A vital new initiative has been launched to expand access to maternal and child health services in drought-stricken regions of Kenya and Somalia, where rising malnutrition is endangering the lives of thousands of children.
The program is a partnership between Dahabshiil Group and Save the Children, and aims to leverage private remittance networks to support emergency healthcare for families suffering from hunger, water shortages, and displacement.
Malnutrition on the Rise Across Kenya and Somalia
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 18% of children under five in Kenya are stunted, 5% are wasted, and 10% are underweight—clear indicators of chronic and acute malnutrition affecting vulnerable populations nationwide.
The United Nations reports that over 12 million people in Kenya and Somalia are currently affected by prolonged drought.
In Kenya alone, more than 1.1 million women and children face acute malnutrition as food insecurity deepens.
Harnessing Mobile Remittances for Health Impact
The collaboration was officially launched in Nairobi, where Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale emphasized the government’s commitment to improving health equity.
“This partnership aligns with our goal of achieving universal health coverage by bringing essential services to drought-affected communities,” said Duale.
Abdirashid Duale, CEO of Dahabshiil, noted that the company will use its extensive mobile financial infrastructure to deliver cash transfers and health support to underserved areas.
“This partnership enables us to reach more mothers and children, especially those forced to travel long distances to receive basic treatment,” he said.
Humanitarian-Private Sector Collaboration: A Scalable Model
Save the Children UK CEO Moazzam Malik stressed the importance of innovative partnerships to tackle the growing humanitarian crisis across the Horn of Africa.
“Collaboration between humanitarian organizations and private sector actors is essential if we are to meet the escalating needs of children in crisis,” said Malik.
Mohamud Hassan, Save the Children’s Country Director in Somalia, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the new initiative will enable faster and more efficient delivery of health services in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
As climate-induced drought and displacement continue to impact millions in Kenya and Somalia, this innovative partnership between Dahabshiil Group and Save the Children offers a practical and scalable solution.
By merging humanitarian aid with mobile financial technology, the initiative is poised to improve maternal and child health outcomes where they are needed most.
