The Somali Regional State of Ethiopia has a total population of 10.13 million with 85% being pastoralists. The pastoral community in the Somali Region is mainly affected by preventable diseases which are transmitted between humans and animals (zoonotic diseases) and nutritional disorders. This is compounded by inadequate access to affordable and quality health care services to the community. The health system lacks capacity to provide the minimum level of primary health care. Due to its geographical location bordering Somalia, Northern Kenya and Djibouti and mobility of pastoralists in the region with their livestock, the potential for infectious diseases transmission between and among humans and livestock is high. Poor indicators in nutrition and food security, low access to potable water poor access to market and degraded rangelands also characterize the challenge in the Somali Region.  

To address these multi-faceted health challenges in pastoral areas, an integrated one health approach to human, animal and environmental health has proven to be highly relevant. 

Capacity Building: A total of 71 persons (40 women) from Jiijiga University, University of Hargeisa and Somalia National University are targeted to be trained at PHD and MSc level at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, within Jijiga University and other universities in Ethiopia. In addition 787 staff (430 women) from Somali Region sector bureau, Jijiga University, university of Hargeisa, health extension workers, community animal health workers and community members  will receive short-term trainings in different topics such as project management, diagnosis and management of diseases in the human-animal interface. 

Communities: a total of 2,000 households in 3 localities will benefit from the community level interventions to be piloted and scaled-up.  

1. Jijiga University becomes a center of excellence in One-Health and contributes to the building of health research capacity of University of Hargeissa and National University of Somalia.

2. Successful innovative One-Health interventions contribute to improved human, animal, and environmental health 

3. Sectoral policies at national and regional level are more integrated and informed by evidences generated from the local level.  

Risultati principali attesi:  

- Jijiga University takes more ownership of JOHI project through improved effective and efficient project management skills. 

- The research and development partnership strengthened in the Horn of Africa between Jijiga University and universities of Hargeisa and Somalia. 

- Fully operational and accredited one-health laboratory within Jijiga University.

- At least 4 innovative one-health interventions piloted at small scale to inform public service delivery and facilitate scale up by the local government.  

- National and local level policy dialogue takes the one-health perspective in the pastoralist communities into account.  

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

The first phase of the JOHI has led to the following key achievements:

- Jigiga Universiy has established a strong onehealth team (18 in number) within Jijiga

University through PHD and MSc training at Swiss Tropical Public Health Institute in Basel. 

- The Jigia University established a one-health MSc curriculum. 

- The Jijiga Univerity establishe a one-health laboratory, which also served as the only  COVID-19 lab for the Somali Region of Ethiopia. 

- Operational research on aspects linked to public service delivery were conducted. As one result, an integrated rangelands and disease surveillance site was established, which resulted in improved collaboration between human health, animal health and rangeland health practitioners at the local level.