Fifteen Somali medical personnel have completed a seven-month medical mentorship training programme conducted by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), in Dhobley, Jubaland State.

Organised by the ATMIS Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) contingent, the training was to enhance the capacity of local medics and healthcare services in the region.

The ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, underscored the program’s importance to supporting local communities and the Somalia Security Forces (SSF) with essential medical skills. He commended the graduands for completing the training and encouraged them to diligently serve their communities.

“The commitment, dedication and discipline you exhibited during the entire mentorship programme is commendable. I urge you to practice within the confines of your training and adhere to the medical ethics and the applicable government regulations,” said Maj. Gen Ngendabanka at the graduation ceremony held at the ATMIS Level Two hospital in Dhobley.

He said the skills acquired from the mentorship program will greatly benefit the local communities. “I am satisfied that the graduates have gained the necessary theoretical and practical skills that will enable them to discharge the respective duties to the population they will serve,” said Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka.

ATMIS Sector Two Commander, Brig. Seif Salim Rashid commended the graduands for their hard work and dedication.

“They were put under a lot of learning, both practical and theoretical. I want to commend the high levels of professionalism, enthusiasm and passion exhibited during the training,” Brig. Rashid said.

He emphasized the training’s impact to strengthening local medical facilities and the Somali Security Forces, with the graduates supplementing healthcare services in the area.

“It’s now on them to integrate and assist in addressing the medical needs of the local communities where they will be working and help to improve the quality of healthcare services in Dhobley town and its environs,” said Brig. Rashid.

Being integrated into KDF medics at the ATMIS Level Two hospital in Dhobley for the mentorship training programme, it covered courses on pharmacy, laboratory, dental technology, physiotherapy and orthopaedic technology, including midwifery, pre-operative nursing, and wound care.

“We first identified the gaps in the medical needs of the community based on which we offered the training. Peace is not only the silencing of guns. This must be complemented by the availability of essential services. This engagement will ensure that there is ownership of services by the community” said the Commandant of the ATMIS Level Two Hospital, Lt. Col. Jared Kebaso.

“I’m excited to have graduated from this mentorship programme. I previously trained as a nurse, however now I have added on to be a certified orthopedic. We didn’t have this local capacity and mostly used to refer such cases to ATMIS hospital. Now I can comfortably attend to such cases,” said Lt. Abdiwahab Abdullahi, an SNA medic who graduated with a certificate in Physiotherapy and Orthopedics.

Abshiro Rashid from the Dhobley General Hospital said: “I’m happy to be graduating today. Previously I worked as an Assistant midwife, now I am taking on the role of a midwife. I will urge the ATMIS to continue with this training programme so we can support our communities”

Beyond mentorship, the ATMIS Level II hospital serves as a referral center for Dhobley General Hospital patients requiring specialised medical services and emergency surgical procedures.

Somali National Army Commander in Dhobley, Capt. Qorane Mohamed, Dhobley Deputy District Commissioner, Mukhtar Mohamed and other senior local administration officials attended the graduation ceremony.

ATMIS developed this Civil-Military-Cooperation (CIMIC) initiative two years ago to facilitate medical mentorship and training of selected medical personnel from the Dhobley General Hospital and the Somali Security Forces. The third cohort commenced training in February 2024, comprising participants from various health facilities in Dhobley, non-governmental organisations and the SSF.

A comprehensive medical training manual has been produced for the graduates to train future cohorts, ensuring programme long term sustainability for the programme.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a US$ 5.2 million contribution from the Government of Norway to support 544,000 Malawians adversely impacted by the El Niño-induced drought.

Norway’s timely contribution will support WFP’s El Niño Response Plan which, in coordination with the Government of Malawi, aims to assist 2.1 million food-insecure people in Malawi. WFP will procure and distribute 3,200 metric tons of maize and ninety-eight metric tons of fortified corn soya blend for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition. In addition, 256,000 learners in some two hundred schools will receive a hot and nutritious meal.

Senior officials from Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), and WFP joined the Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Ingrid Marie Mikelsen, to celebrate this timely collaboration, which is set to bolster Malawi’s efforts in addressing one of its most pressing challenges—widespread hunger.

 “The Government of Malawi sincerely appreciates Norway’s generous contribution which comes at a crucial time, as we strive to meet the needs of 5.7 million individuals facing food insecurity” said Reverend Moses Chimphepo, Director of Disaster Response and Recovery, Department of Disaster Management Affairs in Malawi. “Norway’s support will help us address the resource gap to assist food-insecure people as much as we can until the end of the lean season in March.”

