Somalia - IOM, in close coordination with Somaliland’s Ministry of Health, has completed a first-ever training in fitness-to-travel medical procedures for Somaliland health workers, ahead of a large-scale resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
 
The training was conducted for doctors, nurses and midwives from Hargeisa’s Group Hospital, the Association of Midwives and Nurses of Somaliland, and Hargeisa’s Migration Response Center.
 
Next week, Somaliland’s Ministry of Health and IOM, in coordination with UNHCR, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the Danish Refugee Council, will conduct fitness-to-travel medical checks and provide medical assistance to 324 IDPs who are voluntarily returning to Baidoa in South Central Somalia from Hargeisa, Burao and Lasanod in Somaliland.
 
Somaliland hosts a significant number of Somalis from South Central areas who were displaced from their villages due to insecurity caused by raging conflicts between local militias. Some of the families being moved next week were uprooted more than 20 years ago.
 
The dignified and orderly voluntary return of migrants, including IDPs, is a core IOM activity worldwide. It includes medical screening to ensure that they are healthy enough to travel.
 
“Fitness-to-travel medical screening is important for the well-being of the migrants and the good health of host communities. Before this intervention, returnees were far more vulnerable to preventable diseases,” says IOM Somalia Health Programme Officer Dr. Samir Hadjiabduli.
 
IOM Somalia’s fitness-to-travel medical programme is funded by the Japanese government.

For more information please contact

Dr Samir Hadjiabduli
IOM Somalia
Tel +252 24686285
Email shadjiabduli@iom.int