Celebrations erupted last week in the streets of Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, following Israel’s historic recognition of Somaliland’s independence, the first such recognition by any country. For one Israeli organization, however, the bridge between the two societies had been built 21 years earlier.
Since 2004, the Israeli nonprofit Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) has provided complex, life-saving heart surgeries free of charge to 49 children from Somaliland at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. That total includes 19 children treated in 2025 alone and 20 more in 2024.
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Children from Somaliland underwent heart surgery in Israel through the Save a Child’s Heart program many years before Israel's recognition
(Photo: SACH)
The connection began in 2004, when a Somaliland diplomat based in Ethiopia, Omar Haji Mahmoud, approached the Israeli Embassy in a desperate effort to save his child’s life. Although he was dismissed from his post as punishment for visiting Israel, he never regretted the decision. “A child’s life is more important than politics,” he said.
Simon Fisher, executive director at Save a Child’s Heart, recalled that first encounter. “I met the head of the Somaliland delegation to Ethiopia. It was the first time I had ever heard of Somaliland,” he said. “He spoke about his aspiration for diplomatic ties with Israel. Now, 21 years later, it is happening. I hope this will allow us to save the lives of many more children and turn both societies into allies."
One of the most moving cases from 2025 is that of Isra, a 5-year-old girl from Somaliland born with two life-threatening heart defects. Through the organization, she underwent open-heart surgery in Israel, along with eye surgery that significantly improved her vision.
In Somaliland, the organization works in cooperation with the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, founded by Edna Adan, a prominent nurse-midwife, Somaliland’s first foreign minister and a former first lady.
Alona Raucher Sternfeld, head of pediatric cardiology at Save a Child’s Heart, said she always looks forward to treating children from Somaliland. “We are committed to providing them with the highest quality cardiac care,” she said.
Senior pediatric cardiologist Dr. Sagi Assa added that caring for children from Somaliland holds special meaning for the medical team. “Despite the language barrier, the children’s smiles and the respectful conduct of their escorts remind us why this work matters,” he said.
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'We are committed to providing them with the highest quality cardiac care'
(Photo: SACH)
The relationship developed gradually, beginning with initial cooperation in 2012 and expanding significantly in 2021 following a visit by Dr. Adam Lee Goldstein to the Edna Adan Hospital, where he met young adults who had been treated in Israel as children.
Following the diplomatic recognition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced immediate cooperation in agriculture, health, technology and economy. In a friendly video call shared on his social media accounts, he congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, invited him to visit Israel and praised his commitment to peace. The Somaliland president expressed willingness to join the Abraham Accords, describing them as a step toward regional and global peace.
Save a Child’s Heart, which is marking its 30th anniversary, has treated more than 8,000 children from 75 countries and trained hundreds of doctors. Its staff includes Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Druze medical professionals, reflecting a model of coexistence and Israeli humanitarian outreach.
The organization’s work is supported by philanthropists and foundations, including Morris Kahn, Sylvan Adams, the Azrieli Foundation Canada-Israel, the Ted Arison Family Foundation and many others.