While WFP typically prioritises cash-based food assistance, current maize shortages and rising food prices in Malawi have made direct food distributions essential. This approach focuses on alleviating food insecurity, particularly for pregnant and breastfeeding women, young children through nutrition treatments, and learners benefiting from emergency school meals.

“Norway’s commitment is a significant step toward addressing the urgent food security challenges exacerbated by the dry spell,” said Paul Turnbull, WFP Country Director and Representative in Malawi. “By supporting general food distributions, treatment of malnutrition and emergency school meals, we are alleviating hunger and malnutrition, helping the most vulnerable populations.”

Ambassador Ingrid Marie Mikelsen, reaffirmed Norway’s dedication to assisting Malawi: “Norway is committed to improving food security and nutrition in Malawi. This is particularly important in these challenging times. We are working hand-in-hand with the Government of Malawi and WFP to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive nutritious food now but at the same, we need to think ahead to the next time extreme weather hits. That is why we also support initiatives aimed at increasing local food production in Malawi and making people more resilient to climate change.”

This partnership underscores the vital role that international collaboration plays in addressing food crises brought on by climate extremes. Through this contribution, Norway, WFP, and the Government of Malawi are providing essential relief during a critical time. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has met with Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to explore ways of enhancing cooperation.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, discussed strengthening UAE-Africa ties and developing aspects of joint cooperation at all levels.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

Millions of Somalis are at risk of falling deeper into hunger as below-average rainfall between October and December 2024 linked to the La Nina weather phenomenon threatens to reverse recent gains in food security. United Nations agencies are warning that without urgent funding for humanitarian action, the country – which in late 2022 was pushed to the brink of famine – could once again be plunged into a hunger crisis caused by severe drought.

The warning from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) follows the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis which reveals that 3.6 million people (19 per cent of the population) are currently experiencing crisis-levels of hunger in Somalia (IPC3+). 

This is expected to rise to 4.4 million between October and December this year when below average Deyr rains are anticipated. Additionally, 1.6 million children under the age of five are at risk of acute malnutrition until July 2025, including 403,000 likely to suffer from severe malnutrition.

“We are at a pivotal moment and must sound the alarm. Without swift action, Somalia risks slipping back into the hunger crisis that nearly led to famine in recent years,” said Elkhidir Daloum, WFP’s Country Director in Somalia. “Despite some progress in food security, many families are still at risk of hunger as food prices surge and crop yields dwindle. Our focus must be on providing immediate assistance while fostering long-term resilience. At WFP, we are ramping up efforts to protect communities before disaster strikes. By combining proactive strategies with early recovery initiatives, climate-smart solutions, and social protection measures, we can break the cycle of vulnerability.”

The IPC findings reflect global weather forecasts which indicate an 80 per cent probability of La Niña conditions, which could lead to drought in Somalia. The forecasts indicate the likelihood of a below-normal Deyr rainy season and above-normal temperatures which could cause severe soil moisture loss, poor crop and fodder productivity, and worsen food insecurity in vulnerable communities.

FAO Somalia Country Representative, Etienne Peterschmitt, stressed the urgency of early action given the La Niña forecast and the potential for drought. “La Niña’s impact on Somalia’s agrifood systems could be devastating, with degraded soil and water resources, disrupted planting seasons, and reduced crop yields. The loss of livestock will further threaten rural livelihoods, pushing millions deeper into hunger and poverty. Anticipatory action is essential to mitigate these impacts and prevent a worsening food security crisis.” 

“High levels of acute malnutrition among children are widespread and persistent. We are likely to see water sources depleting and malnutrition among children rising,” said UNICEF Representative Wafaa Saeed. “While the number of acutely malnourished children has reduced and more people had access to safe water, these gains are fragile, and risk being eroded. We need to sustain provision of life-saving assistance while simultaneously scaling up investments in resilience so that communities can respond and recover positively to recurrent shocks.”

FAO, OCHA, UNICEF and WFP are deeply concerned about the grim food security outlook for the next three months and beyond. Amid funding gaps, unfavorable rainfall forecasts, ongoing security challenges, and rising food prices, the agencies are urgently calling for additional funding to expand humanitarian and resilience programmes to mitigate the impacts of the expected drought in Somalia. As of 24 September, the 2024 Somalia Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan was only 37 per cent funded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).