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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
08 November 2022
Children access education for the first time in their lives at UNICEF supported schools in Somalia
Baidoa, Somalia: The chorus of young voices rises in cadence, a sweet melody of six dozen children, singing the letters of the Somali alphabet – that they just mastered one week ago.
Standing before the blackboard and leading this rustic symphony at the Mustaqbal Integrated Primary School is a shy 10-year-old girl named Farhia Abdi Moallim.
“I am so happy to learn,” says little Farhia, “I want to be a teacher when I grow big, so I can teach children in my village who cannot go to school.”
Her eyes twinkle with glee, radiant under the all-black abaya robe that covers her whole body, leaving only her face exposed, glowing like the hopeful and happy sun after a dark summer storm.
This a hopeful beginning because all the children sitting on the benches behind her, had never seen the inside of a classroom until four weeks ago.
An ongoing drought has ravaged Somalia for the last four years, drying water-wells, killing crops and livestock, and displacing more than a million people to urban centres like Baidoa in South-West Somalia; where they live in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), surviving just on humanitarian aid.
This is on top of the 2 million people displaced by the conflict that has battered Somalia for more than three decades; and also includes IDPs from the famine of 2011 and the drought in 2017.
All these factors have had devastating consequences for the children of Somalia. It heightens the learning crisis in a country with more than 3 million children who were not in school, even before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Alongside other humanitarian interventions, UNICEF and education partners are working with the Ministry of Education to provide learning opportunities for children displaced by drought and conflict.
UNICEF/Giri
13-year-old Abduwali says he knows all the alphabets.
In another classrooms at the end of the same one-roofed structure, we meet 13-year-old Abduwali Derow Aden. He walked for two days with his parents and six siblings to Baidoa and has been attending Grade 1 since the school reopened six weeks ago.
“I know all the alphabets now,” he says proudly, a big smile on his face. “I like learning mathematics and I like my school.”
At the Mustaqbal Integrated Primary School, UNICEF is working with local partners to increase the capacity of the school to handle the influx of new children.
UNICEF/Giri
Principal Habiba says they will teach all the children who come to their school.
“We have more than 1,500 students, and we are receiving 3 to 5 new students every day,” says Habiba Ibrahim Aden, the Principal and one of the founding members of tiny primary school.
Rows of boys and girls squat on the floor just outside the classrooms, a patient look on their faces. “These are children who have just arrived in the last week. Although we have no space, we cannot turn them away - we will teach them in shifts,” she says.
Established seven years ago, this school has expanded rapidly in the last two years, with children of IDPs who have converged on Baidoa to escape the conflict and drought.
UNICEF is supporting the school through education partners to ensure that all children receive basic education. This support includes teacher training, provision of furniture and teaching materials, and financial incentives for teachers.
With funding from the GPE Accelerated Learning Programme, UNICEF and World Food Programme (WFP) are also supporting a school feeding programme, whereby children receive two meals a day.
UNICEF/Giri
Fatuma says she likes learning about science.
“I like my school and I want to learn,” says 12-year-old Fatuma Noor, another girl in Grade 1. “I have made many friends here, and science is my favourite subject.”
To handle the large number of students, the schools operate in two shifts: one from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, and the afternoon shift from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Habiba the principal, says that none of the children leave school before the end of the school day. “The children enjoy coming to school, and thanks to our donors we provide them with meals, and they are more focussed in the classroom,” says Habiba.
As part of the response to the ongoing drought in Somalia, UN partners including UNICEF and other NGOs are accelerating delivery of humanitarian supplies and services including food and shelter, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation to mitigate the worst of this climate induced disaster.
Providing these children an opportunity to learn is a major concern for UNICEF. Alongside the existing support from the Global Partnership for Education, UNICEF will also roll out an Education in Emergencies programme in Baidoa soon, specifically targeted at children of IDPs.
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03 August 2020
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Find out what the UN in Somalia is doing in response to the COVID-19 health emergency.
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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
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Story
08 May 2023
A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in April 2023
Food | FAO rehabilitates canals to help farmers overcome water shortages
With support from FAO and funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, farming communities in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle area have been able to strengthen their household food security through the ‘Building Resilience in Middle Shabelle’ (BRiMS) project.
The project, which is aimed at increasing the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises, was able to restore a reliable water supply from the Shabelle River to smaller canals where highly-vulnerable smallholder farmers cultivate their crops.
Through local implementing partners, FAO was able to provide agro-pastoralists in the region with the establishment of community groups, irrigation services, training in good agricultural practices, and better access to markets through the rehabilitation of bridges and walkways to get their produce to market across the many waterways in the region.
