Plastic pollution is one of the main environmental challenges in the world today, with global plastic waste reaching 400 million tonnes annually, according to the UN Environmental Program report. Around the world, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, and up to five trillion plastic bags are used every year. …

MOGADISHU — Somalia has officially launched a five-year strategic plan aimed at accelerating the country’s progress in economic growth, good governance and environmental resilience. The National Transformation Plan (NTP 2025-2029) seeks to advance Somalia’s social development, the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development said in a statement issued during …

NAIROBI — A 5-day conference in Nairobi, Kenya, organized by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) was launched by the agency’s chief, Mohamud  Moallim Abdulle on Monday. The conference is a significant step toward addressing the critical issue of drought in Somalia. It brings together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to …

JALALAQSI — The Chairman of Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mohamud Moallim Abdulle recently visited internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the Jalalaqsi district of Hiiraan to assess the living conditions of the affected communities. The visit, which took place amid the ongoing drought, was aimed at understanding the challenges …

MOGADISHU — A two-day Emergency Relief Training program commenced on Friday at the headquarters of the Australian Security and Support Operations Management (AUSSOM). The training, aimed at bolstering essential life-saving capabilities, is tailored for both security and civilian personnel. Facilitated by a team of experienced medical professionals, the program focuses …

MOGADISHU — The Director-General of the National Rural Development and Sustainable Solutions Center, Mrs. Sahra Abdi, met with Mr. Sophos Sophianos, the Head of Projects at UN-Habitat Somalia, to discuss critical issues related to displacement, rural development, and the creation of sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities across Somalia. The meeting …

The Danish Refugee Council is deeply alarmed by the food security outlook in Somalia after the failed Deyr rains at the end of 2024 and the forecasted below-average April to June Gu rains, undermining recovery from the historic 2020-2023 drought. Predictive models indicate that up to 4.4 million people – …

MOGADISHU — International medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on Thursday warned of soaring malnutrition rates in Somalia, where chronic funding shortfalls have crippled humanitarian efforts. According to the MSF, without immediate and sustained support, thousands of children face not only starvation but also weakened immunity, increased vulnerability to diseases, …

A new African Union peace enforcement mission, known by its acronym AUSSOM, was launched at the beginning of the year to support a fragile Somali government that has struggled against a jihadist insurgency entrenched in the countryside. AUSSOM is the third iteration of a multinational combat force first deployed in Somalia in 2007. Yet, …

DAR ES SALAAM — The East African Community (EAC) on Tuesday launched the 12.5-million-U.S.-dollar Sustainable Regional Agricultural Extension (ENSURE) project to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability across the region. The EAC said in a statement on Wednesday that the three-year project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is expected …