Category: News

Ethiopia: Life continues in Nguenyyiel

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

The Nguenyyiel refugee camp, in the Gambella region of Ethiopia, is home to over 110,000 South Sudanese refugees. In this stretch of land, where daily life is a constant challenge, the story of Nyadholi Mut Jock shines as a sign of resilience and hope.

Nyadholi is 26 years old and is already a mother of four. When she discovered she was pregnant again, she felt overwhelmed by a mixture of joy and concern. In a context where access to healthcare services is limited and pregnancy-related risks are extremely high, giving birth to a child can be frightening. It was thanks to word of mouth and the support of friends that Nyadholi decided to visit the health post managed by Doctors with Africa CUAMM in Zone D of the camp.

Here, Nyadholi immediately found medical assistance as well as comprehensive support: regular prenatal visits, nutritional guidance, and information sessions to recognize danger signs during pregnancy and understand the importance of vaccinations.

“I came to CUAMM because there are professionals who offer essential services like prenatal care, vaccinations, and medication. They listened to me, treated me with respect, and explained everything,” Nyadholi recalls, emphasizing how the kindness of the staff made the difference, restoring the confidence that is often put to the test in the life of a refugee. “I am very happy with the care I received, from the community health workers to the midwives who assisted me during childbirth. They showed me great humanity,” she added.

Since 2018, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been present in the Gambella region, providing prevention and treatment services for the refugee population and host communities. It operates in the Nguenyyiel camp, one of the largest in the area, supporting two health posts in Zones A and D. These activities are part of the project “Emergency response to the South Sudanese crisis through an integrated and inclusive approach in health, nutrition, and protection, to strengthen the resilience of South Sudanese refugees and host communities in the Gambella region, Ethiopia,” funded by the Italian Cooperation and implemented together with Plan International Ethiopia and Plan Italia.

In the last 15 months of the project, from its inception until December 2025, there were 53,476 outpatient visits, 1,246 new prenatal visits, and 153 deliveries. Furthermore, 1,136 infants aged 0-11 months completed their vaccinations, 11,391 children under 5 years of age underwent nutritional screening, and 91 cases of severe acute malnutrition and 291 cases of moderate acute malnutrition were referred. Finally, over 2,600 people were reached through awareness sessions.

“When the time came for labor, Nyadholi returned to our clinic. Thanks to the presence of qualified staff, she gave birth to a healthy boy. In that moment, holding her little one in her arms, the weight of fear turned into pure joy and strength,” says Yitages Komtu, community activities coordinator. “These services are vital for the well-being of my son and me. I feel peaceful, mentally and psychologically, knowing that we are receiving the care we need,” Nyadholi continued.

CUAMM’s commitment aims to go beyond simple healthcare: it is a tool that seeks to empower women through knowledge and awareness of their rights, thereby strengthening the entire community. “CUAMM’s activities are extremely important for me and the entire refugee community. They guarantee equitable and quality services right here, where we live every day,” she concluded with pride.

Nyadholi decided to share her story to encourage other mothers in the camp to seek help and not feel alone. Because every mother and every child, even in a refugee camp, deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Bangui Paediatric University Hospital hosts ECHO’s first visit

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Today in Bangui, at the Pediatric University Hospital – CHUPB, we had the honor of welcoming a high-level ECHO delegation from Brussels for their very first visit, hosted by Medical Director Dr. Gody. The delegation, led by Giuseppe Angelini, Head of Western Africa, had an introductory but highly meaningful meeting: they learned about the hospital’s history, its post-crisis development, and CUAMM’s pivotal role in training health personnel and strengthening operational management. The visit concluded with a tour of the main wards, including the neonatal unit, providing a firsthand look at the tangible impact of our work on the health of the youngest patients.

CUAMM’s intervention at CHUPB began in 2018, supported by the European Union and in partnership with the NGO Action Against Hunger and the Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital of the Vatican. The project aimed to strengthen paediatric services in a context marked by structural fragility and recurring crises.

Since then, CUAMM’s work has focused on strengthening hospital governance, training medical and administrative staff, and improving clinical services, ensuring the availability of essential medicines, equipment, hygiene services, and maintenance, to guarantee continuous 24/7 care.