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Food | WFP supports training for farmers' collectives in Hirshabelle and South West State
WFP supported training on crop storage and grain quality testing mechanisms for 30 farmers' cooperatives in Somalia’s Hirshabelle and South West State, representing some 7,500 farmers.
The training was part of WFP's ongoing work to promote the purchase and consumption of locally-produced food and strengthen market value chains in Somalia. WFP is now onboarding the cooperatives onto its roster of contracted retailers, enabling them to sell locally-produced food to people receiving WFP cash-based humanitarian assistance.
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Youth | UN-Habitat to construct soccer field in Kismayo
Working with the Norwegian Refugee Council, UN-Habitat held a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a soccer field in the Midmimo Settlement, in Jubaland’s Kismayo.
The settlement is home for resettled returnees, internally displaced people and host communities. This facility provides room for recreation, supports youth development, and promotes social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, unity and integration.
The soccer field is part of a larger youth project which is funded by the Government of Sweden and which focuses on youth and urban regeneration.
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Freedom of expression | Bilan Media celebrates first anniversary
Somalia’s groundbreaking all-women news media team, Bilan, celebrated a year of smashing taboos and blazing a trail for women journalists in a country ranked as one of the most dangerous places to report the news.
Established with support from UNDP, Bilan has provided the first opportunity for Somali women journalists to exercise complete editorial independence, deciding what they want to report and how.
They have already used this freedom to break some of Somalia’s first major stories on a range of challenging issues, spurring public debate and official reaction. This includes reports on HIV-positive Somalis living in fear, the abuse of female orphans, schools for autistic children and teachers, and an epidemic of opiate use among women in Mogadishu.
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Health | UNFPA launches truck-mounted mobile maternity care units
UNFPA has provided truck-mounted medical units to the Somali authorities as part of efforts to improve access to life-saving maternal and newborn health services amidst the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
At a handover ceremony, the federal Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, received five of the Mobile Maternity Clinics (MMCs) on behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia. The MMCs were procured by UNFPA with funding from donors via the Somalia Multi Partner Trust Fund – including Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and Ireland.
The truck-mounted emergency obstetric and newborn care units will be positioned where health facilities are absent. UNFPA has noted that demand is high to provide safe deliveries and life-saving maternal and newborn health services for populations affected by the humanitarian situation.
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Policing | UNOPS hands over 800 radios to Somali Police Force
UNOPS delivered 800 radios to the Somali Police Force to improve communication, and enable the police to better maintain law and order and protect local communities.
According to UNOPS, the enhanced communication capabilities will allow the police to respond to emergencies and coordinate their efforts more effectively.
The handover was part of the Joint Police Programme (JPP), which is funded by the European Union, the United Kingdom and Germany, and aims to strengthen the partnership between the government and international organizations and develop a capable police force.
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Health | UNICEF launches vaccination campaign for children
For World Immunization Week, which is observed in the last week of April, Somalia’s Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF launched a campaign called ‘The Big Catch-Up’ to reach children who missed out on vaccines, and to strengthen routine immunization and primary healthcare.
UNICEF’s recent flagship report, ‘The State of the World’s Children 2023,' indicated that childhood routine immunization slowed during COVID-19 and that the perception of the importance of childhood vaccines has declined. In Somalia, factors like access and the ongoing drought increase the risk of measles and polio outbreaks.
Last year, UNICEF and its partners jointly implemented four rounds of accelerated immunization activities, five polio campaigns, eight campaigns for COVID-19 and nationwide measles, polio, vitamin A and deworming campaigns.
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Humanitarian | UN Secretary-General calls for more international support for Somalia
Continuing his tradition of carrying out solidarity visits to Muslim countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Somalia, where he underlined the need for international engagement to alleviate the country’s dire humanitarian situation and aid with state-building efforts.
"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," said the UN chief after visiting a camp for internally displaced people in Baidoa.
In addition to visiting Somalis affected by the country’s humanitarian crisis, Mr. Guterres met Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and members of his cabinet and advisors, representatives of civil society organisations, and the heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in Somalia.
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12 April 2023
On a solidarity visit, UN chief urges “massive international support” for Somalia
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.”
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Story
03 April 2023
A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in March 2023
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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..
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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09 April 2023
Bringing school closer to internally displaced children in Bosaaso
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.
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Story
26 March 2023
A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in February 2023
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Press Release
24 May 2023
International Partners Commend the People of Puntland on Historic Elections
Mogadishu - Ahead of district council elections in Puntland on 25 May, Somalia’s international partners* commend the people of the Federal Member State of Puntland for their determination to deliver on their democratic aspirations and commitments.
