Opinion: In the Battle Against COVID-19, Women Make Somalia Stronger

May 1, 2020 | Deqa Yasin Hagi Yusuf
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Brave health workers. Brilliant researchers. Responsible leaders. Solidarity. Around the world, the COVID-19 crisis reveals what makes us strong. But it also highlights what makes us fragile.

In Somalia, this includes two decades of conflict, frequent droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks. These challenges have weakened our health system. Multiple hazards have also forced many people to flee their homes, with more than 2 million currently living in camps where physical distancing is difficult and access to clean water is limited.

Somali culture — our focus on community and helping one another through trying times — has been a source of strength in confronting these hardships. However, during this pandemic, it will be hard to prevent our people from visiting friends and relatives, especially if they are sick. All of these characteristics make Somalia’s response to COVID-19 highly complex and demanding.