From the start of the intervention until today, CHUPB—the country’s only tertiary-level paediatric referral hospital—has treated over 437,000 children, with more than 118,000 hospital admissions. In the past year alone, data show a recovery rate of 94%, highlighting the quality of care as one of the hospital’s major achievements.

All this takes place in one of the world’s most fragile countries. According to the Human Development Index, the Central African Republic ranks among the lowest globally, alongside countries such as South Sudan and Somalia (Human Development Report, 2023). The index points to significant challenges in life expectancy, average years of schooling, and gross national income per capita, all obstacles to long-term development. Among the most vulnerable sectors are health and education, where the work of CUAMM and international partners remains essential to provide quality services to the most fragile communities.

For this very reason, Cuamm has decided to expand its commitment to ensure access to quality care for women and children also outside the capital, reaching more isolated areas. On the one hand, support for CHUPB is being confirmed, accompanying its transition toward greater administrative and financial autonomy and working to strengthen its most delicate services, such as neonatology and intensive care. On the other hand, efforts are directed toward peripheral first- and second-level facilities, supporting them in the provision of basic care and life-saving services.

From Bangui to the very last mile

While CHUPB represents the country’s first and only tertiary-level paediatric hospital, the national health system also relies on an extensive network of secondary-level hospitals, health centers with varying levels of equipment, and basic dispensaries. Supporting these facilities means ensuring access to essential health services across the territory, strengthening the system’s response capacity, and preventing delays in care.

This is particularly crucial in isolated areas, which face a degree of socio-political instability and are affected by continuous population movements, as people seek responses to their growing basic needs—demonstrating the persistence of humanitarian crisis zones.

In this context, in the Bocaranga-Kuoi district in the western part of the country, we work at Kuoi Hospital and provide support to five affiliated health centers. With only 20 beds, Kuoi Hospital is located in a hard-to-reach area where instability and insecurity compromise service delivery, including healthcare. Thanks to ECHO funding, we work daily to provide free care to pregnant women and children under five, while also offering medical and psychosocial support to women victims of violence, in close collaboration with the local NGO OFAHRD. Activities also include infrastructure rehabilitation, strengthening the emergency referral system, nutritional screenings, and vaccination campaigns.

This effort aims to strengthen peripheral health services while also improving the management capacity of the Bocaranga referral hospital, currently the only fully operational health facility in the district and under heavy pressure due to high demand for care.

Peripheral hospitals and health centers are a fundamental part of a health system that seeks to reach everyone. It is precisely in the most isolated and hard-to-reach areas, however, that healthcare needs are greatest and resources often insufficient. To meet this challenge, in collaboration with the Central African Ministry of Health, CUAMM is implementing a Performance-Based Financing (PBF) intervention, funded by the European Union, involving 59 health facilities across three districts: Bangassou, Ouango-Gambo, and Bossangoa. The goal is to encourage the use of essential health services, improve quality standards, and reduce costs for the population, while also helping to reduce inequalities and ensure quality care for the most marginalized communities.

 

Neglecting diseases caring for lives

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Over a billion people worldwide live with a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

These are 21 different conditions caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses, or fungi, primarily affecting the most vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries in tropical and subtropical regions.

January 30 marks World NTD Day, established by the World Health Organization to draw attention to a global health emergency that remains largely overlooked. In Karamoja, in northeastern Uganda, these diseases are not just statistics—they are part of daily life.

“Experiencing this day here gives it an even stronger meaning,” says Sara Biagioni, an Infectious Diseases resident at Matany Hospital. “Over these months, I’ve seen just how immense the problem is. Even for someone like me, who has already dealt with these conditions in Italy, their prevalence here is evident every day. The lack of attention and investment in diseases that predominantly affect vulnerable populations and regions marked by poverty and structural challenges is also striking.”

In a rural area where livestock farming is one of the main activities and the poverty rate is among the highest in the country, the social determinants of health are particularly apparent.

“You can fully understand,” she continues, “the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. It becomes clear how essential a One Health approach is to address the problem.”

Sometimes, prevention starts with actions that elsewhere we take for granted.

“I have often thought, with no small amount of frustration, that even before distributing medicines, simple measures could be enough for effective prevention—like wearing shoes or other adequate footwear.”

