This will generate evidence to inform the development of health service delivery approach tailored to pastoralists needs. Develop a research application for deeper analysis of health needs of pastoral community, available health care services for pastoral community, obstacles to access health care.Build up a knowledge bank on nomadic health and health care access.This project aims to build a consortium of knowledgeable researchers and stake holders (national and international) who, together with representatives of the nomadic population and the Ministry of Health: Understanding health problems, socio-demographic and socio-cultural factors influencing the access to the health service delivery by pastoralists is critical. Suitable health services for pastoralists should respond to geographical, social and cultural context. However, such challenges should not discourage to look for innovative solutions for improving access of pastoral nomads to essential health interventions. Establishing health service delivery points for pastoral nomads is challenging mainly due to their lifestyle, often on the move. The current Somali public health service delivery points are designed for more stable and sedentary populations in urban and rural areas ignoring pastoralists. The livestock trade remains the backbone of the country‘s economy contributing to 40% of the GDP and 80% of the foreign currency earnings. Pastoral nomads play a critical role in the economy of the country. In addition, to the pastoral nomads, some communities the in South Somalia and the North practice also agro-pastoralism with some farming, but still rely more heavily on rearing livestock for their livelihood. More than a quarter (26%) of the Somali population are pastoral nomads (exclusive pastoralism) who move with animals in search for water sources and grazing.

Exclusive pastoralism is predominantly practiced in the arid lands of northern and central Somalia while agro-pastoralism is found in the riverine regions in Southern Somalia as well as in Awdal and Western Galbeed in the north-west (Somaliland). It can be exclusive pastoralism (everyone moves with the animal), transhumant (some people move while others stay behind) and agro-pastoralism (people practice farming, but still priorities rearing animals). Pastoralism is practiced throughout rural areas of Somalia. During the project, three major workshops will be conducted in the relatively safe Hargeisa, Somaliland, and the databasewill be built by Benadir University. The University of Gothenburg, KEMRI (Wellcome Trust funded health research program in Kenya) and Benadir University in Somalia are initiating this work but intend to join more partners over the next two years.

Design and test interventions to create better access to both emergency care and elective care under the special living conditions of the nomadic population.

Central health problems to the nomad population.The project will also develop a research application for deeper analysis of: