Latest
Story
16 May 2022
UN welcomes conclusion of Somalia’s presidential election
Learn more
Press Release
10 May 2022
International partners welcome plans to conclude Somali elections this week
Learn more
Press Release
04 May 2022
On World Press Freedom Day, UN emphasizes vital role of Somali media
Learn more
Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Somalia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Somalia:
Story
21 February 2021
Upholding the dignity of vulnerable women and girls during humanitarian crises
At a very tender age of four, Fardowsa Ahmed from Galkacyo was infected by polio, a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. She was never taken to the hospital for treatment as her mother did not realize the seriousness of the problem. Fardowsa lost the use of both her hands and legs.
"I was being discriminated against even by fellow children. They did not want to include me in any activities," said Fardowsa.
Due to the discrimination, her mother did not send her to school. She also had problems moving around. "My family is very poor, and my mother only managed to get me a wheelchair at the age of 13," Fardowsa said.
Fardowsa's mother, Kalsoon, is a single parent with two children; the youngest is only four years old. Kalsoon depended on agricultural activities to earn a living.
The family was affected by drought, and they couldn't cope with the scarcity of water, depletion of pasture and livestock. Kalsoon ended up moving her family into a settlement for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The current humanitarian situation has not helped matters; Somalia continues to face complex and protracted humanitarian crises due to the coronavirus pandemic, climate-related shocks namely floods, drought, cyclone, desert locusts, conflict and the protracted situation affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Now at the age of 14, Fardowsa's personal needs have increased. She's reached puberty and requires menstrual hygiene products.
Loss of livelihoods and food insecurity, especially among female-headed households and other vulnerable women and adolescent girls, have worsened food aid dependency and humanitarian assistance.
UNFPA Somalia continues to provide access to life-saving integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services, including the provision of COVID-19 adapted dignity kits.
As part of the response to women and girls' specific needs, UNFPA Somalia and its partner Somali Birth Attendants Cooperative Organisation (SBACO) has distributed 300 dignity kits to marginalized women and girls in the surrounding areas of Galkacyo. Fardowsa and Kalsoon have benefited from the intervention.
"Beneficiary checklists were cross-checked to avoid the same person, or same household receiving multiple kits in line with a strict information sharing protocols for the protection of sensitive data," said SBACO Program coordinator Hinda Abdi Muse.
Kalsoon is thankful to SBACO and UNFPA Somalia.
"All the dignity kits that UNFPA distributed through SBACO suit our needs. We received sanitary pads, soap for washing, underwear, antibacterial surface cleaning solution for hands and hand sanitiser," said Kalsoon, adding: "I used to spend $3 just to soap. We used to collect dirty and unwanted clothes from the neighbours to use as sanitary pads."
Women and girls with disabilities face significantly more difficulties and double discrimination, which places them at higher risk of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation.
Emergencies disrupt daily life and often cause the displacement of populations, with the loss of many of their possessions. During these emergencies, women and girls face several needs, threats and situations which must be considered in any response.
"COVID-19 in Somalia has really exposed the protection needs of vulnerable women and girls. Those in the camps for internally displaced persons and hard to reach areas are most affected. UNFPA Somalia and its partners prioritize to address the needs of vulnerable women and girls, including persons with disabilities, displaced people and GBV survivors. Services provided include psycho-social support, case management, clinical management of rape, dignity kits and referrals," said Ridwan Abdi, UNFPA Humanitarian Specialist.
He said preserving dignity is essential to maintaining self-esteem and confidence, critical to coping in stressful and potentially overwhelming humanitarian situations. Women and girls need essential items to interact comfortably and safely in public. "They also need access to personal hygiene, particularly menstrual hygiene. Without access to culturally appropriate clothing and hygiene items, the mobility of women and girls is restricted. Their health and safety can also be compromised. As a result, they might be unable to seek basic services, including humanitarian aid," said Abdi.
Link to the original story.