In this area, many people walk barefoot: parasitic infections transmitted through contact with the soil can cause anemia and malnutrition, compromising children’s development and the health of pregnant women. Diseases such as tungiasis and podoconiosis—common in some areas of Karamoja—can progress to chronic lesions, permanent disabilities, and severe mobility issues, compounded by the social stigma faced by those affected.

During the days when a Ugandan organization focused on patient care worked in Matany, Sara met people waiting in line for long-awaited consultations.

“With the team, we talked about the social stigma resulting from these conditions and how it complicates people’s lives. Among the patients present, I found genuine and surprised gratitude: in discovering that someone could care for their problem, but also in seeing the improvements achieved through simple measures.”

Among the diseases she has encountered most frequently in recent months is visceral leishmaniasis, an endemic condition in this area that can be fatal if untreated. Its management, however, is complex in Matany: diagnosis is not always immediate, and treatments require prolonged hospitalization and careful monitoring.

“These challenges made me realize how important it is to have constant collaboration with local colleagues, like Julius, a key reference for this condition at the hospital, or Sister Harriet, the head nurse, who on Sundays, after mass, comes to the hospital to ensure that therapy continues even on weekends. It’s a continuous exchange where knowledge is shared, but you learn something every day.”

Every case has a face.

“I remember every face, every name,” she says. Like Alice, who wanted to go home after her first injections because she felt better and stayed only after a heated discussion, later leaving us with one of the most ironic and grateful smiles. Or Anjelina, admitted in serious condition and discharged after weeks of treatment: today, she returns to the hospital only to say hello and give thanks—her last visit she chose to do in Italian.

Neglected tropical diseases are called so because they have long remained at the margins of the global agenda. But in Matany, they have names, stories, relationships. They remind us that the right to healthcare also depends on choices—like looking all the way to the last mile, working side by side with local communities, standing alongside the most vulnerable, and bringing commitment, change, and dignity even to those suffering from forgotten diseases.

Empowering Communities: Linking Agriculture and Nutrition in Tanzania

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

In Dodoma, Tanzania, we recently came together with partners and authorities for the closing event of the project “Diverse Food System: Improving Nutrition by Supporting Diversified and Sustainable Food Systems,” funded by the Italian Cooperation and implemented by Doctors with Africa CUAMM in partnership with LVIA, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and MVIWATA.

The event gathered around 120 participants, including a wide range of stakeholders, district and regional officials, hospital staff, representatives of the Ministry of Health, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), under the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Through this project, CUAMM expanded access to quality services for the management of severe acute malnutrition, strengthened the clinical skills of healthcare personnel, and provided substantial support to local authorities in addressing malnutrition at both community and district levels. At the same time, in collaboration with LVIA, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and MVIWATA, the project contributed over three years to improved nutrition outcomes—particularly for children under five, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers—while promoting sustainable agricultural practices that enhance community resilience and improve access to healthy, quality food.

“We are very grateful to CUAMM for supporting the government’s efforts to improve nutrition services, especially the treatment of severe malnutrition in children under five. Their partnership ensured better access to medicines and equipment while strengthening our healthcare environment. We are truly thankful for their contribution.” said Maria Haule – District Nutrition Officer from Kongwa DC. 

The event also provided an opportunity to highlight the project’s impact on approximately 110,000 people across the districts of Kongwa, Bahi, and Chamwino. As a result of the initiative, communities can now rely on empowered farmers and enhanced know-how in innovative and sustainable agricultural approaches that are essential to long-term food security.

This project represents a solid foundation for future action and regional development, fully aligned with and supportive of Tanzania’s national strategies for food security and nutritional improvement.

Mozambique Catastrophic Flooding Impacts Thousands of People

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

The situation is catastrophic in Mozambique where days of relentless rainfall and the overflow of major river basins have put the life of thousands at risk. Gaza, Maputo and Sofala are the hardest-hit areas: according to official estimates, nearly 600,000 people have been affected by the recent deadly floods.

The impact on housing and the economy is devastating.

Nationwide, an estimated 74,000 homes have been flooded and more than 1,600 destroyed, including 200 in Maputo Province, particularly in the districts of Moamba and Sabie. This is the area where health centres supported through INCLUDE Project are located and where CUAMM teams operate daily.

