Nairobi, Kenya, January 9, 2026 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kenya, in partnership with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), today announced the launch of Afya Uzazi Jumuishi, a major new health initiative to strengthen access to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services in Kakuma refugee camp and surrounding host communities in Turkana County.
The 18-month project is supported by a USD 2 million grant from QFFD and represents a significant investment in improving lifesaving health care for women, adolescents and children in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions. The initiative aims to address urgent RMNCAH needs while laying the groundwork for sustainable, government-led service delivery.
Kenya continues to face high maternal and child mortality rates. Nationally, maternal mortality stands at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, with more than 80 percent linked to poor-quality care. Teenage pregnancy affects 15 percent of girls aged 15 to 19, rising to 26 percent among poorer households. Infant mortality remains at 32 deaths per 1,000 live births, under-five mortality at 41 per 1,000, and 18 percent of children are stunted, according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.
The situation is even more acute in Turkana County. Maternal mortality is estimated at 381 deaths per 100,000 live births, while child mortality stands at 55 per 1,000 live births. Only 53 percent of births are attended by skilled health providers, and Turkana has the lowest proportion of women receiving postnatal care within 48 hours of delivery, at just 14 percent.
Through Afya Uzazi Jumuishi, IRC Kenya, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and in partnership with FilmAid Kenya, will work to expand access to and improve the quality of RMNCAH services for women of reproductive age, adolescent girls and children. The project, in alignment with QFFD's thematic focus on Global Health and itscorporate results framework, will focus on strengthening primary health care, improving referral pathways and supporting health system capacity at both facility and community levels.
Mohamed El Montassir Hussein, IRC Kenya Country Director said, “This partnership with the Qatar Fund for Development is a strong endorsement of our shared commitment to health equity. It allows us to scale up lifesaving care for mothers and children while supporting Turkana County to integrate refugee health services into the public system.”
Key interventions under the project include the construction of a modern 70-bed maternity unit at Amussait Level 4 General Hospital, upgrades to primary health care infrastructure, the provision of essential medical equipment and supplies, and the recruitment and training of health workers in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.
Afya Uzazi Jumuishi is part of IRC Kenya’s broader efforts to strengthen primary health care systems, advance health equity and support the integration of refugee health services into national frameworks. Through strong partnerships and community-centred approaches, the IRC continues to work to ensure access to quality, dignified health care for people affected by displacement and crisis.