February 7, 2012 - On Friday, the UN declared an end to famine conditions in Somalia but warned that the region remains in dire need of humanitarian relief and could slip back into famine without appropriate intervention.

Since famine conditions were officially declared more than six months ago, International Medical Corps has been providing a comprehensive response throughout Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, implementing supplementary feeding sites; nutrition interventions; water, sanitation and hygiene awareness campaigns; and training programs for local health workers to ensure sustainable solutions.

"Famine conditions are no longer present," said a statement from the office of Mark Bowden, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. "Millions of people still need food, clean water, shelter and other assistance to survive and the situation is expected to deteriorate in May."

The UN said the current harvest would provide just 10 to 20 percent of this year's food needs. It warned food stocks could run out in May, leaving millions at the brink of starvation. While continuing to provide lifesaving help, International Medical Corps is also strengthening local capacity through training programs so vulnerable communities in this drought and hunger-prone region are better able to cope going forward.

SOMALIA - International Medical Corps is one of the few humanitarian relief organizations operational inside Somalia, where we are responding to emergency nutrition and water and sanitation needs in the Galgadud region as well as Somaliland. In the Sool and Sanaag regions of Somaliland, International Medical Corps is running six outpatient therapy sites to identify, prevent, and treat malnutrition. Since May, more than 5,000 pregnant and lactating mothers have received micronutrient supplements and more than 16,800 children have been screened for malnutrition, 839 of whom are now enrolled in one of our six outpatient sites for further care.

Through a $750,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, International Medical Corps is expanding nutrition activities and integrated water and sanitation interventions in Sool and Sanaag, including nutritional screenings, referrals, micronutrients supplements, and vaccinations. International Medical Corps will also be training traditional birth attendants, local leaders, and other community members on the importance of breastfeeding. To reach more populations in need, we are also looking to re-establish a presence in southern Somalia and, through a partnership with the World Food Program we intend to reach 142,500 people throughout the region with supplementary feeding programs.

ETHIOPIA - International Medical Corps is supporting Somali refugees in the Dolo Ado camps in Ethiopia where we are providing both blanket and supplementary feeding programs, allowing us to deliver targeted care for those who are malnourished, and also protect those who are at-risk by giving them basic food items. We are also building latrines and hand-washing stations, distributing soap and jerry cans, and educating communities on the importance of hygiene. Because displacement and camp conditions can increase women and girls to sexual violence exposure, International Medical Corps is also working to prevent and respond to existing cases of gender-based violence by training community members and establishing a referral and case management system.

KENYA - In the Dadaab complex in Kenya, home to 443,000 Somali refugees, security incidents have severely restricted response measures to only lifesaving interventions. The Government of Kenya and international actors continue to process for solutions to improve the security and service delivery. In partnership with AmeriCares, International Medical Corps is building a field hospital in Dadaab in the newest camp, Kambioos. Housing a maternal and nutritional care, the field hospital will provide vital and comprehensive health services. In Samburu, Isiolo, Tana River and Laikipia districts, International Medical Corps has been working in partnership with UNICEF to deliver high-impact nutrition interventions in existing health facilities and at the community level. We will be expanding existing programs to reach a larger target population with critical nutrition services including supplementary feeding, outpatient therapeutic feeding and provision of nutrition supplies including Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods, vitamins and oil.

Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance.