Hawa Abdi
1947 – 2020
Who was Hawa Abdi?
Dr. Hawa Abdi (1947–2020) was a Somali physician and human rights activist. She turned her family farm near Mogadishu into a hospital and camp that sheltered as many as 90,000 people displaced by Somalia's civil war.
Key Achievement
Transformed her family property into a refuge providing medical care and shelter to 90,000 displaced people during Somalia's civil war
Her story
Dr. Hawa Abdi Dhiblawe was a Somali human rights defender and physician who dedicated her life to helping those displaced by Somalia's civil war. In 1983, she opened a one-room clinic on her family's property to serve the poor in her community. When civil war erupted in 1991, she refused to abandon her clinic despite the danger. As violence escalated and displaced people sought refuge, she transformed her property into a 400-bed hospital and refugee camp that eventually sheltered and provided medical care to over 90,000 people. Known as "the Mother Teresa of Somalia," Dr. Abdi and her daughters operated the camp for over two decades with minimal outside support, providing not just medical care but also food, shelter, and education. She stood up to armed militias who tried to seize her land, famously saying, "I have no clan but the displaced." Her courage and compassion saved countless lives during one of Africa's most brutal conflicts. She received numerous international awards for her humanitarian work.
Questions people ask about Hawa Abdi
What did Dr. Hawa Abdi do?
In 1983 she opened a one-room clinic on her family land. During the civil war it grew into a hospital, school and camp that gave care and shelter to tens of thousands of displaced people.
Was Hawa Abdi Somalia's first female gynecologist?
Yes. She is widely recognised as Somalia's first female gynecologist, and she also earned a law degree.
Was Hawa Abdi nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize?
Yes, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. In 2010, Glamour named her and her daughters Women of the Year.
What happened when militants attacked Hawa Abdi's hospital?
In 2010 the militant group Hizbul Islam occupied her compound. She refused to hand it over, and after international pressure the militants left and apologised.
Sources & further reading
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