Member Associations

When the Association Tchadienne pour le Bien-Être Familial (ASTBEF) was formed in 1991, no one was under any illusions that it was faced with an almost impossible task as the international indices for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) demonstrate. Some suggested that it would be overwhelmed and would simply not survive. Over 20 years down the line, the organisation is thriving, thanks in large part to an immensely committed team of staff, over 1,000 volunteers, peer educators, and a strong youth action movement. The organisation runs static clinics and a number of mobile operations which offer voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV, post-abortion care, antenatal and post-natal care, treatment of opportunistic infections, treatment of male and female infertility, pre-marital counselling, and advocacy against harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and gender based violence. ASTBEF has made a considerable impact on the country’s SRH activity by integrating family planning with maternal and infant health, HIV and AIDS services, and youth-friendly education programmes and service provision. ASTBEF works in partnership with the government’s Global Fund National Coordination Council, and the High Commission for Population and Human Resources National Reproductive Health Programme Supporting Committee. Non-governmental organisation (NGO) links include the Comité d’information et de liaison and the Organisation des Acteurs non Etatiques (OANET). Private sector partners include PPFAI, NACA, HAPAC, SFH, The Central Bank of Nigeria, CAP Plc, and Nigeria Breweries, and donors who support ASTBEF’s work include UNFPA, UNICEF,  PNUD, Médecins du Monde, the US Embassy, PSR, GTZ, the Ministry of Social Action and Family Affairs.  

Somaliland has an estimated population of between 3.5 and 4 million people and one of the world’s highest maternal, neonatal and infant mortality levels. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a major problem in Somaliland with a prevalence close to 98%. Literacy rate is around 18% and Unemployment is extremely high with most families receiving remittance from family members abroad to meet their basic needs. Traditionally, the Somali people are nomadic. The infrastructure is very poor in terms of roads, human resources, water and electricity and that increase the difficulty in reaching a population on the move. Nevertheless, with all of those issues, The Somaliland people have demonstrated that they are a resilient, self reliant, consensus building and democratic people with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Our Vision is a Somaliland in which every member is able and empowered to seek reproductive health information and services. And that those services are safe, available, accessible and affordable. Our mission is to increase the number and quality of services the Somaliland people receive through direct service, advocacy campaigns, trainings and research. Membership stands at around 100 Members representing Parents, midwives, nurses, doctors, youth and religious Leaders. Current Programs include counseling training for nurse/midwives, Every mother must receive birth spacing counseling ( pilot project at Edna Hospital), Islam and modern methods of birth spacing: Workshops with religious leaders, On campus events focusing on FGM, birth spacing, being a young woman and a mother, SRHR resource Library, HIV/AIDS: getting to zero in Somaliland. Partnerships are with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment,  Ministry or Social Affairs and Labour, Edna Adan University Hospital, SOLNAC – Somaliland National Aids Commission, SLNMA – Somaliland Nursing and Midwifery Association, PSI International and with UNFPA Contacts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Somaliland-Family-Health-Association-SOFHA-582429758521238/