The United Kingdom has announced an additional $3.9 million to support the security transition in Somalia, bringing its total contributions since 2021 to more than $50 million, according to a statement from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
The funding will be channeled through the Somali Security Forces Trust Fund, which is managed by the United Nations and currently provides logistical support to approximately 18,900 Somali National Army and police forces. During 2024 alone, British support has enabled UNSOS to deliver 6,000 tons of food rations and 2,000 tons of diesel to Somali forces, in addition to carrying out medical evacuations for dozens of wounded soldiers from the front lines.
The British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, said: “The United Kingdom is a strong friend of Somalia, and at this crucial moment, I am honored to announce additional funding to support the fight against violent extremists,” calling on international partners to increase their contributions to the Somali Security Support Fund.
For its part, the UNSOS office warned of the need for monthly funding of no less than two million dollars to meet the increasing requirements of the security forces, especially with the planned expansion in the number of forces to 20,900 soldiers, as stipulated in Security Council Resolution No. 2767 of 2024.
The Somali National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, welcomed the continued British support and renewed his call for donor countries to enhance their funding for the Somali security forces.
UNSOS Head of Office, Issa Kirabo Kasera, also expressed her gratitude to the United Kingdom, noting that medical evacuations funded by the Fund saved many lives and contributed to raising the morale of the troops.
It is noteworthy that since 2021, the United Kingdom has provided a total of 40.73 million pounds sterling (about 50 million US dollars) to the United Nations Security Trust Fund.
0 Comments