Mogadishu – Continuing his tradition of carrying out solidarity visits to Muslim countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the United Nations chief today landed in Somalia, where he underlined the need for international engagement to alleviate the country’s dire humanitarian situation and aid with state-building efforts. “I am also here to ring the alarm on the need of massive international support, massive international support because of the humanitarian difficulties the country is facing, massive humanitarian support in relation to the build-up of a security capacity of Somalia, and massive humanitarian support in stabilisation and development of the country,” Secretary-General António Guterres said in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. “Although Somalis make virtually no contribution to climate change, the Somalis are among the greatest victims. Nearly five million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. And of course, rising prices make matters worse. So I call on donors and I call on the international community to step up their support,” he added.   The UN chief made the comments at a joint press encounter with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia, the federal government’s premises, soon after landing in Mogadishu. He last visited Somalia six years ago. Millions in need Later on Tuesday, accompanied by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, who also serves as his Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, the Secretary-General saw first-hand some of the Somalis affected by the country’s humanitarian crisis during a visit to a camp for internally displaced people in Baidoa, the largest city in Somalia’s South West State. He met with two families at the ADC camp.  The first family had travelled 105 kilometres by foot and donkey cart to seek refuge in Baidoa last year after all of its livestock perished during the ongoing drought. The second family had done the same after its livestock died, and travelled some 70 kilometres to seek aid. “It is time for the international community to mobilise much more support, support for the Somalis to guarantee the security of their people and fight terrorism, support for the Somalis to solve the humanitarian drama that we can witness in a camp like this one. And support to the Somalis in creating the conditions to build the resilience of their population and to create a path of development for the people of Somalia,” Mr. Guterres said after the meetings.  “In the holy month of Ramadan,” he added, “we need to have generosity from the international community that is absolutely crucial to rescue these people that I've seen in this camp, and that live in such dramatic circumstances.”  Currently, nearly half of Somalia’s population – 8.25 million people – need lifesaving humanitarian and protection assistance due to climate shocks, which include five consecutive years of poor rainy seasons, and protracted conflict, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Of those, some 3.8 million are internally displaced, and nearly five million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. Around 1.8 million children are severely malnourished, and eight million people lack access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Two-thirds of all people in drought-affected areas have no access to essential healthcare. The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to meet Somalia’s needs requires $2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people – but its funding stands at around 15 per cent, so far. At the earlier joint media encounter in Mogadishu, the UN chief called on the international community to “urgently fund” the Plan. “Somali people deserve the solidarity of the international community, and deserve it to prevent malnutrition and displacement, to save lives, to avert famine,” he said. Support for state-building Prior to the press encounter, the Secretary-General met with the President and some members of his cabinet and advisors to discuss other matters, including wider state-building goals, along with his Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho, who also serves as the Officer-in-Charge of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). “The President and I discussed the government’s valuable efforts to tackle terrorism and advance peace and security for everyone, and we underlined the importance of an ever-stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and [Federal Member] States,” Mr. Guterres said.  “Federal and [Federal Member] State authorities can count on our support for further advanced state-building,” he continued, “and we are particularly encouraged by the recent agreement that was established in relation to the different matters of power sharing.” The UN chief also called on the international community to step up support beyond the humanitarian sphere, to help Somalis “be able to launch a new process of stabilisation and development in the country and to build up its capacities to fight Al-Shabaab with even more efficiency than in the recent past.”  Over recent months, Somalia’s security forces, reinforced by local militias, have conducted military operations against Al-Shabaab in the Federal Member States of Hirshabelle and Galmudug, and operations are expected to gradually move into other areas of Somalia. Meeting civil society Also on Tuesday, the UN chief met with representatives of Somali civil society organisations working in areas such as women’s affairs and empowerment, climate change, persons with disabilities, youth and marginalised groups to hear first-hand about their work and how the world body can support them. Later that evening with members of the Federal Government and representatives of the international community, he attended an iftar, the meal prepared for sunset to break the daily fasting observed by Muslims during Ramadan. The UN chief began his tradition of paying solidarity visits – which include him fasting too – during Ramadan while he was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, before taking up the UN’s top job in 2017. He has previously said that joining Muslims fasting during Ramadan has, over the years, showed to him “the true face of Islam.” At his press encounter in Mogadishu today, he noted that Somalia embodies Ramadan’s “timeless message of renewal and hope.” “In these challenging times, I want to commend your energy and resilience and reiterate the Unitoried Nations’ unwavering support,” Mr. Guterres said. “We stand in solidarity with the Somali people and the Somali Government - for peace, for security and for sustainable development.” Link to the original piece.

  Humanitarian | OCHA coordinates humanitarian response in Laascaanood Humanitarian partners stepped up efforts to assist people affected by conflict in Laascaanood. OCHA coordinated the response in the areas accessible to the humanitarian workers. In addition, the Humanitarian Coordinator authorised $2 million from the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) reserve allocation for life-saving interventions in Laascaanood. Click here for more   Drought response | WFP distributes wheat from Black Sea Grain Initiative WFP distributed grain from Ukraine in several areas of Somalia as part of an unprecedented scale-up of life-saving food assistance, responding to the historic drought and hunger crisis afflicting the country. The wheat came from a shipment of 25,000 tons that WFP, with the support of key donors, was able to bring into Somalia under the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This maritime humanitarian corridor is critical in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in Somalia and worldwide. Click here for more   Business development | UNIDO supports entrepreneurship training UNIDO, in collaboration with the European Business Network (EBN), organised a three-day Business Innovation Centres (BIC) Africa Somali Boot Camp Training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 14 to 16 March 2023. The BIC Africa Somali Bootcamp was an opportunity for selected Somali business incubators to meet, connect and exchange knowledge among themselves and with experts in incubation and innovative entrepreneurship from the EBN. Click here for more   Livelihoods | UNHCR launches fishing project in Bosaso. In March, UNHCR in Bosaso handed over 18 boats and fishing accessories to 18 groups - 90 people - from among refugees, internally displaced persons (IDP) and host communities. Additionally, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNHCR trained the recipients in fishing skills. Promoting fishing in refugee settings can boost the well-being of both the local host communities and the refugees. Fishing can provide a stable livelihood and access to resources to augment the cash income necessary for food and further income generation. Click here for more   Urbanisation | UN-Habitat supports Baidoa City Strategy UN-Habitat and UNDP supported Baidoa Municipality in developing the Baidoa City Strategy. Baidoa receives many IDPs, returnees, refugees and other migrants, and there is a need to improve the living conditions of displacement-affected communities, including host communities. The Baidoa City Strategy will guide the developments in all parts of the rapidly urbanising city towards sustainable urban growth. This includes infrastructure for both IDP and host communities.. Click here for more   Resilience|FAO trains Sool farmers in livestock production The livestock sector in Sool and the surrounding regions is one of the major contributors to the economy but is also one of the most vulnerable to shocks like drought. The poor condition of livestock affects agropastoralists’ livelihoods forcing some to move in search of better living conditions. It also causes child malnutrition and conflict over scarce water resources in semi-arid regions. With funding from the Dutch government, FAO is supporting local communities in the Sool region by introducing new approaches that strengthen traditional livelihoods. The Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Programme Building Food System Resilience in Protracted Crises (FNS-REPRO) Project employs simple technologies, innovation and peace-building elements to help communities adapt to climate disasters, working together to improve their resilience against future shocks and enhancing social cohesion. Click here for more   Women empowerment | UNFPA celebrates womanhood UNFPA Somalia marked International Women's Day 2023 with 14 diverse events. These included panel discussions on gender equality and opportunities for women, an art exhibition showcasing the works of Somali women, a display of craftsmanship by Somali women, and a community outreach event aimed at ending harmful practices, advocating for peace, and promoting girls' education. UNFPA and partners also distributed dignity kits at two IDP camps to support women and girls with essential hygiene supplies. Click here for more   Environment | UNDP supports Somalia in formulation of a new Environment Management Bill Somalia's House of the People unanimously endorsed the Environment Management Bill formulated by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change with financial support and technical assistance from UNDP and the Global Environment Facility. The Bill now advances to the Upper House. If passed, it will pave the way for better allocation and management of natural resources, boosting prosperity and security for millions of herders, pastoralists, and Somalis from all walks of life. Click here for more   Displacement | UNICEF provides humanitarian aid to displaced in Laascaanood Amidst the rising numbers of people displaced by fighting in Laascaanood, UNICEF stepped in with various forms of support. It delivered emergency safe water to 35,000 people, curative health services for diarrhoea, screening and treatment of malnutrition, and provision of micronutrient supplements to children and pregnant and lactating women. Additionally, UNICEF supported the return of about 1,300 children to school. Thanks to advocacy, the authorities in Puntland have waived tuition fees and uniform requirements for displaced pupils. UNICEF has trained 18 child protection workers to identify unaccompanied and separated children and other vulnerable children in Laascaanood and provide psychosocial support. Click here for more   Rule of law| UNOPS partners with EU in support of Somalia’s security forces UNOPS Somalia signed an MoU with a Somali partner to implement an EU-funded support package for Somalia's security forces. This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving a more stable and secure Somalia, and UNOPS Somalia's expertise in project management and implementation will be critical in ensuring the successful delivery of the EU support package. The EU's increased support