In the Incomáti Valley, over 10,000 hectares of farmland have been lost, wiping out maize and vegetable crops in just a few hours—crops on which the livelihoods of thousands of families depend.

The Mozambican government has declared a national red alert and has requested support from the international community for rescue and relief operations.

The floods of 17 January, driven by persistent rainfall and the overflow of the Corumana dam, severely affected the administrative posts of Moamba Sede, Sabie and Ressano Garcia. Around 200 homes were damaged and 900 people displaced, many of whom have found shelter in temporary resettlement centres.

Serious concern also surrounds the Buzi District in Sofala, where some of our staff are based. There, heavy rains began as early as the first week of January.

“The situation is very serious,” says Estevão Ilidio Bochana – CUAMM Data collector in Sofala Province. “The river has swept away the bridge, and access to the district hospital has been compromised. People are forced to use boats to cross the river. Some of our activists have also been affected and had to move to emergency shelters because their homes are flooded.”

In Moamba Sede, the locally established resettlement centre is hosting 40 families, for a total of 182 people, mostly women and children. In Sabie, the situation remains particularly fragile: 95 families (495 people) have found shelter in the Samora Machel primary school, while another 35 families (167 people) are being hosted in the secondary school. The neighbourhoods of Incomate, Chiquizela, Matadouro and Magawane are among the most severely affected.

“We are coordinating with the Mozambican Emergency Operations Centre and the Ministry of Health to provide initial assistance to affected communities,” explains Giorgia Gelfi, CUAMM Country Manager in Mozambique. “At this stage, it is crucial to reduce the risk of epidemics—particularly cholera—and to be prepared to manage a surge in malaria cases, especially among the most vulnerable groups, women and children.”

Some families are attempting to return to their homes despite the damage, for fear of looting. Meanwhile, district authorities are carrying out assessments to evaluate the impact of the floods on public and private infrastructure, including essential services. Health centres remain a vital lifeline in an emergency that is not yet over and continues to put the lives and hopes of thousands of people at risk.

The crisis is immense, and the response is stretched beyond capacity. Additional resources are urgently needed.
 
Donate today and help us save lives

Kyiv Enduring the Cold of War

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

“Yesterday the temperature was -14°C during the day, and at night it dropped to -20°C. We are without lighting, without power, without heating, and those living in taller buildings—from the second floor upwards—are also without water. The cold penetrates you and gives no respite. The bombardments continue, increasingly intense; since 6–7 January, military actions on Kyiv have escalated targeting mainly energy facilities. The intention is to strike people—the entire civilian population—without distinction. The outskirts are in worse conditions than the city centre, because that is where the taller, newly built apartment blocks are. At present, there are areas of the city that have been without electricity, heating and water for as many as three days.”

CUAMM field workers in Ukraine are working tirelessly to maintain emergency response operations. They describe the harsh realities faced by the population and the immense challenges of delivering humanitarian assistance in a war-torn country.

“Work resumed after the Orthodox holiday break but unfortunately CUAMM Office is unusable due to the lack of heating and electricity. However, the staff continue working from home, often gathering in the warmest house. At present, CUAMM is engaged in purely emergency assistance, distributing medicines and supplies to the four hospitals located along the front line. In the coming days we should also be provided with the CUAMM vehicle for travel. In addition, we are working with a local NGO to provide psychological support to the communities of Kharkiv and Sumy.”

“In Kyiv the situation is very strange. People try, as best they can, to carry on with their lives and their daily routines. They work, move around, go to the gym or do their grocery shopping (also because having more powerful generators shops offer a bit of warmth). But everything feels suspended. It can happen that, because of a bombardment, for example, the water is cut off while you are in the shower, suddenly”

“In my life, I also witnessed the war in Sarajevo, where there was a clear sense of a city under siege. In Ukraine, instead, you never know what might happen, or when.” said CUAMM Public Health expert in Ukraine then he adds: “For us, who came to Kyiv by choice to help these people, operating is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day. But I think of the sick, the elderly, and people with disabilities who find themselves without heating or electricity. Until around 4:30 p.m. there is some daylight, and then darkness until the following morning. For them it is even harder. If you are lucky, around 10 p.m. a bit of electricity may return, but only for a very short time. The Mayor of Kyiv has advised families who have the possibility to move towards the west of the country, where there are still difficulties, but to a lesser extent.”

