A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in June 2026
A snapshot of the UN's work in support of Somalia's priorities
Child rights| Somaliland reviews progress on commitments to children
UNICEF Somalia supported Somaliland Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (MOLSAF) to convene the Second Children’s Conference, marking one year since the adoption of ten commitments to improve the lives and well-being of children across Somaliland. The conference brought together government leaders, children, development partners, civil society organizations and private sector representatives to review progress and renew commitments to advancing children's rights.
The event was officially opened by His Excellency, Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, Vice-President of Somaliland, who reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to investing in children through strengthened education and health services. “The welfare of children remains a top priority for our government,” he said.
Participants reviewed key achievements made over the past year, including expanded education infrastructure, increased school enrolment, and strengthened immunization and nutrition services. The conference reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration to accelerate progress and ensure every child in Somaliland has the opportunity to survive, learn and thrive.
Water Infrastructure | Climate-adaptive water system expands access for 42,000 people in Baidoa
A new climate-adaptive water system has been completed and handed over to authorities in Baidoa, expanding reliable access to safe water for approximately 42,000 people, including displaced persons and host communities. The project connects seven boreholes to a solar-powered urban water network through 8.6 km of pipelines, reservoirs, and community water kiosks. The initiative strengthens urban resilience, reduces reliance on emergency water trucking, and provides a scalable model for sustainable water management in rapidly growing, climate-affected cities across Somalia.
Security| High-Level Mine Action Coordination Meeting held in Mogadishu
The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Security, in partnership with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the United Nation Support Office for Somalia (UNSOS) convened Somalia’s first-ever High-Level Mine Action Coordination Meeting, bringing together representatives from the Federal Government, Federal Member States, Somali Explosives Management Agency (SEMA), national and international partners, and key mine action stakeholders.
This landmark gathering comes just weeks after SEMA submitted Somalia’s Article 5 Extension Request in Geneva - a significant milestone in the country’s mine action journey and a testament to the growing national commitment to addressing the threat of explosive hazards.
More than a meeting, this forum marked a decisive step towards a coordinated national response. Participants focused on strengthening national coordination, addressing operational bottlenecks, advancing the SEMA Mine Action Bill, enhancing donor engagement and resource mobilization, and aligning priorities across federal and state levels to build a unified mine action framework that better protects affected communities.
Humanitarian| UN Relief Chief pre-approves US$10 million for response to severe drought
Ahead of the projected El Nino, the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), Tom Fletcher, pre-approved US$17 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) anticipatory funding including US$10 million for response to severe drought and $7 million for response preparedness to mitigate the anticipated impact of severe floods during the El Nino. The funding comes as the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) is finalizing grant agreements for the US$2 million projects for famine prevention in Buurhakaba district.
Development| UNDP launches its new Five-Year Country Programme for Somalia
UNDP Somalia launched its new Country Programme Document for 2026–2030, mapping out five years of cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States, and international partners. UNDP aims to mobilized and spend roughly $306.7 million through 2030 to implement the programme in the next five years.
The launch closes out a programme cycle that ran through a difficult stretch, which included climate shocks, including drought and flooding, political and security challenges, and the constitutional review process. Despite the challenges, the last Country Programme 2021–2025 delivered. By 2024, every Federal Member State had taken over paying its own police officers’ salaries, support that UNDP and partners had covered for years. Somalia produced a Human Development Index and a Multidimensional Poverty Index for the first time in more than three decades.
Climate action| FAO calls for adequate preparation for potential El Niño-linked flooding
The Food and Agriculture Organization in Somalia has warned that the country should brace itself for the possibility of a continued dry period until October, followed by an elevated risk of extensive flooding during the October–December Deyr season associated with a likely El Niño event. According to FAO’s Somalia Water and Land Information Management unit (SWALIM), the immediate risk of major riverine flooding during the June–September period is reduced compared with earlier concerns. This is due to limited rainfall observed so far during the Gu season, combined with forecasts indicating a likelihood of El Niño-driven below-normal June-September rainfall over the Ethiopian highlands during the coming months.
Food Security| UNIDO Strengthens Somalia’s Food Safety Systems Through South-South Learning
Funded by the European Union, UNIDO facilitated a five-day study tour to Kenya for a Somali delegation comprising representatives from key government institutions, including productive sector ministries and national regulatory bodies. The initiative aimed to promote South-South cooperation and strengthen institutional capacity in food safety and quality systems.
The mission focused on practical exchanges on food safety standards, certification, laboratory testing, fisheries quality management, and veterinary and plant health. By collaborating with leading Kenyan institutions and visiting export-oriented processing facilities, participants gained first-hand exposure to international best practices, regulatory frameworks, and the critical role of multi-agency coordination.
The tour reinforced Somalia’s efforts to build robust food safety systems, highlighting the need for enhanced institutional coordination and international compliance. These advancements will boost trade competitiveness and drive sustainable growth across Somalia’s productive sectors, supporting broader economic development.
Capacity Building | UN personnel complete intensive project management training to boost operational efficiency
Twenty-three national staff from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) have completed an intensive four-day training programme aimed at strengthening their project management capabilities. The course provided internationally recognised methodologies, tools, and techniques aligned with Project Management Institute (PMI) standards, reinforcing professional excellence across the mission.
Drawn from UNSOS operational hubs in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo, Beledweyne, and Nairobi, participants enhanced their skills in project planning, execution, monitoring, and delivery. Organized by the UNSOS Integrated Mission Training Centre (IMTC), the training addresses a growing demand for professional certification within the mission by building internal capacity to empower personnel to manage complex projects independently and effectively.
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