The Health, Economic and Social Impact of Covid-19 in Somalia
Somalia is facing a severe threat from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on account of its fragile economy and health institutions. As already indicated by the increasing cases and deaths related to COVID-19, if this trend continues Somalia`s weak healthcare system, which is far below most developing countries’ standards, will be set back severely. Somalia`s capacity to manage the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health threat is a cause for a serious concern. The Country’s health infrastructure has been severely undermined by decades of conflict and fragility of the state. In particular, the health sector suffers from lack of resources, infrastructure, and equipment, medicines, and qualified health personnel. The healthcare system institutions and facilities to address the spread of COVID-19 are lacking. This is compounded by a huge numbers of Internally Displaced People (IDPs), prevalent food insecurity and lack of social safety nets; including access to income support, unemployment insurance, and disaster preparedness and prevention.