has already had a significant impact on the ground, providing modern equipment and better communication tools to Somalia's security forces. Click here for more   Criminal investigation | IOM supports Somalia in tackling transnational organised crime Border officials and law enforcement specialists from the governments of Somalia and Kenya met in Machakos, Kenya, in February at a workshop organised by IOM to discuss joint practices to address transnational organised crime. Limited border management mechanisms and the region’s largely porous borders allowed criminal bands and extremist groups to trade illegal weapons and drugs without fearing prosecution and moving criminals between the countries. With IOM’s support, Somalia and Kenya are working on a framework to address transnational organised crime. The new framework, discussed during the workshop, will set out new mechanisms, recommendations and practices to enhance the cooperation between both countries to counter cross-border crimes and minimise threats from criminals. Click here for more   Water resources management | UN supports a systems approach to the water management Somalia UN Country Team and several external stakeholders took part in a four-month Leadership Lab introducing new concepts and tools on water challenges in the country. The group defined three systems leadership objectives: shifting mindsets on climate-resilient water resource management by deepening dialogue across sectors and levels; experimenting with joint programming; and developing a ‘do less environmental harm’ approach to humanitarian efforts on the water crisis. Click here for more   IWD | UN congratulates Somali women for their contribution to building a better Somalia On International Women’s Day, the United Nations in Somalia congratulated Somali women for their continued contributions to their country’s development. “From peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts to the stabilisation activities in areas recently recovered from Al-Shabaab control and the humanitarian response to the ongoing drought – Somali women continue to contribute significantly to all facets of public life,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho. Somali women’s contributions include providing humanitarian support – such as food and other essential supplies and accommodation – for people affected by conflict and the long-running drought. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality,’ and aims to highlight the importance of digital technology as an opportunity to narrow gender gaps by enhancing women’s access. Click here for more  

Bosaso – Somalia has around 2.9 million internally displaced people (IDPs). Their opportunities for a normal life have been disrupted by being forced to move due to conflict and climate change. Of these, some 300,000 are estimated to be school-age children. For them, the displacement also means a disruption to their chance at an education. In the northern city of Bosaso, Ali Abdirahman Abdulle is doing what he can to bring an end to that disruption. "It’s concerning that many children who could lead this nation are unschooled," the 56-year-old grassroots-level educator says. Mr. Abdulle runs the Hayatul Islam School at the Ajuran IDP camp, located on the eastern corner of the coastal city, which has ten IDP settlements within its boundaries. He is determined to make a difference, with his passion partly stemming from his own experience as an IDP.  From farm to IDP camp Hailing from a farming family in the Wanlaweyn district in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia’s South West State, Mr. Abdulle was born in 1967. His family’s circumstances led to him leaving primary school early as he needed to help provide for his family. Nonetheless, he was able to learn how to read and write thanks to Somalia's acclaimed mass literacy campaign in 1974–75. During this time, secondary schools were closed, and students and volunteers were sent to rural areas to teach people how to read. In 2005, the civil war in Somalia led him to flee South West State to Puntland, in the country’s north, where he and his family still live in the Hamarwayne IDP camp, located near the Ajuran IDP camp.  In 2018, seeing the number of young children missing out on school due to their circumstances as IDPs, he decided to act on some ideas that he had been considering. "I could not stand idly by while numerous Somali youngsters, including my own children, were growing up without receiving an education. When I realised the persistence of this challenging situation, I devised a plan to assist children in acquiring at least the basics of an education," Mr. Abdulle says. "I decided to start from scratch, so I built the school and sought volunteer teachers to help me provide basic education for 130 pupils – including in social studies, mathematics, English and the Quran," he adds. "I asked the displaced community members who had teaching experience to step forward and assist me in maximising the potential of these youngsters." His efforts culminated in the establishment that same year of the Hayatul Islam School, for which Mr. Abdulle serves as manager and teaches religious studies. The challenge of poverty Staffed by three teachers in a ramshackle building, the Hayatul Islam School currently provides classes covering standard subjects for grades one to four in the mornings and religious instruction in the afternoons, to 130 children, of whom 40 are girls. While progress has been made, with enrolment having risen over the past five years, it has not been easy, primarily due to the limited financial resources common to IDPs. "It is very challenging for us to continue the education of these children," Mr. Abdulle says. "The most important phase of education, despite being burdensome to most parents, is primary school. The families of children in Bosaso city pay $10 to $20 per month for private and government-run elementary schooling. A displaced person cannot find that kind of money, making it difficult for their children to pursue opportunities for a future like that of other children." Because of this, most of the 130 students at the Hayatul Islam school are enrolled for free, and