{"id":1087,"date":"2025-12-02T15:26:30","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:26:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haspecialneedsalliance.org\/?p=1087"},"modified":"2025-12-02T15:39:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:39:34","slug":"elementor-1087","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haspecialneedsalliance.org\/?p=1087","title":{"rendered":"Final Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Final Report\nMental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Trauma among Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD)\nProject Title: Restoring Dignity: MHPSS for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities in Kismayo District, Jubaland State of Somalia\u201d\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Period of Implementation: 1st February to 31st August 2024\nImplementing Partner: Humanity & Additional Special Needs Alliance Organization (HASNAO)\nDonor: WDCF\nGeographic Coverage: Jubbaland State, Somalia (Kismayo, districts)\nDate of Report: 20-09-2024\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Executive Summary<\/h1>

This report presents the final achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the project \u201cRestoring Dignity: MHPSS for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities in Kismayo District, Jubaland State of Somalia\u201d<\/em>, implemented by HASNAO with support from WDCF.<\/p>

The project aimed to strengthen mental health, restore hope, and reduce trauma among women, youth, and persons living with disabilities (PLWD) affected by conflict and recurrent humanitarian crises in Jubaland. Through a disability-inclusive approach, HASNAO provided trauma counseling, psychosocial support, caregiver empowerment, and community awareness to address stigma, exclusion, and the psychosocial vulnerabilities of PLWD.<\/p>

Between February and August 2024, the project directly reached 1,420 PLWD <\/strong>and indirectly impacted more than 3,000 caregivers, community members, and local leaders<\/strong>. Key results included:<\/p>

  1. Improved mental health outcomes <\/strong>\u2013 72% of PLWD reported reduced trauma symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.<\/li>
  2. Strengthened caregiver capacity <\/strong>\u2013 68% of caregivers gained confidence in supporting PLWD with psychosocial needs.<\/li>
  3. Increased inclusion and acceptance <\/strong>\u2013 55% of surveyed community members demonstrated improved attitudes toward PLWD following awareness campaigns.<\/li>
  4. Enhanced referral pathways <\/strong>\u2013 PLWD were linked to specialized medical, rehabilitation, and legal services.<\/li><\/ol>

    Despite these achievements, challenges persisted, including limited accessibility of health facilities, deeply rooted stigma, and resource constraints for specialized psychiatric care. Nevertheless, the project demonstrated the feasibility and importance of inclusive MHPSS programming in a fragile context like Jubaland.<\/p>

    The report concludes with recommendations for scaling up disability-inclusive MHPSS services, embedding them within health and protection systems, and advocating for stronger government and partner engagement in supporting the rights and dignity of PLWD.<\/p>

    Through this initiative, HASNAO has reaffirmed its role as a local leader in disability inclusion and psychosocial well-being<\/strong>, ensuring that no one is left behind in humanitarian and recovery efforts in Jubaland.<\/p>

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    1.\u00a0 Background and Context<\/h1>

    Persons Living with Disabilities are among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups…<\/p>

    Kismayo, the capital of Lower Juba region in Jubaland State of Somalia, has endured decades of conflict, insecurity, displacement, and recurring humanitarian crises. These factors have severely disrupted livelihoods, weakened social cohesion, and created high levels of trauma among the population. For Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD), the situation is even more dire due to compounded vulnerabilities, social exclusion, and limited access to essential services.<\/p>

    PLWD in Kismayo often face multiple forms of discrimination, including physical barriers to healthcare and education, as well as stigma within families and communities. This marginalization not only heightens their exposure to poverty and protection risks but also contributes to significant psychological distress and untreated trauma. The prolonged effects of armed conflict, displacement from rural areas into crowded camps, and lack of inclusive social structures further exacerbate the psychosocial challenges faced by this group.<\/p>

    Jubaland\u2019s fragile healthcare system has limited capacity to address mental health and psychosocial needs, particularly in disability-inclusive ways. Specialized services, such as psychiatric care and trauma counseling, are largely unavailable or inaccessible to PLWD. As a result, most individuals depend on informal caregivers, who themselves are often overstretched and lack adequate training in providing psychosocial support.<\/p>

    In response to this critical gap, HASNAO <\/strong>(Humanity & Additional Special Needs Organization) initiated the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Trauma project for PLWD in Kismayo. The initiative aims to reduce stigma, strengthen resilience, and promote inclusion by delivering trauma-informed counseling, peer support networks, caregiver training, and community awareness. Through this intervention, HASNAO seeks to restore dignity, improve well-being, and ensure that PLWD are not left behind in ongoing humanitarian and recovery efforts in Jubaland.<\/p>

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    2.\u00a0 Objectives of the Project<\/h1>

    Overall Objective: To improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of Persons Living with Disabilities…<\/p>

    Persons Living with Disabilities (physical, sensory, intellectual, psychosocial). Caregivers and family members.<\/p>

    Community leaders, teachers, and health workers.<\/p>

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    Service providers across protection and health sectors.<\/p>

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    3.\u00a0 Methodology<\/h1>

    The project adopted a community-based inclusive MHPSS approach, guided by the IASC Guidelines…<\/p>

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    4.\u00a0 Key Activities Implemented<\/h1>

    Activities included trauma counseling, peer support groups, caregiver training, community awareness campaigns, and referrals…<\/p>

    Trauma Counseling: <\/strong>Individual and group sessions facilitated by trained counselors. Peer Support Groups: <\/strong>Safe spaces for PLWD to share experiences and coping strategies. Community Awareness Campaigns: <\/strong>Dialogues, radio programs, and workshops.<\/p>

    Capacity Building: <\/strong>Training caregivers and service providers in psychological first aid, trauma care, and disability inclusion.<\/p>

    Referral Pathways: <\/strong>Linking PLWD with specialized services such as psychiatric care, physiotherapy, and legal aid.<\/p>

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    5.\u00a0 Findings and Results<\/h1>

    Key outcomes: improved mental health for PLWD, enhanced coping strategies, empowered caregivers, reduced stigma…<\/p>

    5.1\u00a0 Mental Health Outcomes<\/h2>