Somalia

The MENTOR Initiative’s Response

The MENTOR Initiative has conducted its first Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) training for the Sub Recipients of Global Fund Malaria in Somalia. The six day training in Hargiesa, Somaliland for participants from Puntland, Somaliland and South Central Zone allowed partners to develop the basic foundations surrounding epidemic preparedness and response for malaria and to start the concept of the EPR plan for Somalia.  

The MENTOR Initiative is working with partners to map resources and malaria transmission patterns, and to identify gaps in both resources and knowledge to start the malaria EPR plans. Further training will be implemented to ensure that health staff is trained on epidemic detection and response, with initial focus on known epidemic districts and in sentinel sites of malaria surveillance and reporting. Strengthening of surveillance within the framework of the HMIS, especially in epidemic or outbreak prone districts and villages, should allow for quicker detection of abnormal rises of fever and malaria cases.