A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in August 2026
Highlights of some of the activities of the UN in Somalia
Security| UNMAS trains thousands of SNA Officers in Explosive Hazard Awareness & Route Search Operations.
In the month of August, President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud presided over a major graduation ceremony near Dhusamareeb, marking the completion of Explosive Hazard Awareness and specialized Route Search training delivered to thousands of Somali National Army (SNA) personnel.
The training, conducted through the UNMAS/UNSOS partnership, equips soldiers with the skills to identify explosive threats, apply essential safety measures, and support military operations aimed at clearing critical operational routes.
In his remarks, President Mohamud underscored the importance of strengthening national security and encouraged the newly trained soldiers to serve diligently in protecting their communities.
This achievement demonstrates Somalia's growing national ownership of explosive threat mitigation efforts, with 100% of the training delivered by UNMAS-trained SNA instructors, reflecting a sustainable and nationally led approach to safeguarding both military personnel and civilians.
Capacity Building|UNIDO strengthens the capacity of implementing partners in Somalia
With support from the European Union, UNIDO conducted capacity-strengthening training for implementing partners from government institutions on compliance requirements, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability and support effective, efficient, and sustainable project delivery in Somalia.
The training brought together representatives from productive-sector ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation; Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy; Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range; and Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Somali Bureau of Standards (SOBS) and SARIS as national regulatory bodies, along with other relevant implementing partners. Key sessions covered UNIDO manuals and the model agreement, implementing partner (IP) documentation and reporting requirements, monitoring and financial verification processes, and the practical application of operational guidelines.
By strengthening institutional capacity, UNIDO empowers implementing partners to improve project delivery, reinforce accountability, and contribute to sustainable development outcomes for communities across Somalia.
Health| Somalia launches Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7) to strengthen evidence for children and families
The Federal Government of Somalia, through the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS), and UNICEF officially launched data collection for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7), a nationwide survey that will provide critical evidence on the lives and well-being of children, adolescents, women and households across Somalia.
More than 150 trained enumerators and supervisors will be deployed across the country to collect high-quality data that will help track progress towards national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The survey will provide policymakers and partners with reliable, disaggregated data to identify disparities, better understand the needs of vulnerable populations, and guide investments in health, education, nutrition, child protection and other essential services.
Implemented through a partnership between the Government of Somalia through SNBS, UNICEF, the World Bank and other partners, MICS7 will help ensure that decisions affecting children are informed by robust evidence and that no child is left behind.
Sustainable Development| UNOPS launches four-year progamme on sustainable land management
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and KfW Development Bank have signed a EUR 16.6 million financing agreement for the implementation of the Sustainable Land Management in Puntland (SLM-P) Project, funded by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW.
The four-year initiative is expected to benefit approximately 75,000 people, including rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs), by promoting sustainable land and water management practices and strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods across Puntland, Somalia.
The agreement was signed in Mogadishu in the presence of a delegation from KfW Development Bank and the UNOPS Somalia Country Director.
The SLM-P Project aims to improve the sustainable use and productivity of land and water resources throughout Puntland. Through an integrated environmental resilience approach, the project will support infrastructure development, watershed management and the adoption of climate-smart practices to address critical challenges affecting rural communities.
Safety | IOM Turns Community Security Concerns into Practical Solutions through Inclusive Dialogue
A free police hotline is helping residents in Xudur report emergencies and security concerns easier and faster, without having to travel to the police station. The 2551 hotline was established following concerns raised through IOM-supported Nabadaynta townhalls, where communities, local leaders, and security and justice actors come together to identify challenges and discuss actionable steps. The hotline now receives 40–50 calls a day, enabling police to respond more quickly to incidents ranging from gender-based violence and theft to other security threats. The initiative demonstrates how inclusive community dialogue can turn concerns into practical solutions, strengthening safety, access to security services, improving communication, and building greater trust between communities and local authorities.
UN entities involved in this initiative
Goals we are supporting through this initiative