1 of 3
Take Action
03 August 2020
Visit our COVID-19 Data Portal
Find out what the UN in Somalia is doing in response to the COVID-19 health emergency.
1 of 3
Story
23 December 2021
Somalia is on the path of recovery, but real challenges remain
I arrived in Somalia in September 2019, two decades after having worked here previously. I knew that I was taking up a challenging assignment, but I was also looking forward to seeing Somalia’s progress. Afflicted by decades of conflict, recurrent climatic shocks, disease outbreaks and poverty, Somalia was often called a ‘failed state.’ The narrative is now changing, and although fragile, Somalia is on a path to stability and the resilience of the Somali people is second to none. That said, we are not under any illusion: significant challenges remain, and we must work even harder to preserve the gains made to date. Somalia’s upward trajectory is evident in the construction boom, as one analyst noted -- the sound of the hammer is replacing the sound of gunfire in Somalia’s capital.
The UN has been closely supporting the Somali people since the birth of the Republic in 1960. Currently, the UN's various mandates are implemented through 26 Agencies, Funds and Programmes (both resident and non-resident), one political mission (UNSOM) and one logistical support mission (UNSOS). The UN’s commitment towards the Somali cause is articulated in detail in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025), mirroring the priorities of Somalia’s Ninth National Development Plan (NDP-9).
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN marshalled support to help the Somali government respond to the virus outbreak. We continue to support the Somali authorities in seeking to defeat this pandemic and encouraging people to get vaccinated. Elections are also on-going in Somalia. The UN is supporting the process to ensure that elections are held in a peaceful and transparent manner, while at the same time advocating for 30 per cent women’s quota in the Somali legislature.
While these are encouraging signs of progress, we must not forget Somalia’s long-standing challenges. According to UN’s projections for next year, an estimated 7.7 million Somalis (nearly half of the country’s population) will require humanitarian assistance and protection. Women and children continue to bear the brunt of Somalia’s complex humanitarian crises, especially among the internally displaced communities. In light of the current serious droughts, the Somali government declared a humanitarian state of emergency on 23 November. Yet, neither the government nor the humanitarian community has adequate resources to respond. With a few days remaining in the year, the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan which seeks US$1.09 billion remains only 70 per cent funded. Additional resources are urgently needed to prevent the dire humanitarian situation from becoming a catastrophe, so we continue to engage partners on this subject. In this regard, I undertook missions to Europe in October and to the Gulf in September. Throughout my interactions with partners, I stressed the need for additional funding to address Somalia’s escalating humanitarian crisis and elaborated on how inaction not only risks a reversal of the gains but puts the lives of millions of Somalis in jeopardy.
Through my field visits in Somalia, I have also seen first-hand the grim realities of adverse climate conditions. Somalia is no doubt on the frontline of climate change. The recurrent droughts and floods are driving widespread displacement, rapid urbanization, hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Climate change is also increasingly seen as the driver of conflict and a threat to the country’s security as the struggle over meagre resources deepens divisions. In addition, the loss of traditional livelihoods makes people vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups such as Al-Shabaab. Somalia is currently experiencing a third consecutive season of below-average rainfall, with nearly 80 per cent of the country experiencing drought conditions, water shortages and livestock deaths. One in five Somalis does not have enough water to cover his/her basic needs. On a positive note, as part of the efforts to mitigate the climate emergency, the government, with the support of the United Nations, has recently adopted an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution to achieve global climate targets, in which Somalia committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
Somalia’s crises are multifaceted, and they require comprehensive solutions from all stakeholders. It is our collective responsibility to support the efforts of the Somali people to cope with these crises and find lasting solutions that build resilience against future shocks. We must not fail the people we pledged to serve.
Adam Abdelmoula, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, held a press conference on Monday, 20 December on the situation in Somalia, where the UN and partners is launching a nearly $1.5 billion Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). Roughly 7.7 million people in the country will need assistance and protection in 2022, a 30 per cent rise in just one year.
Written by Adam Abdelmoula, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia
1 of 3
Story
18 May 2022
UN welcomes conclusion of Somalia’s presidential election
Mogadishu – The United Nations in Somalia welcomed the conclusion of the country’s presidential election today.
“I would like to congratulate the newly-elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his victory tonight, but also express our appreciation to the other candidates, and particularly outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmaajo,’ for respecting the outcome and for continuing the Somali tradition of embracing whoever wins and supporting them going forward – the atmosphere tonight, I think, was very positive," the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, said in the early hours of Monday morning.
The UN official was speaking at the conclusion of the election, at the venue in Mogadishu known locally as the “hangar,” located near the Aden Adde International Airport, where he and other representatives of Somalia’s international partners had been invited.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud won office on the third round of voting by the country’s parliamentarians, after some twelve hours of voting and counting. There had been close to 40 candidates standing for the office.
The UN Special Representative flagged that the electoral process had been a long one, as well as actively competitive – and that focusing on domestic and state-building priorities should now become the focus of attention.
“There have been some difficult moments in this lengthy election. However, I believe that tonight's process demonstrated that it was a genuine horse race, that it was a competitive election, and that there was an opportunity for all of the candidates to contest fairly, and, so I think this is an opportunity now to demonstrate that the outcome is credible,” Mr. Swan said.
“Now it's time for Somalis and for Somalia's friends to come together to support the new government as it is installed, and to work on the critical national priorities that still face Somalia,” he added. “There's much work to be done, and we look forward to being Somalia's partners going forward.”
The UN official also noted that some of the country’s critical priorities include finishing the constitutional review process, addressing urgent needs for improved development, security and the current drought.
In a tweet later on Monday, the UN in Somalia also praised Somalia's parliamentary Speakers and Deputy Speakers, the presidential election organizing committee and professional parliamentary staff, as well as Somali security forces and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), for ensuring Sunday’s orderly, peaceful, and secure presidential election, the results of which have been fully accepted.
1 of 5
Story
07 May 2022
Guiding hands during complex births in Dollow
"All my other pregnancies were fine with no bleeding. If stayed at home a little longer, I would have died from profuse bleeding, yet my children do not have a grandmother to take care of them," Sokorey says with wide eyes.
Sokorey Hassan lives in Kabasa, one of the biggest refugee camps in Dollow, Somalia. Her previous deliveries happened at home under the care of traditional birth attendance without any complications. She was not too concerned when she experienced vaginal bleeding in the eighth month of her latest pregnancy so she visited a private clinic. Local community influencers, from a programme of women who visit other women at household level for health interventions, advised her to go to Dollow Referral Health Centre (RHC) for specialty care. Sokorey did not have extra money for transport so Trocaire’s ambulance took her to the health facility for an emergency obstetric ultrasound and she was admitted. After one week, the bleeding stopped, and both Sokorey and her unborn child's condition improved. She was discharged but advised to attend the antenatal clinic and encouraged to deliver her baby by caesarean at RHC.
Two weeks later, Trocaire’s female community influencer visited Sokorey for a follow-up and shared her contact information in case of complications. However, Sokorey opted to stay home and not visit the clinic.
A week later, Sokorey started bleeding at home and was immediately brought by Trocaire ambulance to Dollow RHC. On admission, Sokorey was in shock and experiencing respiratory failure. Also, the unborn baby's heart rate was weak. Doctor Shueb Abdishakur immediately administered 4 units of blood.
Sokorey and her husband were informed she must have an emergency caesarean section to save her and the baby’s life. The delivery was complicated with a degree of bleeding but eventually a baby boy was extracted.
The baby was immediately resuscitated and put on oxygen and the mother was taken to the recovery room in stable condition. For seven day, she was observed with the baby by Dr. Abdishakur, on antibiotics and had given two units blood. Once healthy, Sokorey was advised on antenatal services to improve her nutritional status and encouraging exclusive breastfeeding. The baby was also immunised before they were discharged.
Sokorey returned after 1 week for a check-up; her wound had healed, and her baby was doing well.
