Location: Kebri Dehar, Korahe, Somali regional state, Ethiopia

Situation:

The UN ranks Ethiopia among the lowest in the world in terms of human development. The conflict with Eritrea and the use of troops in Somalia have aggravated the economic situation, which was already very poor. A large proportion of the population depends on food aid and the shortage of health workers makes access to healthcare even more difficult. Doctors of the World UK's (DOW UK) project aims to strengthen the health system.

Activities:
To improve the healthcare provided in Kebri Dehar hospital and 19 health posts, the programme provides logistics support (refurbishing health facilities, providing medicines, improving hospital and health district management). The project aims to strengthen the health system, particularly through hygiene promotion activities, provision of obstetric and surgical services, vaccination, nutritional screening, setting up an emergency alert system and preparing for epidemics. A mobile clinic also provided services.

Outlook:
Since the end of 2008, access to Kebri Dehar's outlying rural areas has no longer been permitted. In 2010, the objective is to restart the programme in these outlying areas in order to improve access to primary healthcare.