4/14/2026
With the support of donors, Qatar Charity continues to implement a medical initiative to combat blindness and improve eye health in Somalia’s Banadir region, targeting displaced families and the most vulnerable groups. This comes within the framework of the “Warding off Calamity” campaign, launched by the organization on the 27th night of last Ramadan reflecting growing attention to health interventions with direct, tangible impact.
An integrated package
This initiative comes amid rising health needs in Somalia, particularly given limited access to medical services. It focuses on providing an integrated package of services, including examinations, medication, and surgical interventions, with the aim of curbing the spread of eye diseases, foremost among them cataracts.
The campaign aims to conduct 600 medical examinations, provide medication to 300 beneficiaries, and perform 150 cataract removal surgeries, in addition to distributing 60 prescription eyeglasses, helping improve visual quality and strengthen beneficiaries’ ability to carry out daily activities.
Abdel Fattah Adam Moalim, Director of Qatar Charity’s office in Somalia, said the initiative represents a practical response to urgent humanitarian needs in the health sector, stressing that the project focuses on restoring sight for patients and enabling them to reintegrate into society.
An urgent necessity
For his part, Dr. Saeed Hussein Jidi, head of the initiative’s medical team, explained that the team has made notable progress. To date, 72 successful surgeries have been performed, 60 prescription eyeglasses distributed, and medication dispensed to 200 patients after completing medical diagnoses. He praised the role of donors, whose support has had a direct impact in restoring beneficiaries’ sight and alleviating their suffering.
He noted that the campaign primarily targets patients suffering severe vision deterioration due to harsh living conditions, especially those living far from health facilities making urgent surgical interventions an imperative necessity.
He added that the campaign is currently being implemented in the capital, Mogadishu, and that field activities will continue until 15 April, providing a broader opportunity for medical services to reach the largest possible number of beneficiaries.
Direct impact
On the humanitarian level, the campaign has demonstrated a clear human impact through beneficiaries’ stories. Mr. Hirsi Ali (74) said he regained his sight after five years of suffering from cataracts, expressing his gratitude to the generous supporters.
Ms. Mano Boli also stated that she was able to regain her ability to see after four years of suffering, while Mr. Jamaali Noor Mohamed noted that the success of his surgery marked a major turning point in his life.
The health sector is one of the main areas of Qatar Charity’s work. Over the past year, it implemented 24 health projects in Somalia, benefiting more than 143,000 people.
It is worth noting that Qatar Charity organized the “Challenge of the 27th Night” event last Ramadan under the name “Warding off Calamity,” considered the largest fundraising event via YouTube, with media participation by influencer Abdullah Al-Ghafri and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Harami. With the support of donors, the campaign succeeded in raising more than QAR 40 million to implement life-saving humanitarian medical initiatives in several countries around the world, in addition to the State of Qatar.