By - Reporter
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MOGADISHU, 26 October 2026 Somalia marked World Polio Day with a nationwide campaign to vaccinate every child against the disease, as the government and United Nations agencies called for sustained investment to end polio in the country.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services, working with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), held advocacy and community events on 23 Oct across the country. The events brought together government leaders, health partners, religious leaders, young people and communities to promote vaccination.
In Mogadishu, a women’s national basketball championship match was held on Friday at the WISH Basketball Stadium to raise awareness about polio. Senior government officials and development partners attended. Similar activities took place in Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West State and Jubaland.
“No child should suffer from a disease that can be prevented through vaccination,” Health Minister Ali Haji Adam said. He called on parents to vaccinate their children and on community leaders to support immunisation and counter misinformation.
Adam said the government would strengthen cooperation with federal member states, health partners, religious leaders and communities to ensure vaccines reach every child.
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This year’s theme, “One Investment, Multiple Returns”, highlights the wider benefits of polio eradication. Officials said the work also strengthens disease surveillance, improves routine immunisation and helps health systems protect communities against other diseases that vaccines can prevent.
“Every missed child leaves a gap poliovirus can exploit,” said Humphrey Karamagi, WHO’s representative in Somalia. He said stronger surveillance and vaccination were needed to reach children in remote and mobile communities and stop polio transmission in the country.
UNICEF Representative Sandra Lattouf said the three organisations were working together through stronger surveillance, high-quality vaccination campaigns and routine immunisation services, aiming to reach every child and close immunity gaps.
The agencies said reaching every child, including those affected by displacement and population movement, would require sustained investment and the trust of parents, caregivers and local leaders.
The nationwide activities are funded by the Gates Foundation through work led by UNICEF, in collaboration with the Somali government and partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.