The Appearing Particular Consultant of the Secretary-Normal for Somalia, James Swan, visited right this moment the South West State, as a part of his first spherical of in-person engagements with Federal Member States’ leaders.
“I’m happy to be again in Baidoa, South West State. I thank President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ and his workforce for warmly welcoming me and my colleagues right this moment,” stated Mr. Swan at a joint press convention after concluding conferences with the President and members of his Cupboard.
The conferences targeted on a variety of key matters associated to safety and state-building in Somalia and the South West State.
“I commend President Abdiaziz’s dedication to advancing state-building in addition to to struggle Al-Shabaab within the South West State. The United Nations is dedicated to supporting the federal government’s efforts to advertise peace, stability, and improvement throughout Somalia,” famous Mr. Swan.
Among the many nationwide priorities mentioned had been points associated to the constitutional overview and plans for elections.
“We acknowledge that President Abdiaziz has performed a constructive position in these processes,” stated Mr. Swan.
In his remarks, the Appearing UN Particular Consultant additionally highlighted the efficient partnership between the UN in Somalia and the South West State in advancing police improvement in addition to ladies’s participation within the safety system, by means of collaborative efforts within the Joint Police Programme.
Humanitarian and improvement considerations
Regardless of important assets in agriculture, livestock and fishery, South West State was traditionally the epicenter of a number of episodes of extreme meals shortages. In latest months, local weather change and insecurity led to elevated meals insecurity and prompted bigger numbers of individuals to flee in direction of city facilities similar to Baidoa, on the lookout for livelihood alternatives.
Present statistics present that greater than 950,000 folks within the Federal Member State’s Bay, Bakool and Decrease Shabelle areas expertise excessive ranges of acute meals insecurity, and virtually 370,000 kids face international acute malnutrition.
“The UN household and humanitarian companions are additionally working hand handy with the South West State to handle pressing humanitarian wants of populations,” stated Appearing UN Particular Consultant Swan.
UN companies, funds and programmes current within the South West State present assist to communities and internally displaced folks by means of a big selection of interventions together with meals help, well being and schooling providers, and reintegration actions.
Mr. Swan was accompanied by Wafaa Saeed, the Consultant of the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF); René Nijenhuis, the Deputy Head of the UN Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); and Felicia Mandy Owusu, the Deputy Consultant of the Workplace of the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“Our presence collectively right here in South West State is a sworn statement of the steadfast, collective assist of the UN system to the federal government and folks of South West State,” he added.
The Appearing UN Particular Consultant thanked President ‘Laftagareen’ and his authorities for his or her sturdy collaboration.
“Let me conclude by reiterating the UN’s dedication to assist South West State in its state- and peace-building priorities and in its response to humanitarian wants and constructing improvement for its folks,” famous Mr. Swan.
The highest UN official beforehand visited Somalia’s Jubaland and Galmudug states.
James Swan was appointed to his present place by the UN Secretary-Normal António Guterres on 14 Could 2024. He beforehand served because the the UN chief’s Particular Consultant for Somalia and Head of UNSOM from 2019 to 2022.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Help Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).