In about a month, on 24 February, it will be four years since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. For the fourth consecutive winter, the Ukrainian people are facing an exhausting conflict that shows no sign of ending.

“People are tired. There is discouragement and bitterness. They have become accustomed to the constant clashes and to the many words and promises of those who hold the fate of this war in their hands, but they fear that if they give up or give in, the situation will be even worse for them.”

CUAMM has been operating in Ukraine since the outbreak of the war, implementing a wide range of interventions to support primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities in the areas most affected by the conflict. These activities include the procurement and distribution of medicines, specialised traumatology and orthopaedic kits, obstetric supplies, and other essential medical materials.

In parallel, CUAMM provides multisectoral assistance to people affected by the emergency, with particular focus on the most vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, women, and children. The current activities are being carried out in collaboration with CESVI under the SHIELD: Strengthening Health and Protection for Vulnerable Communities in Conflict-Affected Sumska and Kharkivska project, funded by the Italian Cooperation.

Learning to Nourish

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Pili Mtundu ha dodici figli. Vive con il marito ei figli nel villaggio di Mlodaa, nel distretto di Chamwino, in Tanzania. Una semplice casa di due stanze ospita l’intera famiglia. La vita quotidiana ruota attorno all’agricoltura, che fornisce il sostentamento primario della famiglia. Entrambi i genitori si prendono cura dei figli con dedizione e possono contare sul sostegno della comunità e dei leader locali.

Tuttavia, qualcosa è cambiato con la nascita dei membri più piccoli della famiglia: tre gemelli. Bahati, Shukrani e Baraka sono nati a 36 settimane di gestazione con pesi alla nascita molto bassi: 1,5 kg, 1,5 kg e 2 kg. Pili li ha allattati al seno e ha gradualmente introdotto un’alimentazione complementare, composta principalmente da porridge di cereali. Ma a 15 mesi, le condizioni dei tre piccoli sono peggiorate rapidamente. Ricoverati all’ospedale distrettuale di Chamwino, il personale sanitario ha diagnosticato loro una malnutrizione acuta grave , accompagnata da diarrea e vomito. Per 14 giorni, i tre gemelli sono stati curati presso il Centro di trattamento intensivo (ITC).

La causa di questa situazione non era la mancanza di cibo. Infatti, le forme acute di malnutrizione non sono sempre legate alla povertà estrema, ma spesso alla scarsa consapevolezza di quali nutrienti siano fondamentali per una crescita sana nei primi anni di vita. Nel caso della famiglia Mtundu, la dieta quotidiana si basava quasi esclusivamente su ciò che veniva prodotto nei campi: cereali e frutta secca, con pochissima diversità alimentare.

Per Bahati, Shukrani e Baraka, il percorso di recupero non si è fermato alla fase più critica. Dopo essere stati dimessi dall’ITC, i bambini hanno continuato il trattamento ambulatoriale con controlli settimanali. Nel frattempo, ha preso forma un’iniziativa altrettanto decisiva: l’educazione alimentare per la famiglia. Attraverso visite domiciliari e un dialogo costante con il personale sanitario, Pili e suo marito hanno ricevuto indicazioni sull’alimentazione infantile, l’igiene, l’uso dell’acqua e la prevenzione delle infezioni. Non si trattava solo di cosa mangiare, ma di come e quando farlo, soprattutto durante i primi anni cruciali. Questa iniziativa è stata resa possibile dal progetto “Diverse Food System: Migliorare la nutrizione sostenendo un sistema alimentare diversificato e sostenibile”, sostenuto dall’Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (AICS) e dalla Fondazione Zanetti .

Grazie alla continuità delle cure e al cambiamento delle abitudini quotidiane, Bahati, Shukrani e Baraka sono guariti e ora possono crescere sani con le loro famiglie. La loro storia evidenzia la centralità della prevenzione e dell’educazione alimentare come parte integrante della salute infantile.

Marburg Our Emergency Response in Ethiopia

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

A Marburg outbreak has recently been confirmed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in the South Omo region.
The first case dates back to 14 November and was later confirmed by the Ministry on 22 December, when the outbreak was officially declared.

