A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in December 2025
Highlights from the activities of the UN in Somalia in month of December.
Human Rights| UN welcomes Somalia’s progress in several key areas and urges continued commitment
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the United Nations in Somalia highlighted the critical role that fundamental rights play in the daily lives of all Somalis, noting the progress made in 2025 and urging continued national commitment for the promotion and protection of human rights.
“Human rights are an essential part of our daily lives, providing the basic security and freedom we need to live, grow, and participate fully in our communities,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
“We commend the Federal Government of Somalia for key steps taken in the past year in several important areas to advance the promotion and protection of these rights, notably the organization of the National Human Rights Summit and the commitment to establish the National Independent Human Rights Commission, a cornerstone for the promotion and protection of these fundamental human rights,” he added.
Innovation| UNIDO advances youth-led innovation through the BIC Somali Project
With funding from the European Union, UNIDO delivered business pitching forums for BIC Somali Cohort 3 in Hargeisa and Mogadishu, providing participants with structured platforms to validate, refine, and present market-ready business models. In December, over 60 young entrepreneurs showcased innovative, cross-sector ideas in agribusiness, creative industries, and climate-responsive solutions, highlighting the growing potential of youth talent to contribute to the nation’s inclusive and sustainable economic transformation. These initiatives strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, create employment opportunities, and promote resilient livelihoods across Somalia. UNIDO proudly champions inclusive support mechanisms, technical assistance, and resource mobilization to help Somali startups thrive.
Immunization | Vaccinating schoolchildren against deadly diphtheria
In December, a diphtheria outbreak response campaign was launched in schools across the Banadir region. As of late November 2025, over 3,000 suspected diphtheria cases had been reported nationwide. The school-based, innovative approach is the result of teamwork among the BRA administration, the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, and schools and communities. The campaign deployed 1,734 health workers, 867 social mobilisers, and 173 supervisors for 5 days, aiming to protect over 450,000 children aged 5 to 15 from this preventable and deadly disease. The work started by engaging schools and parents, and the commitment was evident in the students' enthusiasm during the question-and-answer sessions.
Security | UNSOS and partners appeal for urgent contributions to sustain support to Somali Security Forces under the Trust Fund
On 15 December, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) hosted the Somali Security Forces (SSF) Trust Fund event. The gathering reaffirmed the Trust Fund’s critical role in sustaining Somali-led security operations and highlighted the urgent need for voluntary contributions to ensure operational continuity. Through the SSF Trust Fund, UNSOS supports Somali Security Forces operating jointly or in coordination with AUSSOM, providing rations, fuel, medical evacuations, transport, communications, defence stores and tentage for forward operating bases, increasingly procured from Somali suppliers, promoting local economy, and national ownership. Anchored in the FGS–AUSSOM–UNSOS tripartite partnership, the SSF Trust Fund is a vital mechanism for delivering essential life-support to Somali forces in line with national priorities.
Durable Solutions| An integrated approach to durable solutions in Grible
In Grible, just outside Bosaso, the Saameynta Joint Programme, implemented by IOM, UNDP and UN-Habitat, is transforming short-term displacement assistance into long-term belonging. By securing land tenure for 61 families, the initiative has replaced temporary huts with durable homes and legal ownership, providing stability and protection from eviction. Beyond shelter, the integrated approach ensures access to essential services, including a new Mother and Child Health centre offering 24/7 care that treated over 8,300 patients in 2025. Social cohesion is central to Grible’s transformation: a football pitch brings together youth from displaced and host communities, while environmental initiatives, including the planting of more than 1,200 trees, strengthen resilience and community wellbeing. Today, Grible is no longer an informal settlement, but an emerging, integrated neighbourhood of Bosaso.
Click here for more: https://somalia.iom.int/stories/building-city-belonging-integrated-approach-durable-solutions-girible
Water| At least 23,000 Somali communities now have access to safe drinking water, with the completion of two new solar-powered boreholes in Somalia.
These boreholes, one in Awrboogays, Sanag and another in Bacadwyen, Galkayo, were handed over to local communities last week, marking the start of a major effort to expand safe water access across four drought-hit districts in rural Somalia. The handover signals early progress in a wider initiative that aims to provide sustainable water access to 120,000 people and strengthen community-led water governance in some of the country’s most water-stressed areas.
The new drive — jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and UNDP, with US$2 million in support from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) — is delivering a coordinated response to years of prolonged drought, climate variability, and limited water infrastructure. Nine additional boreholes are currently under construction and moving toward completion.
UN entities involved in this initiative
Goals we are supporting through this initiative
