×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Drought in Somaliland: Who’s at Risk?

Daryeel Maternity Hospital in Somaliland is serving those most impacted by the crisis – mothers and babies.

News

Maternal Health

An estimated 673,000 people in Somaliland are enduring an extreme state of drought and food insecurity and are unable to meet their minimum nutritional needs.

Pregnant women and newborns are acutely vulnerable, with dehydration and nutrient deprivation linked to a range of pregnancy-related complications including premature births and developmental delays.

The nine-year drought is exacerbating the region’s already high rates of maternal and newborn mortality.

To help address the crisis, a shipment of essential medical resources from Direct Relief arrived last week at the Daryeel Maternity Hospital in Tog Wajaale, Somaliland.

Dr. Mustafe Hoori, founder and director of the hospital, described the drought’s far-reaching effects on patients and the community at large. Malnutrition and anemia in Tog Wajaale are increasing, mostly among women and children who too rarely seek medical care.

“They tend to spend the only penny left in their hands for tomorrow’s meal,” said Dr. Hoori.

Daryeel Maternity Hospital serves a community that subsides primarily on livestock, but livestock populations have dwindled by as much as 70 in recent years due to the drought. That means less food and fewer profits from animals sold at the market.

It also means internal displacement, as families migrate from their pastoral and agricultural lands to urban camps.

Camp conditions can be particularly challenging for women, according to Dr. Hoori, and Daryeel Hospital is treating more and more women with reproductive and mental health issues. A lack of security in the camps can lead to rape and other forms of violence against women, and a lack of access to contraception and other health services results in higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

A lack of transportation also serves as an obstacle for accessing care. For women experiencing obstetric emergencies, that can be life threatening.

“We have a problem with delivering emergency cases from the surrounding and remote areas to my hospital,” said Dr. Hoori. “A badly needed ambulance could help us meet the needs of our patients and indeed would save many lives.”

Should drought conditions worsen, and if a national emergency response is called for, the team at Daryeel Hospital is committed to doing what it takes to meet the healthcare needs of mothers and children, including food distribution drives and mobile medical outreach campaigns.

Direct Relief is committed to supporting their efforts.

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.