By readjusting project priorities, Doctors with Africa CUAMM intervened from the very beginning to respond to this emergency in a timely and effective manner. In the districts of Hamer— the epicentre of the outbreak— and Dasenech, we provided emergency support to Turmi Primary Hospital and seven affiliated health centres, focusing on five key areas: surveillance; triage and screening; infection prevention and control; staff training; and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities.

Essential medicines, medical supplies and personal protective equipment were provided to facilities under strain, with the aim of improving preparedness, strengthening emergency response capacity, protecting healthcare workers and ensuring the continuity of essential health services.

Among the donated materials were: antibiotics and antimicrobials for the treatment of infections and the prevention of complications; emergency and life-stabilising medicines for acute cases; analgesics and drugs for symptomatic treatment; as well as significant quantities of intravenous fluids and rehydration supplies.

To reduce the risk of transmission, infection prevention and control materials such as gloves, eye protection, disinfectants and denatured alcohol were distributed. Surgical and consumable supplies supported the safety of clinical procedures, maternal health services and emergency interventions. Diagnostic materials, including pregnancy tests and Hepatitis C tests, ensured the continuity of essential diagnostic services.

Marburg is a severe viral disease caused by the Marburg marburgvirus (MARV), which belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus. With a case fatality rate of around 50%, this haemorrhagic fever can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Prevention and control measures are therefore crucial to containing the outbreak.

The Marburg outbreak response in South Omo was made possible thanks to the support of the Italian Cooperation and funding amounting to 2.4 million birr allocated under the IMPACT project.

Building new opportunities of care

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

A major initiative is taking shape in Abidjan, involving us as partners alongside the University of Padua in the renovation and extension of the Abobo Hospital and in strengthening two affiliated health facilities: Abobo Avocatier and Abobo Baoulé.

In May, we launched this major initiative with an official ceremony held in Abidjan. Now, several months later, the commitment is becoming tangible. Construction is progressing at a rapid pace, even during the holiday season, in order to return to the population as soon as possible new, more functional spaces and new opportunities for care. This starts with expanding patient capacity, strengthening maternity and neonatology units, and introducing support services such as a blood bank and an oxygen center.

On Monday, December 22, we visited Abobo to see firsthand the progress of the construction site which involve the rehabilitation of existing spaces, the reorganization of services, and a major expansion of maternal and child health services. Specifically, the unit dedicated to gynecology-obstetrics and neonatology will cover 2,250 sqm, compared to the 770 sqm currently available; the number of gynecology-obstetrics inpatient beds will increase from 28 to 56, and the number of neonatology inpatient beds from 12 to 32.

The visit, conducted inside the large construction site, was attended by  Roberta Ronzitti, Italian Vice-Ambassador to Ivory Coast; Alessandro Rabbiosi, Representative of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Abidjan (AICS); project partners from the University of Padua, represented by Professor Liviana Da Dalt; as well as representatives of Ivorian institutions, including Yeo Pena, Director of DIEMP (Direction Infrastructures Equipment Manutention et Patrimonie) and Representative of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Health; Dr. Kassi Georges, Regional Health Director of Abidjan 1; Dr. Kanga Charles, Director of the Abobo Est Health District; and representatives of the hospital itself: Dr. Nathalie Tan Fondio, Hospital Director, and Dr. Kouadio Kouadio Marcellin, Medical Director.

“Two words capture the spirit of this project: thank you, mothers and children.

Thank you first—because without Italy’s concrete and long-term support to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s health system, we would not be here today. Special thanks also go to the Ministry of Health for its constant commitment to the people of Abobo and for its trust in this partnership. Mothers and children are at the heart of this project. The high number of women and children we saw here reflects both the scale of the needs and the central role of Abobo Hospital in maternal and child health. Infrastructure matters, but so does training local health staff. In this regard, the partnership between CUAMM and the University of Padua is key. Together, we will continue to strengthen local capacities to ensure lasting, high-quality care for mothers and children.” said father Dante Carraro – CUAMM Director General.

“Maternal and child health is a top priority for the Ivorian government. National programs have been launched to expand quality care, including free targeted services and strong investments in training nurses, midwives, and doctors through institutional partnerships. Reducing maternal and child mortality is essential for Ivory Coast’s ambition to become a health hub in West Africa. This project fully supports that goal, and we are grateful for it. Training, in partnership with the University of Padua, is especially important: infrastructure matters, but well-trained health workers make the difference. We thank CUAMM, the University of Padua, and the Italian State for their commitment to mothers and children in Abobo.” affirmed Mr. Yeo Pena.

