From Melbourne to Mudug: A medical mission to Somalia

A powerful partnership between the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington, the Somali community, Rotary Donations in Kind and The Rotary Foundation has delivered lifesaving medical aid to more than 40,000 people in conflict-affected Somalia.

Following a successful trial 10 years ago, the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington, Vic, has partnered with the Somali community, Rotary Donations in Kind and The Rotary Foundation for a major medical aid project in Puntland, Somalia.

Still severely affected by conflict, drought and famine, the 40,000 people of the Jariban district, Mudug Province, have little medical aid. Current figures suggest that the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people is 0.87. The country falls considerably behind its neighbours and most conflict-torn nations in terms of population health indices due to decades of political instability. The inadequate number of health workers, facilities and health services are reflected in the healthcare system.

The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington was asked to help.

Without a local Rotary club to work with, Flemington Kensington Rotarian Dr Abdiwahid Hassan partnered with Chancellor of the Jariban International University Dr Sayid Abdille Hassan and the Minister of Health to develop and implement a plan to improve medical aid in Jariban.

Two years in the making, and based on an extensive wish list of medical items, the project would not have been feasible without a grant from The Rotary Foundation and a significant financial contribution from members of the Somali diaspora in Melbourne.

Flemington Kensington members worked with Rotary Donations in Kind managers Laurie Fisher and Frank Dri to source and collect equipment, pull materials from stock, clarify and finalise the wish list, purchase a container and obtain a shipping berth.

In Jariban, Dr Sayid Abdille Hassan worked with hospital Rector Dr Farhan Abdirahman Farah and government, customs and port authorities to enable a smooth transition through a region still in conflict with ISIS rebels.

On 27 August 2024, the 40-foot shipping container was loaded at Donations in Kind, with leaders of the Somali community, Mr Yasin Farah, Ms Sareeyo Abdisamad and others assisting the team in the Tetris-like feat of fitting in all the equipment.

Fifty-five beds and mattresses, two dialysis machines and chairs donated by the Austin Hospital, 35 wheelchairs, an operating table, two patient lifting hoists and sacks, two autoclaves, six cots, six medication trolleys, multiple blood pressure and patient monitors, IV poles, crutches, microscopes, CPR dummies, cupboards and 106 cartons of medical consumables were all squeezed in along with 40 university desks and chairs and 16 cartons of stationery.

We don’t pay to ship air, so we filled every nook and cranny,” said then club president Lesley McCarthy.

The journey was challenging.

The container was shipped from Melbourne to Dubai, from Dubai to Bosasso, and then by truck to Jariban – some 19,800kms. The journey took seven months from loading to arrival and cost more than $27,000. On top of distance, time and costs, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury required additional diligence for any grants due to sanctions.

Finally, on 27 March 2025, the container arrived at Jariban, where it was met with celebration and excitement. A formal ceremony was held on 29 March, attended by the Mayor, the Rector of the hospital, the Chancellor of the University, Chief of Police, community leaders and those who had assisted with fundraising.

Flemington Kensington members Lesley McCarthy, Peter Cribb and Abdiwahid Hassan connected via Zoom and were thrilled to see the joy on the faces of those present and their delight at the donations. The opening of the container doors was met with cheering and applause as boxes tumbled out onto the red dirt.

Over the next week, the container was unpacked and items were directed to the appropriate location for cleaning and dusting after the lengthy journey.

More than 40,000 people now have access to additional medical equipment and supplies.

The dialysis machines are in use providing treatment for the first time. The extra beds mean patients no longer lay on the floor for treatment and the wheelchairs, four-wheel walking frames and crutches provide a lifeline for those impacted by mobility issues.

The children’s cots and a humidicrib have strengthened paediatric services. Bandages, sanitiser, burns kits, dressings, forceps and scissors, sutures and eye washes are just some of the additional items now being used to help the hundreds of patients. An additional operating table helps with surgeries, while surgical dressings, sheets and scrubs provide hygiene measures.

Despite the challenges, hurdles and logistics, the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington found a way to benefit a community in need.

We are diverse, and we know that when we bring together people of different backgrounds, we think of better ideas and more effective ways to serve our community and the world,” said Lesley.

For more information, contact Lesley McCarthy via Lillico2009@gmail.com