A round-up of activities of the UN system in Somalia in July 2026
A snapshot of some of the activities of the United Nations
Humanitarian| OCHA and partners intensify preparation anticipated El Niño rain
OCHA, in coordination with the Government, the Humanitarian Country Team and operational partners, intensified preparedness efforts for the anticipated El Niño-related impacts during the October-December 2026 Deyr rainy season. Building on lessons from the 2023 climate emergency, when floods and drought displaced 2.3 million people and affected millions more, OCHA supported joint contingency planning, risk analysis, and coordination mechanisms at national and state levels to strengthen readiness for potential flooding and population displacement. Preparedness efforts are taking place amid heightened vulnerability following successive droughts, floods, conflict, and declining humanitarian funding, which have eroded household coping capacities and left 6.49 million people facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above). Rising fuel and transport costs linked to regional disruptions further increase humanitarian risks, underscoring the urgency of early action to mitigate potential impacts and protect vulnerable communities.
Security| UNMAS trains peacekeepers on Conventional Munition Disposal (CMD)
In the month of July, UNMAS conducted vital Conventional Munition Disposal (CMD) training for peacekeepers!
Djiboutian peacekeepers serving under AUSSOM are completing an intensive, fully integrated two-month basic CMD course, running from June to August 2026. UNMAS experts are equipping the officers with critical skills in explosive theory, ammunition identification, and disposal management to safely mitigate hazards in complex environments.
UNMAS and its partners are continuously strengthening force protection, paving the way for sustainable development, enhancing operational readiness, and supporting lasting peace and stabilization efforts across Somalia.
Health|UNICEF Somalia youth advocate highlights the importance of reaching zero-dose children
UNICEF Somalia continued to elevate young people’s participation in efforts to address barriers to childhood immunization, particularly for children living in fragile, conflict-affected and hard-to-reach communities. On 14 July, UNIEF and WHO released the latest Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) – the world’s largest dataset on childhood immunization coverage trends for 13 vaccine-preventable diseases across 195 countries. The dataset offers a critical assessment of global immunization progress, highlighting where coverage has stalled or declined, as well as where countries have made significant gains.
These efforts were highlighted globally through an Inter Press Service (IPS) feature involving Sagal, a junior doctor in Mogadishu and member of UNICEF’s Global Youth Health Advisory Group, who shared perspectives from Somalia on reaching zero-dose children.
Capacity Building|UNSOS Strengthens Air Operations in Beledweyne
UNSOS continues to support Somalia's aviation sector through integrated logistical support that combines infrastructure, capacity building and operational expertise. At the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower in Beledweyne, Somali Civil Aviation Authority personnel work alongside UNSOS and AUSSOM to enhance the safety and reliability of air operations.
From specialised training and on-the-job mentoring to the installation of a solar-powered ATC tower, the UNSOS initiative demonstrates how coordinated logistical support is strengthening Somali-led aviation capacity, improving operational resilience and delivering sustainable solutions for Somalia's airspace, while advancing the country's security transition.
Migration | IOM releases new documentary on immigration
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, IOM Somalia premiered The Road That Never Ends, a documentary following young migrants travelling from Hargeisa to Bossaso. Through their firsthand experiences, the video captures the hopes that drive migration, as well as the hardships, exploitation and abuse faced along the route. It also highlights how failed journeys can trap migrants in a cycle of repeated attempts. By bringing these realities to the screen, the documentary calls for stronger protection of migrants and greater access to safe and regular migration pathways.
Economy| UNIDO hosts innovation forums
With support from the European Union, UNIDO convened the BIC Somali Innovation Forums in Mogadishu and Hargeisa, bringing together government institutions, private sector actors, entrepreneurs, investors, academia, business support organisations, development partners and innovation hubs to strengthen Somalia’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and advance inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.
A key highlight in Mogadishu was the launch of the BIC Somali Network, marked by the signing of an MoU between iRise Hub, SIMAD iLab and HarHub. The Network promotes collaboration, aligns incubation standards and expands enterprise development support across Somalia.
The forums also celebrated entrepreneurs who successfully completed business incubation programmes and featured high-level panel discussions on startup development and sustaining support beyond donor funding. Exhibition booths enabled local innovators to showcase their products and market-led solutions.
Funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO, the BIC Somali Project supports entrepreneurship, business incubation and innovation-driven MSME development in Somalia.
UN entities involved in this initiative
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