FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH (NIH)
PRESS RELEASE
Somalia Launched Pandemic Fund Project to Strengthen Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA – 18 August 2026 – The Federal Government of Somalia today officially launched the Pandemic Fund project “Building Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, Detection and Response Capacities in Somalia” marking a major step towards strengthening national health security and Somalia’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
Somalia has been awarded US$24.98 million from the Pandemic Fund, supported by US$99.6 million in partner co-financing and US$18.4 million in Government co-investment. The project will strengthen three priority areas: surveillance and early warning, laboratory systems, and workforce development, using a One Health approach that brings together human and animal health sectors.
The project is led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, and supported by three Implementing Entities: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF and the World Bank. The National Institute of Health (NIH) will serve as the Project Secretariat, will support technical coordination among stakeholders, delivery partners and implementing entities in the day-to-day implementation of the project, consolidated planning, monitoring and reporting.
The project will focus on three core areas:
- Surveillance and early warning: strengthening One Health and community-based surveillance, detection of priority zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, including Somalia’s points of entry, event investigation, data sharing, and risk communication and community engagement.
- Laboratory systems: strengthening specimen referral and transport, diagnostic capacity, biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory quality systems and linkages between human and animal health laboratories.
- Workforce development: building a skilled cross-sectoral and community One Health workforce capable of supporting routine preparedness and rapidly responding to outbreaks and other health emergencies.
Together, these investments will strengthen connections between human health, animal health and other relevant sectors through a One Health approach, enabling earlier detection of health threats and faster, better-coordinated responses.
The project will build on Somalia’s existing institutions and systems rather than establish parallel mechanisms, helping ensure that strengthened surveillance, laboratory, workforce and coordination capacities are nationally owned and sustained beyond the life of the project.
By 2029, the project aims to strengthen Somalia’s capacity to prevent, detect, notify and respond to public health threats while improving coordination across human and animal health sectors and supporting sustainable national preparedness.
The Federal Government of Somalia expresses its appreciation to the Pandemic Fund Secretariat, World Bank Group, FAO, UNICEF and all national and international partners contributing to this important national initiative.
“Together, these investments will help build a stronger, better prepared and more resilient Somalia—capable of detecting health threats earlier, responding faster and protecting lives, livelihoods and the country’s social and economic development from future epidemics and pandemics”.
Partner and Government Quotes.
| Organization / Institution | Official Quote |
| MoH | “Today marks a turning point for Somalia’s health security. For too long, we have responded to disease outbreaks after they have already cost lives and livelihoods. This project changes that. We are building the systems, the laboratories, the trained personnel, and the early warning networks that will allow Somalia to detect a threat and respond before it becomes a crisis. This is not just an investment in health — it is an investment in the sovereignty and resilience of our nation.
Dr. Ali Haji Minister of Health and Human Services, Federal Government of Somalia
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| Director General – Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range | “Protecting public health requires strong coordination between human and animal health sectors. Through a One Health approach, this project will strengthen animal health surveillance, veterinary laboratory capacity and our ability to detect and respond to zoonotic and emerging health threats.” Dr. Guled Abdijalil, Director General of Ministry Livestock, Forestry and Range, (FGS) |
| NIH | The launch of this project is an important milestone for Somalia and reflects our shared commitment to building a stronger and more resilient health system. Through continued collaboration between Government, communities and our partners, this investment will strengthen national preparedness and help protect the health and well-being of the Somali people from current and future public health threats.”
Dr. Hussein Abukar Muhiadin, Executive Director, National Institute of Health (NIH) and Project Lead
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| Other Relevant Ministry / Government Institution/ CSO | “The Pandemic Fund is an important opportunity to strengthen health security while improving equitable access to essential health services. We encourage investments that reduce financial barriers and ensure vulnerable communities can access the care they need.”
Representative of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Somalia |
| Pandemic Fund Secretariat | This new project reflects Somalia’s commitment to strengthening pandemic preparedness through a One Health approach. By investing in surveillance, laboratory systems, and the health workforce, the country is enhancing its ability to prevent, detect, and respond to future health threats. The Pandemic Fund is proud to support this country-led effort through catalytic financing: our US$24.98 million grant is helping to mobilize nearly US$118 million in additional domestic and international resources while bringing partners across sectors together around shared priorities.”
Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund |
| FAO | “Preparedness is not built during an outbreak. It is built in the quiet years, deliberately and together. FAO’s commitment is firm: technical rigour, transparent delivery, and full accountability to the Somali people and to our partners. Our request to all partners is equally clear to make this project become a system” Mr. Etienne Peterschmitt, FAO Somalia Representative |
| UNICEF | “This initiative demonstrates Somalia’s strong commitment to health security and the One Health approach. The Pandemic Fund will enable critical investments in surveillance, laboratory systems, community health services and workforce development. UNICEF remains committed to ensuring that communities, especially women, children and vulnerable populations, are at the center of preparedness and response efforts so that no one is left behind when future health emergencies occur.”
Nisar Syed, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Somalia
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