Health & Nutrition CCT
Health support that’s changing futures for Somali Mothers
Through the Baxnaano Health and Nutrition Co-Responsibility Cash Transfer (H&N CCT), more than 16,000 pregnant and lactating women across Somalia have received the support they need to raise healthier children and build stronger families
The Challenge Before the Program
Somalia has long faced challenges in maternal and child health.
Limited access to antenatal care, high rates of malnutrition, and the effects of poverty placed countless mothers and children at risk.
- 1 in 2 children under five suffered from some form of malnutrition.
- Many mothers were unable to afford basic health services.
- Health awareness and early child-care practices were low in rural and displacement-affected communities.
The Health & Nutrition CCT was designed to change this reality, linking financial support directly to healthy behaviors.
Intevention by Baxnaano
The H&N CCT is part of the Federal Government of Somalia’s Baxnaano Program , the national social safety net initiative that provides conditional cash support to the most vulnerable.
Key components
Quarterly Cash Transfers:
USD 30 for eligible pregnant and lactating women until the child turns two.
Health Co-Responsibilities
Attendance at quarterly awareness sessions, vaccination compliance, and growth monitoring.
Community Outreach
Female Health Workers (FHWs) and mobilizers conduct door-to-door education, group sessions, and follow-ups.
Capacity Building
Continuous training of health and community workers to ensure data quality, communication, and accountability.
Our Impact In Numbers
16,000+
Women Empowered
Over 16,000 women and caregivers have benefited from the program.
200+
Facilities Supported
200+ Baxnaano Facilitation Centers are operational and thriving.
95%
Nutritional Awareness
95% of mothers report improved awareness of nutrition practices.
Stories of Change
Implementation Strength
The H&N CCT success is not just about cash, it’s about systems and partnerships.
Highlights
- Managed by the Federal Government of Somalia through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
- Supported by Baxnaano Facilitation Centers in collaboration with district authorities and NIRA.
- Integrated data monitoring systems (MIS) ensure transparency and timely payments.
- Zamid Consulting leads communications, mobilization, and field-level coordination.
Together, they’ve built a trusted model for community-based social protection.
Lessons Learned & Sustainability
Cash with a Purpose
Linking cash support to specific health actions motivates families to attend clinics and follow healthy practices.This conditional approach transforms assistance from short-term relief into long-term behavior change.
Trust Starts Locally
Community health workers play a vital role in mobilizing mothers and ensuring continued participation.Their presence builds confidence in the program and strengthens the connection between families and health services.
Digital Systems, Real Accountability
Using mobile money and a digital Management Information System (MIS) has reduced errors, delays, and misuse of funds.This transparency increases beneficiary confidence and improves program efficiency.
A Model for the Future
The Baxnaano H&N CCT model is adaptable and can be scaled to other regions and sectors. Its success demonstrates how social protection and public health can work together to build resilience nationwide.
The Baxnaano H&N CCT has proven that social protection and health can go hand in hand and deliver real, measurable impact.
Expanding the Impact
The next phase of the H&N CCT aims to:
- Extend coverage to new districts with high malnutrition rates.
- Integrate child development and nutrition education modules.
- Strengthen digital monitoring to track outcomes in real time.
FAQS
The CCT programme is currently implemented in:
- Deynille District
- Garasbaaley District
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs works in close collaboration with the Banadir Regional Authority (BRA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to support the provision of health services and overall programme delivery.
Pregnant women and lactating mothers with children under 18 months.
Beneficiaries are identified through the Unified Social Registry (USR), a national database that collects information on vulnerable households. This database is used to assess who qualifies for different types of support, including Baxnaano.
Households in the USR are ranked using a tool called Proxy Means Testing (PMT). This tool looks at things like:
- The type of house a family lives in.
- The Assets they own
- Their income and employment.
- Whether they have basic services such as clean water.
Based on these factors, the system identifies the poorest families. The process is automatic, with no human interference, which makes it fair and transparent.
To receive the quarterly cash transfer, beneficiaries must attend health awareness sessions facilitated by trained health workers.
In addition, they are expected to participate in other essential health services provided at the centers including;
- Vaccinations
- Nutrition and weight monitoring to track growth and health.
- Health screenings for early detection of problems.
- Referrals when needed.
At Baxnaano Facilitation Centres (BFCs) located in:
- Deynille District Hospital
- Xarunta Caafimaadka ee Forilow
At the centers, beneficiaries are verified and enrolled into the Social Protection Delivery System (SPDS), which safely records their information. This ensures that:
- Only eligible mothers are registered.
- Health details are correctly captured.
- Payments go to the right person.
- Records are secure and can be updated when needed.
Beneficiaries are required to present:
- Pregnancy verification (for pregnant women).
Birth notes (for children under 18 months).
- Pregnancy verification (for pregnant women).
Birth notes (for children under 18 months).
- The programme is completely free of charge — do not pay anyone for enrolment, health services, or payments.
- No individual has the right to demand money in exchange for access to the programme.
- Official information comes only from the Government of Somalia through SMS, voice calls, or the Baxnaano helpline.
If someone asks you for money, it is fraud. Report it immediately by calling the helpline: 2668.
- Visit the nearest Baxnaano Facilitation Centre (BFC).
Call the toll-free helpline: 2668.
Via mobile money to the phone number registered with the programme.
Through SMS and voice messages, which provide details about enrolment schedules, payment timelines, and facilitation centre locations.
- Ensure your registered phone number is active and has network coverage.
- Check your mobile wallet balance.
If still not received, contact the Baxnaano Helpline: 2668.
Somalia Shock Responsive Safety Net for Human Capital Project (SNCHP), or as locally known Baxnaano, is a government-owned safety net program that envisages reaching the most vulnerable segment of the society through progressive cash-based social assistance while also building the necessary systems for national social protection system.
Baxnaano targets the most vulnerable in the community i.e. woman and children.
A Baxnaano card will be distributed to each family that is found eligible. The card will be charged quarterly with 60USD ($) per household ($20 Monthly). This amount will be enough to cover some of the family’s essential needs, helping towards providing stability, adequate accommodation and food on the table.
Eligible families will continue to receive assistance as long as they continue to be eligible, and as long as they are found to be in need. Funding is currently in place to support this assistance programme until the end of December 2020. However, it is expected that the programme will continue until the end of 2022.