"I thought I was going to die, but doctors and nurses saved my life here in Trocaire", says Sokorey Hassan. "My son also received immunization. None of my eleven children had been immunized before. Two of my children are still eligible for the vaccine, and I will ensure to bring them for immunization," she concludes.
Globally, many women suffer pregnancy-related complications with a significant number of fatalities. This is primarily due to a lack of access and/or sufficient knowledge. The few who can access medical care also delay doing so hence putting themselves at a greater risk.
The statistics are worse in Somalia, a country that has one of the highest rates of maternal deaths, mainly due to the decades of dysfunctional health systems, cultural stereotypes and harmful cultural practices.
Trocaire, with funding from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has been implementing the Somali Health and Nutrition Programme in Gedo. Through this support, Trocaire has managed to provide basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care to many women. Many pregnant women’s lives have been saved and maternal deaths averted by a fraction.
Link to the original piece.
1 of 5
Story
18 April 2022
UN pledges continued support following Hargeisa market fire
Hargeisa – On a visit to Hargeisa today, a senior United Nations official pledged the world body’s support for efforts to rebuild the Waheen marketplace which was recently destroyed in a blaze.
“I am here primarily to reassure our partners in the government of Somaliland, civil society, the business community and all those affected, that the UN is here, and we are in this together,” the UN Resident Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, said while visiting the ruins of the marketplace.
Located in central Hargeisa and spread out over five square kilometres, the Waheen marketplace was the largest market in Somaliland. It played a vital role in the local economy, with an estimated 5,000 businesses present, drawing sellers and shoppers from the city and surrounding communities. It is estimated that the market provided income for 17,000 merchants and workers and, taking their families into account, a total of around 136,000 people are directly affected.
Amidst the destruction, the UN official was shaken by what he saw and heard.
“For the first time, I can say that I'm very unhappy being in in Hargeisa. I have never said this before. It looks like a war zone; what you see behind me is a devastated city. Hargeisa used to be a centre of vibrancy, trade. It used to be a big hub. I recall over 20 years ago, even we in the UN system used to come from Nairobi to shop for some of the electronics from Hargeisa – and to see all of that which has been built by this resilient people for over 30 years ago go up in smoke overnight is truly heartbreaking,” said Mr. Abdelmoula, who also serves as the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative to Somalia and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.
Joint assessments
Mr. Abdelmoula’s visit followed a week-long visit by a team of UN technical experts, who worked with the Somaliland authorities and the fire response committee, to assess the immediate, medium- and long-term support needed to help those affected by the blaze.
The UN team included staff from nine UN agencies, funds and programmes – the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN-Habitat, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
The joint preliminary assessment was presented to international donor partners in a meeting held in Nairobi last week. The UN team and partners are continuing with the collection of data, while also jointly working on a more detailed assessment report with Somaliland partners.
Short to longer term
While in Hargeisa, the UN Resident Coordinator met with the Minister of Planning and National Development, Omar Ali Abdillahi, to discuss the support. He offered UN technical assistance in the designing and rebuilding of a new and safer marketplace.
“In the medium-term, we will continue to partner with the government and with the municipality to see to it that the UN contributes the technical input that is required for the designing of a fire-resistant, state-of-the-art, modern market that is compliant with the best safety standards,” Mr. Abdelmoula said.
He added that the new marketplace would also designed to be environmentally-friendly, accessible to people with disabilities, and with facilities especially for women, while also blending with local culture and traditions.
Also for the medium- and longer-term recovery efforts, the UN senior official said the rebuilding of the market would help with lessons learned to be used in other parts of Hargeisa.
“This is an opportunity for the rethinking of not only building back better, but also for looking at the other markets, which I understand are equally congested, and how can we decongest them, how could we use this opportunity to improve things and do so in a way that that would ensure safety, but also sustainability to incorporate best practices,” Mr. Abdelmoula said.
In terms of more immediate support, he flagged that recovery planning should address the needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the blaze. These include daily wage-earners, small business owners, female-headed households, internally displaced people, people with disabilities, refugees and minority groups.
