address the underline causes of acute and chronic malnutrition and contribute to the reduction of child and maternal mortality and morbidity. The centre is versioned to contribute the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and World Health Assembly resolution and Global Nutrition Targets for 2025.
The overall objectives of Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases Centre
- To identify various dietary and nutrition problems among different segments of the population in the country
- To continuous research diet and nutrition situation of the country
- To propose and involve methods of management and prevention of nutritional problems
- To conduct operational and informative research connected with planning and implementation of national nutrition programmes
- To dovetail nutrition research with other health programmes of the country
- Human resource development in the field of nutrition
- To disseminate nutrition information
- To research nutrition related diseases such as life style and non-communicable diseases
- To advise governments and other organisations on issues relating to nutrition.