A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in October 2025
Highlights from some of the activities of the UN system in Somalia in the month of October.
Protection| Advancing durable solutions and hope through the Assisted Spontaneous Return programme.
Through the Assisted Spontaneous Return (ASR) programme, UNHCR working alongside the Government of Somalia and partners continues to facilitate the safe and dignified return of Somali refugees from Yemen. Each return marks a new beginning for families rebuilding their lives after years of displacement. Beyond reception assistance, UNHCR provides protection, health, and reintegration support, helping returnees reintegrate within their communities and regain stability. The ASR initiative underscores UNHCR’s broader commitment to durable solutions, resilience, and hope for displacement-affected populations across Somalia.
Click here for more.
Human Rights| UN Mission’s Human Rights Chief visits Galmudug State
In early October, as part of UNTMIS’ support for the development of human rights across Somalia, the UN Mission’s human rights chief, Kirsten Young, visited Galmudug State where she met with its President Ahmed Abdi Karie ‘Qoorqoor’ and other officials, including the newly appointed Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, and a wide range of civil society representatives. Their discussions covered human rights priorities in the Federal Member State, implementation of the law against female genital mutilation, finalisation of the draft disability and child rights bills, and progress on the media law.
Health| World Polio Day Commemoration in Somalia
Somalia marked World Polio Day at Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu on 26th October 2025 under the theme “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere.” Organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, the event reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to interrupting polio transmission and reaching every child with life-saving vaccines.
Over 80 stakeholders, including government officials, WHO and UNICEF representatives, health associations, and community leaders, gathered to review progress, address challenges, and strengthen eradication strategies. Highlights included keynote speeches on sustaining high immunity, technical updates on zero-dose mapping, and recognition of the important role of frontline health workers. A polio survivor shared a powerful testimony, underscoring the importance of vaccination.
Renewed pledges were made to intensify immunization efforts, enhance surveillance, and mobilize communities—ensuring that no child is left behind as Somalia moves towards a polio-free future.
Security| UNMAS delivers Training-of-Trainers on IED Risk Education to Somali Police Force
UNMAS Somalia delivered a two-day Training-of-Trainers workshop on Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) risk education to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit of the Somali Police Force. Equipping these officers with comprehensive skills and knowledge to effectively raise awareness about the risks associated with IEDs will enable them to deliver impactful IED risk education both within their unit and to the broader communities affected by the presence of IEDs.
Throughout the training, participants engaged in a variety of instructional methods, including lectures, hands-on exercises, and group discussions. This multifaceted approach ensured that they not only understood the theoretical aspects of IED risks but also learned how to communicate this vital information efficiently. The training created a network of informed trainers who could disseminate essential safety knowledge, thereby enhancing community resilience and contributing to overall public safety in regions vulnerable to IED threats.
Economy| UNIDO Empowers the Next Generation of Somali Innovators
UNIDO held graduation ceremonies in Mogadishu and Hargeisa for 57 young entrepreneurs from the first cohort of the BIC Somali Project, funded by the European Union.
The graduates successfully completed a comprehensive training and mentorship programme, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey. The initiative equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and confidence to transform innovative ideas into thriving, sustainable businesses.
This achievement represents a major step toward building a resilient private sector, fostering job creation, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across Somalia.
UNIDO proudly champions inclusive support mechanisms, technical assistance, and resource mobilization to help Somali startups thrive.
Health| Mothers lead the way to a polio-free Somalia
Across Somalia, mothers from all walks of life are helping to build a healthier future for their children by protecting them from polio. Layla joined efforts to reach families in Mogadishu’s Hodan district with vaccines in July 2019. Armed with her vaccine carrier, a winning smile and strong sense of purpose, she is among the many Somali mothers who have become vaccinators and health educators in their communities.
Health| One Man’s Quest to Transform Mental Health Services in Somaliland
Psychiatrist Dr Yacoub Aden Abdi returned to Somaliland in 2019, through IOM's Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme, to transform Somaliland’s mental health care system. Advocating for the first mental health budget in Somaliland, Dr. Yacoub managed to convince the government to allocate US$2 million annually which helped in the recruitment of over 200 health care professionals and built new mental health divisions in hospitals across six regions, which included Erigavo’s first mental health hospital.
UN entities involved in this initiative
Goals we are supporting through this initiative
