A landmark landing in Somalia

This month, Somalia received the first direct deliveries via commercial airlines from UNICEF’s global supply hub in Copenhagen to Hargeisa and Mogadishu. The shipments included medical kits and essential medicines for children.

Previously, challenges, such as security challenges and limited warehousing facilities in Somalia meant that cargo had to be shipped to warehouses in Kenya, before continuing the journey through UN and other chartered planes. This led to longer lead times, additional workload and resources used.

Recent improvements in the commercial environment in Somalia have led to the availability of temperature-controlled warehouses and ambient warehouses, as well as an increase in commercial cargo flights to the country. Considering the need for reliable airlines and robust planning, Supply Division surveyed the market for global freight forwarders and determined cost-effective routes for Somalia-bound cargo.

This marks the opening of a potential new route for regular air shipments to Somalia that is efficient and reliable, while reducing costs and even our carbon footprint.

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