Bondere, Banadir – The Deputy Representative of the World Health Organization in Somalia, Dr. Mohamed Ali Kamil, joined WHO technical leads for Immunization and Emergencies on a recent field mission to Bondere district in Banadir. The joint visit aimed to assess the implementation progress of the ongoing National Immunization Days (NID) campaign and identify urgent health and humanitarian needs.
The delegation observed vaccination efforts on the ground, met with local health workers, and engaged community members to better understand operational challenges and areas requiring strengthened support.
This visit comes amid a nationwide immunization push that has successfully vaccinated over 4 million children under the age of five with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). The campaign is a key part of Somalia’s intensified efforts to prevent the resurgence of poliovirus and protect vulnerable children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The achievement reflects strong collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health of Somalia, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), and numerous frontline workers.
Despite insecurity and logistical barriers in some regions, health authorities and partners continue to expand reach through mobile teams, community engagement, and cross-border coordination.
WHO Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the government in reaching every eligible child with life-saving vaccines and addressing emergency health needs in high-risk districts.