A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in April 2026
Highlights from some of the activities in the month of April
Capacity Building | UNSOS trains Somali women entrepreneurs
The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) hosted a one-day seminar in Mogadishu for 40 Somali women entrepreneurs, equipping them with knowledge of United Nations procurement procedures. The initiative reflects UNSOS’s commitment to supporting Somali women through inclusive economic opportunities and capacity-building. Participants received practical guidance on vendor registration, bidding procedures, and requirements to compete for UN tenders.
By equipping women entrepreneurs with knowledge and access to networks, UNSOS is helping to bridge gaps, promote gender inclusion, support job creation and economic growth. Participants emphasized the value of accurate information and engagement, marking a step forward in empowering Somali women to compete in the global UN marketplace.
Shelter| Supporting durable housing solutions for displaced families
In Mogadishu, IOM’s Garasbaley Housing Project is helping 400 internally displaced households transition from insecure, temporary shelters to safer, more stable homes. Alongside housing, the project has improved access to essential services, including water points, sanitation facilities, lighting, and roads, enhancing safety, mobility, and connectivity. For mothers like Batulo and Mano, who once faced repeated evictions and unsafe living conditions, the project has restored a sense of safety, dignity, and hope for their children’s future. By combining shelter with basic infrastructure and community spaces, the initiative is restoring dignity, reducing the risk of eviction, and enabling families to rebuild their lives in more secure and supportive environments.
Humanitarian| UN Relief Chief visits Somalia
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Tom Fletcher visited Somalia in April to refocus global attention on a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation marked by surging hunger and shrinking aid resources.
In Mogadishu, Mr. Fletcher visited the Faynus Nutrition and Health Center, where malnourished children from dozens of displacement sites receive lifesaving treatment and spoke with caregivers and humanitarian partners. The center delivers daily nutritional treatment to more than 300 children under five with moderate and severe acute malnutrition, while over 200 beneficiaries receive free, quality outpatient care each day for common childhood illnesses and maternal health needs. Somalia has more than 1.8 million acutely malnourished children under five nationwide.
Mr. Fletcher also met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss recurring climate shocks and the United Nations partnership with the Government. Somalia is grappling with climate extremes, conflict, prolonged displacement and economic pressures worsened by price hikes linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which doubled fuel prices and increased the cost of basic goods. Failed rains since late 2024 caused livestock losses, water shortages and worsening food insecurity, affecting at least five million people, including over half a million displaced, with two million facing acute hunger.
Vaccination| Somalia’s teachers support drive to end polio
Somalia’s teachers are supporting efforts to end polio by helping vaccination teams reach children in high-risk communities. During a vaccination campaign in Dhusamareb, Galmudug State, teachers at local madrasas organized children and helped create a calm environment as health workers administered vaccines. Their support strengthened trust within the community and encouraged participation in immunization activities. The initiative highlights the important role teachers and community leaders play in protecting children from preventable diseases and advancing Somalia’s polio eradication efforts.
Climate Action| Somalia launches $11.8 million climate initiative to help communities adapt to increasing shocks
The Federal Government of Somalia, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), has launched a three-year, US $11.8 million initiative, financed by the African Development Fund, the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group.
The Activating Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia (ACALS) initiative aims to help communities in Hirshabelle and Puntland safeguard their livelihoods against the growing impacts of climate shocks. It comes at a critical time, as Somalia continues to face recurrent droughts, floods and environmental degradation, placing increasing pressure on livelihoods, food systems and natural resources
UN entities involved in this initiative
Goals we are supporting through this initiative
