The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Somalia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Investment, organized the National Launch and High-Level Dissemination Workshop on the Child Poverty Report.
The event was attended by the UNICEF Somalia Representative, the
Chairperson of the Somalia Disaster Management Authority (SoDMA), representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Investment.
Participants also included Directors from State Ministries of Planning, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and women-led organizations.
The draft report presented during the workshop highlighted the significant levels of child poverty in Somalia. According to the findings, approximately 79% of Somali children lack adequate access to essential services and opportunities, including shelter, nutrition, healthcare, education, and child development programmes.
During the discussions, concerns were raised regarding the report’s limited inclusion of children with disabilities.
This issue was highlighted by the Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Ambassador Khadija Al-Makhzoumi, who emphasized the importance of ensuring disability-inclusive data and policies.
The Ministry of Health expressed concern over persistent gaps in healthcare and nutrition services affecting children across the country.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs emphasized the importance of strengthening child rights protections and expanding social support systems for vulnerable children and families.
In closing, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Investment thanked all participants, development partners, and the NBS technical team for their dedication and efforts in producing the report and advancing evidence-based policies to address child poverty in Somalia.