“Those are, by far, the most affected. So as soon as we are certain the numbers and the data get disaggregated, we will coordinate very closely with the government to see to it that the UN contributes to the alleviation of the suffering of the most affected,” Mr. Abdelmoula said, and also noting the government had been providing cash handouts to those some of those most in need.
While in Hargeisa, the UN senior official also met with one of the city's Deputy Mayors, Khadar Ahmed Omer, and city councillors, as well as members of the response committee.
“The total loss of property and impact of the fire in the Waahen market has been estimated to be around $1.5 to $2 billion. So far, we have received less than $20 million and so we ask the world to help us in the reconstruction of the market as well support to all those who lost property,” the deputy mayor said.
He added that a list had finalized with around 5,000 people identified as victims who lost property in the inferno, and that there were many more affected people who were employed in businesses at the marketplace.
In addition to providing for the livelihoods of thousands of local residents, the Waheen marketplace was a significant source of revenue for the Hargeisa municipality, as well as for overall government revenue. Somaliland’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture estimates that the fire accounted for 40 to 50 per cent of the city’s economy.
According to Somaliland’s response committee established to lead the immediate relief efforts and planning for the market’s reconstruction. In addition, the destruction of so many goods has led to scarcity and inflation in Hargeisa.
Link to the original piece.
1 of 5
Story
14 April 2022
“I'm 95-years-old and I have never seen such drought” – UN officials in Somalia told on humanitarian visit
“I'm 95 years old and I have never seen such drought. Animals died, people now… we seriously need support and people who can help us. We don’t even have something to cook for our families; we have almost nothing,” says Seynab Fiddle Cirowe, a grandmother residing in a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) outside the town of Dollow, in Somalia’s south-west.
Her words, and the emotion they carry, are not lost on a group of veteran senior United Nations officials listening to her under a tree. They have come to Dollow to assess the humanitarian situation there and highlight the dire state in which millions of Somalis find themselves.
“It is part of our effort to bring this to the world’s attention – these people are looking at the threat of famine in the face… without resources we cannot scale up, we cannot help these people. I saw malnourished children who are struggling for breath, whose mothers are equally malnourished,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, after speaking with Ms. Cirowe.
Located in the southern Federal Member State of Jubaland, Dollow has been hard hit by Somalia’s current wave of drought. Three IDP camps have sprung up since November 2021 alone due to an influx of newly-arrived IDPs.
The UN has been working with district authorities and humanitarian partners to help those in need. The local response has been scaled up to target 180,000 people, primarily through cash transfers totalling around $1.6 million, and with the provision of 108,000 metric tons of food rations.
Grim outlook
The outlook remains grim, with more people being displaced and seeking aid in regional centres such as Dollow.
“The resources are not anywhere near enough. Everywhere you go, look at these people behind me – all of them are new arrivals – 400 families arrived in the past two weeks alone in this single IDP camp, and there are many around Dollow,” said Mr. Abdelmoula, who also serves as the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative to Somalia and UN Resident Coordinator.
Mr. Abdelmoula was in Dollow, located on Somalia’s border with Ethiopia, with top officials from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
While on the ground, they met the local district commissioner and members of Dollow’s drought committee. They later visited a local clinic run by Trocaire, a non-governmental organization, as well as a school for young IDPs. They also visited the Kaxareey IDP camp – home to some thousands of IDPs – and met with its community leaders, as well as Ms. Cirowe.
The humanitarian situation around Dollow is an example of how severe the impact of the drought has been. Somalia is facing the risk of famine as a combination of poor rainfall, skyrocketing food prices and huge funding shortfalls leaves almost 40 per cent of Somalis – around six million people – facing critical levels of food insecurity.
Despite limited resources, UN humanitarian agencies and partners have been hard at work. Collectively, they reached almost two million people with humanitarian assistance as of February 2022. But unless more donor funding is received, assistance cannot be maintained nor scaled up to meet growing needs.