the few families who can afford to pay are asked to contribute $3 each month to help cover the school’s low operating costs. Ensuring attendance Mr. Abdulle’s own five children, aged between seven and 16, also attend the school, and he is diligent in ensuring their attendance and that of others, despite the challenges. "I don't let my kids or the other kids in the IDP camp miss school," he says. "Some children still miss classes for other reasons, including those who help their parents meet their basic needs. I believe education is not a priority for the families at IDP centres because they struggle for survival." Knowing that, and having been in a similar situation, the education activist takes things a step further by going to the homes of students to encourage their parents to ensure they are able to go to school. "I strongly encourage parents to send their children to school. I try to convince them that their financial difficulties should not prevent their children from attending school," he says. The IDP school receives support from a few local community members in Bosaso, and, of late, Mr. Abdulle has been considering expanding the initiative to other locations. He has reached out to government and humanitarian agencies to seek support. "I am also going to seek assistance from Puntland’s Ministry of Education to provide free education to children in internally displaced camps," Mr. Abdulle says. Education and human rights The United Nations in Somalia strongly advocates for increased funding of its education sector to ensure education is accessible to all communities. The United Nations is also heavily engaged in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fourth SDG is centred on education, with the premise being that when people are able to get quality education they can break from the cycle of poverty, thus reducing inequalities, enabling upward socioeconomic mobility and helping to reach gender equality. Part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone everywhere, and were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda, which sets out a 15-year plan to achieve the SDGs. In addition, education is a human right, according to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which is the foundational document for much of the world's human rights developments. "Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It will advance the UN's efforts to maintain peace by fostering mutual respect, tolerance, and friendship among all nations, regardless of race or religious affiliation," the UDHR states. One of the six guiding principles in the segment on education within the Five-Year Puntland Development Plan for 2020-2024 is that of access, which is defined as the ability of every learner to have equal opportunity to access education, regardless of their social class, age, gender, race, ethnic background, or disability. This principle aligns with the values of the UDHR, which emphasizes the importance of equal rights and non-discrimination for all individuals, including in the realm of education. Link to the original story. 

  Education | UNICEF provides displaced children with access to learning The prolongated drought in Somalia has exacted an extensive toll on access to education, with an estimated 3.85 million children and school personnel requiring humanitarian education assistance, and some 1.7 million of them being displaced. As part of the Emergency Drought Response Programme, UNICEF and partners are providing 16,732 displaced children with access to learning in schools and temporary learning spaces across 12 drought-affected districts. The programme is focused on teaching Accelerated Basic Education level one curriculum and bringing learning to children in sites of displacement. It includes emergency support, temporary learning spaces with gender sensitive water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, drinking water, teaching and learning materials, as well as training and support to teachers. Click here for more   Climate change | UNDP launches solar programme to increase energy access UNDP and the Federal Government of Somalia launched the Somalia arm of the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) to increase access to electricity, bring new development opportunities to rural communities and contribute to putting the country on a sustainable development path. Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Africa Minigrids Program is a regional energy access programme led by UNDP, in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Institute and the African Development Bank. The AMP works with 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to promote scaled-up investments in solar minigrids with the aim of increasing access to sustainable, affordable energy while supporting climate action. The AMP Somalia project will be implemented by UNDP in partnership with the country’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and the private sector. Click here for more   Infrastructure | UNOPS holds groundbreaking ceremony for Criminal Investigation Department premises UNOPS held a groundbreaking ceremony in Mogadishu for the new Criminal Investigation Department (CID) facility for Somalia’s police force. The event was attended by the State Minister for Interior Security, Mohamed Ali Haga; the country’s Police Commissioner, General Sulub Ahmed Firin; a representative from the European Union, Veronique Geoffroy; and the acting Country Director for UNOPS in Somalia, Sayed Mohammad. The CID, a critical component of the Somali Police Force, operates throughout the country and is responsible for handling investigations, fingerprinting, criminal records, immigration matters, and passport services. Click here for more   Humanitarian | OCHA facilitates launch of 2023 Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan OCHA facilitated the release of the Somalia 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) to help the millions of Somalis in urgent need of humanitarian aid. The event was jointly launched by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, the Federal Government of Somalia, and international donors and partners. The HRP