WDRO seeks to empower communities and strengthen systems to prevent malnutrition before it occurs.  It works with the local authorities and partners to implement nutrition interventions that address malnutrition in Somali region of Ethiopia including; Ensuring access to quality health care for pregnant women; providing food stuffs to household with pregnant women and young children; undertaking hygiene promotion among beneficiaries; educating mothers on how to adequately feed their children; and providing access to clean water and sanitation. 

WDRO also focusses on systematic identification and referral of acutely malnourished cases within the local health facilities.  The food distribution component focusses on strengthen lifesaving preventive nutrition for vulnerable IDP communities by improving nutritional status through provision of supplementary nutritious food staffs, appropriate infant and young child feeding practices in an emergency, and micronutrient interventions.

SWDRO on Health

WDRO prioritizes primary health care as the main approach to improving health outcomes for the target beneficiaries in Somali region in Ethiopia.  Primary health care underscores the importance of whole-person care for most health needs throughout the lifespan of an individual, ensuring that everyone can receive comprehensive care ─ ranging from health promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care ─ as close as possible to where they live.  WDRO works with community health worker to: promote good health in the community working through families, schools, community leaders, community health committees and women groups; organize and strengthening communities to be able to take control of their own health; provide essential information and preventive and promotive services to prevent ill health; provide basic curative care for some common illnesses that can be treated at the community level; and a supporting a referral system providing a continuum of care for the people at the community level.