Underfunded response
Somalia’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for 2022 was launched late last year. It seeks close to $1.5 billion to cover the estimated costs of providing support for Somalis in need – but, so far, only 4.4 per cent of that amount has been received.
“Funding is everything – we have the expertise, we have people, we have the communities who will work with us, but what's needed are the supplies, and in some locations additional staff and partners,” said UNICEF’S Representative a.i., Angela Kearney.
“You need Plumpy Nut [a peanut-based paste for the treatment of severe malnutrition], you need the chlorine tablets, you need to truck the water, you need all of those things,” Ms. Kearney continued. “We need recreation kits for children; they need to play; they need to have a childhood. Once there is funding, UNICEF, the Government and our partners can do so much more.”
Children under five are among the most vulnerable as the drought worsens, and access to food and milk is very scarce due to rising commodity prices and livestock losses. Around 1.4 million children face acute malnutrition through the end of this year, with around a quarter of them, or 330,000 children, facing severe acute malnutrition.
Ukraine impact
The war in Ukraine is having an impact on the situation in Somalia. Previously, up to 85 per cent of Somalia’s wheat imports came from Russia and Ukraine; that has stopped, leading to price increases of 160 per cent in just one month.
The conflict there, as well as other crises in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, Yemen and Afghanistan, has also drawn away attention.
“I know that the world is very much occupied by Ukraine, but human suffering is human suffering, no matter whether in Europe or Asia or Africa. And here we have to live up to our moral values, and [according to] our moral values, humanity matters – if we are not responding now and we are not increasing our response, those people will be heading to famine. And that is not acceptable,” said WFP’s Representative and Country Director, El-Khidir Daloum.
Geneva meeting
The United Nations plans to hold a high-level meeting in Geneva later this month to bring together international donors on the issue of more support for Somalia’s humanitarian needs.
“We cannot really emphasize enough the fact that the drought situation is getting worse – we are actually moving from a drought response now into a prevention of famine,” said OCHA’s Deputy Head of Office, Peter Ekayu.
“So it is getting more intense, it is getting more severe, is getting more acute,” he added. “And all of the indicators are that this situation will get more severe because we are expecting probably a fourth failed rainy season.”
Weather forecasts are predicting an average to below-average rainy season for Somalia. More than 80 per cent of the country has remained generally dry, and water and staple food prices have experienced dramatic price hikes.
In addition, current levels of food and water assistance are quickly being outpaced by the rapid increase in the size of the food insecure population, widening of household food consumption gaps, loss of livelihood assets, and worsening acute malnutrition levels.
If the funding gap is not urgently addressed, it will contribute to worse outcomes with a real risk of widespread famine. The last time such a humanitarian tragedy struck Somalia was in 2011, when famine conditions killed a quarter of a million people.
Link to the original story.
1 of 5
Story
14 April 2022
UNDP supports creation of Somalia’s first all-women media team
Mogadishu – Efforts to ensure that women’s voices are heard in Somalia’s media sector received a boost this week with the launch of ‘Bilan,’ the country’s first all-women newsroom.
Somali women journalists cite a litany of challenges to doing their work. They are harassed on the street when taking out a camera or trying to conduct an interview. Official figures sometimes refuse to talk to them, demanding that a male journalist asks the questions instead.
Even inside their own newsrooms, women face harassment from colleagues and are routinely denied training opportunities and promotions. If a woman does reach a position of authority, she is often ignored while more junior figures get to call the shots.
As a result, women’s careers are stymied and the Somali media sector can fall short on covering issues of concern to half the population – such as domestic violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation and much more.
“The Somali media is a hostile environment for female journalists. They are frowned upon by a society that believes a woman’s role is to stay at home, cook and have children,” is how Laylo Osman, chairperson of the Somali Women Journalists Rights Association, described the situation in a recent assessment of the Somali media scene done for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Somalia.
