Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia
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SEOUL — The Government of the Republic of Korea has announced a financial contribution of $2.7 million to support immunization programs in Somalia, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Federal Ministry of Health, aiming to enhance equitable access to vital health services for children nationwide.
This initiative comes amid severe health challenges, as official reports indicate that approximately 700,000 Somali children have yet to receive a single vaccine dose, placing them at risk of preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and polio.
Many of these children reside in hard-to-reach communities, directly affected by waves of displacement, severe climate shocks, and limited health facilities, making reaching these “zero-dose” children an urgent humanitarian necessity to ensure their survival.
The program aims to strengthen integrated outreach services, develop vaccine cold chain and logistics systems to ensure safe delivery to remote areas, and invest in improving national data systems to plan and coordinate distribution operations with greater precision.
The project also focuses on supporting health workers and field volunteers, enabling them to identify and trace unvaccinated children, and working to address misinformation or social barriers that may hinder immunization efforts in the most vulnerable local communities.
In this regard, H.E. Dr. Ali Haji Adam, Federal Minister of Health and Human Services, stated that strengthening immunization services is a fundamental pillar for protecting Somali children from epidemics, praising the partnership with the Korean government and UNICEF in developing national health systems.
For her part, Sandra Lattouf, UNICEF Representative in Somalia, affirmed that expanding immunization under the leadership of the Federal Government represents a vital step, noting that the joint work aims to enhance community-based approaches to ensure vaccines reach all children in remote areas.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Health and UNICEF expressed their deep appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s commitment to supporting the health sector in Somalia, affirming that this partnership reflects a shared international commitment to ensuring every child’s right to access life-saving healthcare to survive and thrive.
This Korean grant is a model of strategic humanitarian action that transcends financial support to touch the core of national health security. Moving toward reaching “zero-dose” children is not merely a medical procedure but a long-term investment in Somalia’s future, as immunizing the youth contributes to reducing economic and health burdens on the nation, thereby establishing the foundations of a more resilient society capable of facing future health challenges.
