Garowe, Puntland — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Puntland Ministry of Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Garowe aimed at enhancing access to quality healthcare for refugees and host communities across the region.
The agreement underscores a shared commitment to strengthen health facilities and promote the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in Puntland’s national health system. By aligning humanitarian support with government-led health initiatives, both parties hope to create a more equitable and resilient healthcare framework.
Officials from both sides described the signing as a major step toward sustainable health development, emphasizing that refugees and displaced populations should not be left behind in the provision of essential services. The partnership will focus on improving healthcare infrastructure, expanding outreach to underserved areas, and supporting capacity-building for health workers to meet growing needs.
According to the Ministry of Health, the collaboration will help integrate refugee health services within the broader national system, ensuring consistency in medical care and strengthening referral networks. UNHCR officials noted that the agreement reflects the agency’s global approach of moving from emergency aid toward inclusion and national ownership.
Puntland, which continues to host refugees and internally displaced people fleeing conflict and climate shocks, faces mounting pressure on its limited health resources. This new MoU is expected to ease that strain by fostering shared responsibility between humanitarian actors and local authorities.
The initiative represents more than a formal agreement—it marks a renewed effort to ensure that all people in Puntland, regardless of their status, have access to dignified, affordable, and inclusive healthcare.