“The needs of the Abobo district were identified in 2024, and by the end of 2025 we are already working on the ground. This was made possible thanks to the strong commitment of a high-level Italian and Ivorian team. While challenges remain, particularly in space planning and facility organization, the progress achieved is very encouraging. In just a year and a half, we have reached a strong level of implementation.” concluded Roberta Ronzetti – Italian Vice-Ambassador to Ivory Coast.

Abobo Est is a rapidly expanding urban area. As the vibrant heart of the autonomous district of Abidjan, this neighborhood is home to approximately 750,000 people. In Abobo Hospital alone, 8,000 births were recorded in 2024. This average is expected to rise, making the strengthening of services essential. Hence the decision to intervene by working alongside government health authorities through a key health initiative implemented under the Mattei Plan, with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

The scars of displacement and forced migration

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

“Those who experience displacement, those who are forced to leave everything behind, carry a scar with them. Mine, after all, today allows me to do my job here, among the displaced people of Cabo Delgado, to the best of my ability.”

Elisa Tembe, CUAMM psychologist and Project Manager in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, works every day with people who have lost everything. Women, men, boys and girls who, because of the violence that erupted back in 2017, have been forced to abandon their homes and their land. According to UNHCR data, since the start of the attacks there have been 1.3 million internally displaced people—one third of the total population of Cabo Delgado—while in 2025 alone, the intensification of violence by non-state armed groups has caused the forced displacement of more than 250,000 people. Since 2017, an additional 6,000 people have been killed in this prolonged and forgotten crisis.

“Leaving a place you consider home is a traumatic experience. The emotional and psychological impact is immense. Many people carry on while waiting for the moment they can return to their place of origin; others try again and again,” Elisa told us.

She knows herself the pain of leaving everything behind and the trauma of being forced to shape a new life far from home. Elisa experienced firsthand the trauma of displacement in 2020, when she left the district of Macomia together her two children due to frequent attacks. Once she arrived in Montepuez, hosted by some relatives, Elisa had to start building a new life.

“When I started working with people who had gone through the same experience as me, I realized how fortunate I had been and how life-saving it was, for me, to have friends and family around. Receiving support in a condition of despair is essential; feeling seen and listened to can truly make a difference.”

Today Elisa works with the CUAMM team in Cabo Delgado; she lives and works in Pemba, where she manages a gender-based violence project funded by UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency. Her personal experience, her training in psychology, and the family education she received from childhood allow her to carry out her work to the best of her ability, relying on the trust and respect of those who work alongside her every day in the field and of the people she assists, internally displaced persons and others.

UNHCR photo exhibition in Maputo on the occasion of the UNHCR’s 75th anniversary commemoration
UNHCR photo exhibition in Maputo on the occasion of the UNHCR’s 75th anniversary commemoration

Forced displacement in fact places an often invisible burden on host communities. Pressure on resources and services (water, food, housing, healthcare), economic impacts (the labor market, social costs), social and cultural tensions (conflict, xenophobia), and the deterioration of infrastructure and local livelihoods worsen an already fragile situation and create new vulnerabilities for everyone, making integrated interventions necessary.

“In Cabo Delgado, everyone needs support. Displacement affects the entire community on a large scale, but each person responds differently to trauma. Every individual finds their own resilience and their own way of applying it. Through our intervention, we try to offer support so that the community can support itself.”

Psychological and legal components are the core of the intervention that Elisa manages as Project Manager. A multidisciplinary group composed by psychologists, legal assistants, and community activists is involved in a bunch of activities that spam from psychological and legal support, to awareness-raising and education sessions, to trainings. Through practical activities such as carpentry and cooking, and vocational training courses, the project aims to promote economic independence and small-scale entrepreneurship, therefore empower community members.

On the occasion of the ceremony organized in Maputo for the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Refugee Agency and the 50th anniversary of Mozambique’s independence, Elisa shared her story, the commitment she carries forward together with the CUAMM team, and the hope she holds for the future: that these communities may grow strong enough to face the challenges ahead on their own, and that every person may be free to live in the place they call home.