In response, UNDP has supported the creation of Bilan, an all-women, editorially independent media outlet. Bilan, which means bright and pure in Somali, began its operations this month. Staffed and run entirely by women – five journalists and an editor – it aims to produce high-quality, high-impact, original journalism across all platforms, including television and radio.
Hard news and features
The Bilan team’s reporting will cover both hard news and in-depth features. With its unique perspective and access to women’s lives and opinions, it also aims to break new ground for Somali journalism overall, shining a light on stories that have long been ignored.
It is being hosted by the Dalsan Media Group, a leading media house in Somalia, in specially-equipped offices that occupy an entire floor of a building in Mogadishu. In addition to the office space, Dalsan provides a guaranteed platform for distribution of the women’s reports on its television, radio and web platforms.
UN support
UNDP is covering Bilan’s costs. It will also manage a comprehensive programme of training and mentoring, designed in consultation with local women journalists and based on their experience of real-life challenges.
According to the UN agency, the rolling programme of support brings onboard well-respected trainers, including Lyse Doucet and Razia Iqbal from the British Broadcasting Corporation, Lindsey Hilsum from the UK’s Channel 4 and Mohammed Adow from Al Jazeera, as well as high-profile government spokespeople and public figures.
The training covers all aspects of digital journalism. On the technical side, it includes skills such as video production, photography and sound editing. More broadly, it will cover investigative reporting and interview techniques, media ethics and safety in the field.
Bilan also runs an internship programme for women journalism students in their final year at Mogadishu University and Somalia National University. Those with the best scores who pass a competitive interview will have the opportunity to spend six months working with Bilan and benefitting from both practical experience and the ongoing training programme.
UNDP is also helping Bilan find a global audience by working with international outlets that can feature its reporting work. The UN agency also plans to set up networks for Somali women journalists to collaborate with women reporters in similarly difficult environments, such as in Afghanistan, as part of an effort to provide ways for women to support each other, share experiences and skills and learn how other people have overcome similar challenges.
1 of 5
Press Release
11 May 2022
International partners welcome plans to conclude Somali elections this week
Mogadishu – Somalia’s international partners* welcome the announcement by the parliamentary organizing committee that the election of the President will take place on Sunday, 15 May 2022. We are encouraged by the positive progress in registering presidential candidates and other preparations for this electoral deadline to be met.
There is no justification for any further delay. With both chambers of Parliament sworn in and fully functional, any outstanding electoral issue should be resolved by the duly elected parliamentary leaders.
We urge Somalia’s leaders to conclude this final stage of the electoral process swiftly, peacefully and credibly so that attention can turn to domestic and state-building priorities.
*African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union (EU), Finland, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, League of Arab States (LAS), Netherlands, Norway, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Qatar, Russian Federation, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and United Nations.
1 of 5
Press Release
04 May 2022
On World Press Freedom Day, UN emphasizes vital role of Somali media
Mogadishu – On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations in Somalia emphasizes the vital role that the country’s media play in Somali society and the need to ensure their ability to carry out their work safely and freely.
“Somalia’s media are a key component for the growth of democracy, and they need to be able to go about their work free from threats, intimidation and harm so they can carry out their important work,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
Journalists in Somalia remain under physical threat in many areas. Since May last year, one journalist has been killed and two others injured. Moreover, 64 journalists and media workers have been arrested while carrying out their work.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993, with 3 May designated for the observance to mark the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a landmark statement on the link between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good. The Day acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom, as well as celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
1 of 5
Press Release
04 May 2022
UN wishes peaceful Eid-al-Fitr to all Somalis
Mogadishu – The United Nations family in Somalia extends warm greetings to all Somalis on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr.
“The United Nations wishes a peaceful and safe Eid-al-Fitr to the people of Somalia as we come to the end of the holy month of Ramadan,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
“The values and lessons of Ramadan – reflection, self-discipline, charity, and communal solidarity – are foundations on which to build Somalia’s progress and development. We will continue to support Somalis as they advance their national priorities. Ciid Wanaagsan,” he added.