seeks $2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people, who make up more than 90 per cent of the 8.25 million people who need life-saving assistance. The number of people in need stems from a projection based on the 2022 post-gu assessments and may change with future assessments, according to OCHA. Click here for more   Development | UNIDO supports second Italy-Somalia trade forum UNIDO plans to support the holding of the second Italy-Somalia Business and Trade Forum, which was announced by Somalia’s Minister for Commerce and Industries, Jibril Abdirashid Haji. The forum will take place in Rome in May, and will aim to promote Somalia as a destination for business for international companies. The announcement came during a visit to Italy by the President of Somalia, at a roundtable also attended by the Ambassador of Italy in Somalia, Alberto Vecchi. The roundtable also covered the state of business relationships between Italy and Somalia, as well as the progress made by UNIDO’s on-the-ground support, which includes investment promotion and trade fairs, and which is funded by Italy. Click here for more   Female Genital Mutilation | UNFPA collaborates with stakeholders to end female genital mutilation On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, which is marked on 6 February annually, UNFPA participated in the ‘Dear Daughter’ Campaign working group which aims to help end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Somalia. The working group’s meeting was organised by the Ifrah Foundation and the Embassy of Ireland, and it brought together experienced and committed partners to support the scale-up and rollout of the ‘Dear Daughter’ campaign against FGM. The working group's members work together to plan appropriate actions and identify resources necessary to achieve the goal of ending FGM in Somalia, in addition to providing a space to share expertise, knowledge and collaboration on specific issues tied into the practice, such as anti-FGM legislation and building community awareness and outreach. Click here for more   Migration | IOM launches appeal to support one million vulnerable migrants IOM and its partners are appealing for $84 million to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance, protection interventions and development support to one million migrants and host communities on the route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen and the Gulf, known as the ‘Eastern Route.’ Every year, more than 250,000 migrants, including young men, women and children, leave their countries in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, for the Gulf nations in search of better livelihood opportunities. According to IOM, recent trends indicate an increase in the movement of young women and children who are at high risk of gender-based violence, trafficking and violence along the route. The devastating effects of climate change, conflicts and overall, poor socio-economic conditions remain the key drivers of migration. IOM’s actions in the appeal come within the context of its role as the coordinator of the multi-agency regional Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa and Yemen. The appeal is a joint effort with the governments of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen, and 48 partners made up of UN agencies and non-government agencies. Click here for more   Development | UNSOM supports launch of national plan for women in Somali maritime sector UNSOM supported the launch of a new national action plan for enhancing and empowering Somali women in their country’s maritime sector. “The Women in Maritime Sector (WiMS) National Action Plan will help to ensure that women operating across the maritime domain are provided increased visibility and opportunities to not only participate in, but also benefit from, the sector,” the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho, said in her remarks at the launch event in Mogadishu. Somalia’s maritime domain is widely considered as providing immense economic opportunities in the ‘Blue Economy.’ However, there is a critical shortage of maritime skills due to the lack of educational and institutional capacity, and a significant gender inequality. Click here for more   Drought response | UN-Habitat provides water and cash assistance to displaced people in Baidoa As a response to the ongoing drought, temporary water trucking was delivered to 410 drought-affected households living in the ADC area of Baidoa for a duration of two months, ending in February this year. During this time, beneficiaries were able to collect 10 litres of water per day/per person for drinking and domestic use by using a voucher system. Alongside this, UN-Habitat also provided unconditional cash assistance to 200 families for the same period. This was designed to mitigate the effects of the recent spike in arrivals of internally displaced people (IDP) to Baidoa, which resulted in further water scarcity in IDP settlements. UN-Habitat also made external partnerships to secure two more water bladders to promote access to water and increase the number beneficiaries being supplied with water. Click here for more   Education | FAO and EU launch livestock scholarships for young people in Somalia More than 100 young women and men have received scholarships to study livestock programmes to bolster technical capacity within this key productive sector of Somalia. Supported by FAO and the European Union (EU), through the ‘Resilient Fisheries and Livestock Value Chain for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Somalia’ (RAAISE) project, the initiative enables young people to study at the Somali National University in Mogadishu for three years, covering the costs of their tuition fees and graduation projects. The last group of students will graduate in January 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry. The new scholarship programmme underlines the importance of tertiary education in building capacities in sustainable livestock management, and recognizes the sector as a critical avenue of development in Somalia, requiring joint commitment and a strong skills base that can meet the challenges of the future. Click here for more