Hassan Ismael Ali: Serving Humanity Through Health

• Region: Somali Region, Ethiopia

• Role in Humanitarian Work: Health Project Coordinator

• Years of Service: Over 10 years

What inspired you to start helping your community?

I have many years of professional experience in health, and I wanted to use my knowledge and expertise to serve my community. Seeing the challenges faced by people in remote areas motivated me to dedicate my career to humanitarian work.

What challenges was your community facing when you began?

When I started, many people in remote villages had no access to basic health services. Even when some services were available, they were unaffordable for many families. This left vulnerable groups, especially mothers and children, without the care they urgently needed.

What kind of humanitarian work do you do?

• Raising awareness on maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence (GBV).
• Delivering outreach and integrated health services through mobile health teams.
• Building the capacity of health workers by providing trainings such as BEMONC, CEMONC, IMNCI, ICCM, GBV case management, and abortion care.
• Supporting health institutions by providing essential medicines and medical equipment.
• Offering legal and economic support to GBV survivors, enabling them to recover and rebuild their lives.

Share an example of when your work made a big difference.

When we first began awareness activities, issues like family planning and GBV were considered taboo and rarely discussed in the community. Through persistent and respectful community engagement, this mindset has gradually changed. Today, we see mothers confidently accessing family planning services, and survivors of GBV are stepping forward to seek support. Witnessing this shift in attitudes and behaviours is one of the greatest impacts of my work.

What makes Dollo Bay Woreda a challenging area to access, and how do you overcome these challenges?

Dollo Bay Woreda is one of the most challenging areas to access because of several overlapping barriers.

The communities are highly dispersed across remote kebeles, which makes service delivery and follow-up difficult. Most villages lack electricity, and many kebeles also have no reliable network or communication systems. Health institutions such as health centres and health posts operate inefficiently due to limited resources, while the high inflation rate further deteriorates living conditions and makes it harder for families to afford basic needs.

To overcome these challenges, we deploy mobile health teams that bring services directly to communities. We also enhance the capacity of existing health institutions by supplying medicines, medical equipment, and ongoing training for health workers. Additionally, we build strong relationships with community leaders and volunteers who connect and inform people.

How has your work changed lives in your community?

More people are now able to access basic health services, especially through our mobile health services, which remain the only source of healthcare for many remote communities. Immunisation coverage has increased, with more children completing their vaccination schedules. In addition, the barriers to contraceptive use have been greatly reduced, as both access to and utilisation of family planning services have improved.

What moments are you most proud of?

• When I see mothers bringing their children for vaccinations.
• When I see women confidently using family planning services.
• When mothers tell us that their health has improved after receiving care from our mobile health services.

What keeps you motivated to continue despite the challenges?

I am motivated when I witness the real improvements our interventions bring to people’s lives and communities.

What does World Humanitarian Day mean to you personally?

It is a day to recognise the tireless efforts of humanitarian staff working under very challenging conditions. This recognition boosts the morale of both the staff and the communities we serve.

What message would you like to share with the world about helping others?

Helping people in need, especially those living in difficult environments with no access to basic health services, is both a moral responsibility and a humanitarian imperative. I strongly encourage all stakeholders to continue supporting vulnerable communities so that no one is left behind.