1 of 5
Press Release
04 May 2022
International partners welcome election of Somalia’s parliamentary leadership
Mogadishu – Somalia’s international partners* welcome the successful elections for leadership positions in the Upper House on 26 April 2022 and the House of the People on 27-28 April 2022. We congratulate the newly elected Speakers and Deputy Speakers as they assume their important responsibilities at this critical moment for Somalia.
After the protracted delays and obstacles in choosing the members of parliament, the election of the parliamentary leadership is a major achievement. We appreciate the efforts of all Somalis who contributed to completion of these parliamentary votes.
We urge that election of the President now be completed promptly, peacefully, and credibly, so that Somalia’s elected leaders can address national priorities for the benefit of all its citizens.
*African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union (EU), Finland, France, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Kenya, League of Arab States (LAS), Norway, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and United Nations.
1 of 5
Press Release
07 May 2022
Immunization efforts need a shot in the arm say Somalia’s Government and UN
MOGADISHU - While marking World Immunization Week this year, Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly urged humanitarian partners, local private agencies and donors to help boost immunization efforts and outreach across Somalia. This message is in line with the theme for World Immunization Week, 2022, running from 24-30 April, which is ‘Long life for all – in pursuit of a long life well lived.’
World Immunization Week 2022 aims to spur greater engagement around immunization globally, to reiterate the importance of vaccination and improve the health and wellbeing of everyone, everywhere.
In line with this global call and taking into account only 9% of Somalis have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Dr Fawziya Abikar Nur, Minister of Health, the Federal Government of Somalia said, “In 2020, the world witnessed a pause on many health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By producing vaccines at record speed, alongside other measures, we have now seen how life is resuming slowly again. However, in developing countries such as Somalia, a majority of the population still remains to be vaccinated. They are still at risk, and we cannot emphasize enough – we must reach everyone, wherever they live, to stop diseases such as COVID-19 from mutating and circulating.”
“Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories of public health. And yet, with all the knowledge and tools we have, Somali children are still contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, and adults are still being infected with diseases such as COVID-19. It is our moral imperative to ensure every Somali has equitable access to vaccinations and a life free of disease and disabilities. We must all join forces to reach more people with life-saving vaccines,” said Dr Mamunur Rahman Malik, WHO Somalia Representative and Head of Mission, while describing how the advent of smallpox vaccines showed the world it is possible to eradicate diseases if governments and all stakeholders join forces.
“It’s vital that parents and caregivers take control of their children’s health by making sure every child gets their routine vaccinations,” said UNICEF Representative a.i., Angela Kearney. “Vaccines ensure protection against preventable diseases and a healthier life. Vaccines are free and it’s the right thing to do.”
Somalia has an estimated 639 000 children aged under one year, but many are not able to access their regular childhood vaccinations. In 2021, 510 951 children received the third dose of penta vaccines to protect them from pertussis, diphtheria, hepatitis B, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b, while around 80% of all measles cases confirmed in 2021 were children aged under five.
Some of the challenges Somalia faces in ensuring all communities have access to vaccinations include a fragile health system, further impeded by conflict and natural disasters including the ongoing drought, limited access to cold chain facilities in remote areas and among hard-to-reach populations, and difficulty in reaching people living in insecure and inaccessible locations.
Over the years, WHO, UNICEF, and partners and donors have extended support to Somalia in developing mechanisms to store various vaccines and establish community vaccination programmes that resulted in vaccinating communities.
Despite all the challenges, Somalia has indeed had some success in getting more children and adults, particularly vulnerable ones, vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, cholera, polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, pertussis, tetanus, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and COVID-19 disease, using strategies such as mobile outreach sessions in addition to fixed vaccination sites. Additionally, teams of health care workers and social mobilizers, supported by the Government, WHO and UNICEF, are regularly visiting communities to share messages on the benefits of vaccination with them.
However, the country needs more support to protect children and adults, particularly vulnerable ones, from vaccine-preventable diseases.
1 of 5
Latest Resources
1 / 11
Resources
01 December 2021
1 / 11