MOGADISHU — The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, on Tuesday welcomed the newly appointed UNICEF Representative to Somalia, Sandra Lattouf, at his office in the capital.
A New Phase of State-Building
During the introductory meeting, Prime Minister Hamza briefed Ms. Lattouf on the key administrative achievements of the DanQaran Government. He noted that Somalia has firmly entered a new phase of state-building and institutional reform following decades of recovery efforts.
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the National Transformation Plan 2025–2029 (NTP), presenting it to the UNICEF delegation as the country’s primary, overarching framework guiding all national development and socio-economic priorities for the next five years.
He further expressed his deep appreciation for UNICEF’s continued, life-saving support in critical sectors. These include the expansion of foundational education, healthcare infrastructure, child nutrition programs, and the provision of clean water—particularly for vulnerable rural communities severely affected by prolonged, recurring climate droughts.
Expanding Essential Services for Children
For her part, Ms. Lattouf reaffirmed UNICEF’s strong, unwavering commitment to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia and strengthening direct cooperation with national institutions.
The new Representative emphasized that the UN agency’s primary focus moving forward will be on drastically expanding access to essential public services. She outlined specific targets, including boosting child health and nationwide immunization campaigns, combating severe malnutrition, advancing inclusive education, and improving equitable access to clean water and sanitation services across the country.
The strategic meeting underscored the shared, long-term commitment of both the Somali government and UNICEF to permanently improving the well-being and future prospects of children and vulnerable populations nationwide.