The partners acknowledge the efforts, notably by the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC), to overcome significant challenges in preparing for this historic event of direct elections.
The partners encourage all stakeholders to contribute to ensuring the elections are conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, and to address any questions or disputes that may arise through dialogue and the legal framework.
The partners believe that Puntland’s experience with direct elections has the potential to inform and inspire the expansion of democracy across Somalia, at all levels of government. The partners remain committed to supporting Somalia’s process of democratization.
*African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, Ethiopia, European Union (EU) Delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Norway, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Russia, Sweden, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States, and United Nations.
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Press Release
10 May 2023
Somalia Joint Fund launched in Mogadishu
10 May 2023, Mogadishu: A multi-donor trust fund was launched in Mogadishu earlier today to strengthen partnership between the Somali Government, the United Nations, and international partners in support of Somalia’s national development priorities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The launch was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Salah Jama, the Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, representatives of Somalia’s international partners, and senior United Nations officials.
“The Somalia Joint Fund is a joint venture between Somalia, the United Nations, and international partners. It provides the Government with a mechanism to ensure international alignment with national priorities, strengthen national ownership of international development assistance, and collectively prioritize and coordinate the use of resources for the best impact,” said H.E. Mohamud Abdirahman “Beenebeene”, Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Adam Abdelmoula, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, highlighted:
“Country-level pooled funds like the Somalia Joint Fund are critical for the United Nations’ ability to better support development aspirations of the countries we operate in. The Somalia Joint Fund will provide the necessary flexibility to respond to complex challenges facing Somalia and to maximize synergies across the UN system through joint action. The Fund will also serve as a platform for open and honest dialogue between Somalia and its international partners under the leadership of the Government.”
Originally established in 2014 and formerly known as Somalia Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the Somalia Joint Fund is one of the largest country-level development funds globally with more than 500 million USD in contributions since inception. Sweden, the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, and Denmark are the largest contributors to the Fund. The Somalia Joint Fund, administered by the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office in New York, seeks to mobilize 60 million USD annually in the next three years to support the most critical and strategic priorities in Somalia through seven funding windows: Inclusive Politics; Rule of Law; Human Rights and Gender; Climate and Resilience; Community Recovery and Local Governance; Economic Development; and Social Development.
For more information please contact:
Peter Nordstrom | Senior Trust Fund Manager Somalia Joint Fund| nordstromp@un.org
Muse M Osman | Director, Planning, Ministry of Planning Investment and Economic Development| muse@mop.gov.so
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Press Release
14 May 2023
Secretary-General appoints Ms. Catriona Laing of the United Kingdom as Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Catriona Laing of the United Kingdom as his new Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). She succeeds James Swan of the United States of America, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and steadfast leadership of UNSOM during his tenure.
Ms. Laing brings to this position over 35 years of experience in diplomacy, development and international relations, including having held United Kingdom government policy roles in various departments at the national and international levels. Most recently, from November 2018 until April 2023, she served as British High Commissioner to Nigeria. Prior to that, she was the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2014 until 2018.
In addition to her diplomatic roles, Ms. Laing has held several positions in government policy and international development, notably as Deputy Head of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit (2000-2004), Director for Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice (2009-2012) and as the Head of the Department for International Development in Sudan (2006-2009). She further headed the United Nations Development Office in Somalia from 1993 to 1994.
Ms. Catriona Laing holds an MSc degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Master’s in Business Administration from Cranfield University, both in the United Kingdom.
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Press Release
03 May 2023
On World Press Freedom Day, UN encourages safeguarding media’s vital role in Somalia
Mogadishu – Marking World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations in Somalia today acknowledged the vital work carried out by the country’s media and reaffirmed its commitment to support efforts to promote and protect its civic space.
“The Somali media play an important role in keeping the public informed and educated, and in order for the media to carry out their duties effectively, they need to be able to work freely and safely. Freedom of expression and press freedom are critical to fostering a strong civic space. The United Nations recognizes the important work the Somali media play in this regard,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho.
Somali journalists and media workers have been threatened, attacked and harassed while working. In 2022, two journalists were killed and five others were injured in connection with their work. Furthermore, 74 journalists were arbitrarily arrested and detained in 2022.
The theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day is ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights,’ and it aims to highlight that professional reporting is necessary for the enjoyment of other human rights because it informs the public about issues and allows them to form their own opinions while also informing them of their rights.
Somali journalists and media workers have been threatened, attacked and harassed while working. In 2022, two journalists were killed and five others were injured in connection with their work. Furthermore, 74 journalists were arbitrarily arrested and detained in 2022.
The theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day is ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights,’ and it aims to highlight that professional reporting is necessary for the enjoyment of other human rights because it informs the public about issues and allows them to form their own opinions while also informing them of their rights.
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Press Release
25 April 2023
World Immunization Week 2023: Somalia resolves to work on “The Big Catch-Up
MOGADISHU, 24 April 2023 – The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) observed World Immunization Week (WIW) under the global theme of “The Big Catch-Up” with a resolve to strengthen primary healthcare and routine immunization across the country and ensure that no one is left behind.
World Immunization Week (WIW) 2023 is being observed during the global COVID-19 pandemic and hence it has been given the theme of ‘The Big Catch-Up’. WIW was initially endorsed in May 2012 by the World Health Assembly (WHO's decision-making body) and the first World Immunization Week was observed the same year across 180 member states of WHO.
The Federal Minister for Health Dr. Ali Haji, on this occasion expressed gratitude to the WHO and UNICEF for coordinating and collaborating with multiple partners and helping his government to catch up on lost progress in essential immunization, as a result of the global pandemic. Acknowledging the worst-ever drought gripping the country, resulting in huge population displacements and outbreaks of diseases, Dr. Haji hoped that “in line with the theme of the year “The Big Catch-Up,” WHO and UNICEF will continue to support the Ministry of Health for building a strong immunization delivery system, sustain the progress made over the past few years in preventing a backslide of childhood immunization in the country and more importantly accelerate the campaign of “The Big Catch Up” to get back on track to ensure more people, particularly children, are vaccinated and protected from preventable diseases.”
As per UNICEF and WHO estimates, routine immunization coverage in Somalia is low compared to other countries, and it is further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF has made progress during 2022 to bridge these yawning gaps in immunization by scaling up its efforts to strengthen routine immunization across the country.
WHO Representative to Somalia, Dr Mamunur Rahman Malik, while referring to the setbacks caused by global pandemic to routine immunization in Somalia, said that:
“Thousands of under five children have missed routine immunization during the past three years. The pandemic has disrupted the essential immunization services in the country. We may anticipate a backslide of over 20 per cent in routine immunization coverage unless we are able to rapidly catch up on lost progress.” He further said that “WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, is planning for a “Big Catch-Up” by developing an immunization recovery plan to catch up on all those children who have missed out on their routine immunization in past 3 years, including all the women of childbearing age and adults. This is our chance to restore the immunization coverage to pre pandemic level and by working together with our partners, we can do it.”
The FMoH, WHO and UNICEF during 2022 have jointly implemented 4 rounds of accelerated immunization activities, five polio campaigns, eight campaigns for COVID-19, and nationwide integrated measles, tOPV, vitamin A and deworming campaigns. Additionally, WHO deployed more than 2,100 community health workers (CHWs) while UNICEF has deployed over 6,000 social mobilizers across the country to disseminate health messages to over 4.5 million people, as well as track and help immunize children who missed out on immunization. The community health workers have been working to find, register and refer the missed-out children and pregnant women to nearby health facilities and outreach sessions.
“UNICEF supports health systems for increasing routine immunization and integrated health and nutrition services for the children in Somalia, especially where coverage is low in hard-to-reach areas,” said UNICEF Deputy Representative, Nejmudin Kedir Bilal. “We are committed to continuing to support the Ministry of Health to generate more demand and acceptance of vaccines by the communities; to strengthen supply chain management system for vaccines and supplies; and to revamp management information system to track zero-dose children.”
The joint efforts made by the FMoH, WHO and UNICEF during the last integrated campaign helped to vaccinate more than 3.2 million under-five children against measles and 3.5 million against polio. During 2022, immunization programmes also identified and vaccinated over 84,500 zero-dose children and vaccinated around 30,000 women of child-bearing age with tetanus-diphtheria toxoids (Td2) by deploying integrated outreach teams. Somalia also managed to achieve the milestone of fully vaccinating over 41.7 per cent of the adult population against COVID-19 in 2022.
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Note to Editors:
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a widespread decline in childhood vaccinations has occurred globally, putting millions of additional children at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. The continued decline in vaccination coverage since then was likely a result of many factors, including strained health systems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the primary focus being on the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. These stresses have led to challenges with supply chains, human resources, and financing. Increasing vaccine misinformation, disinformation and hesitancy also likely contributed to declines in some countries. The risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks is likely to persist if urgent action is not taken to recover immunization program losses, especially in countries like Somalia, where the health sector is under immense stress of dealing with multiple outbreaks of measles, cholera and cVDPV2.
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Links to related published material:
Expanded programme on immunization
State of the World’s Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination
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