WFP/UNHAS Donates Search and Rescue Equipment to Somali Civil Aviation Authority

MOGADISHU — The Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), Ahmed Moallin Hassan, has presented a report on the agency’s progress over the past four years during a meeting convened by the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development with officials from the Ministries of Communications and Information.

The meeting was held to assess the preparation of the Federal Government’s 2022-2026 Performance Report. Director General Hassan presented the achievements of the Civil Aviation Authority over the past four years and its role in developing the country’s aviation services and economic growth.

Officials praised the systematic approach taken by the Ministry of Planning in preparing the report, emphasising the importance of accurately documenting the performance of government agencies with verified data. The Minister of Planning instructed technical teams to expedite the completion of the report to ensure it becomes an official document that accurately reflects the successes and achievements of the Federal Government during the 2022-2026 period.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been working to modernise its operations and infrastructure. A new parking facility was recently opened at Aden Adde International Airport as part of broader efforts to transform the country’s main gateway. Director General Ahmed Maalin described the parking area as the foundational phase of a larger project designed to renovate and reorganise the airport’s entrance and frontal sections.

Somalia and Türkiye are planning a major overhaul of Aden Adde International Airport, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre holding high-level talks with Turkish Ambassador Alper Aktaş and executives from Favori LLC, the Turkish company managing the airport. The Prime Minister emphasised that modernising the airport was a national priority tied to Somalia’s economic recovery, tourism, and international connectivity.

Prime Minister’s Inspection and Directives

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has previously conducted an inspection tour of Aden Adde International Airport to evaluate service quality and the general performance of airport institutions. During the visit, he ordered immediate refunds for travelers who had been charged $30 for yellow fever cards, declaring that these essential health services must be provided free of charge. “The government will not tolerate difficulties faced by Somalis in accessing state services. Deficiencies will be addressed firmly, with responsible parties held accountable,” the Prime Minister warned.

He also directed airport management to assume increased accountability, focus on passenger convenience, and provide special attention to travelers in need of particular assistance, recognising the airport’s critical role as Somalia’s primary gateway.

WFP/UNHAS Donates Search and Rescue Equipment

In a separate development, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority recently received modern equipment from WFP/UNHAS to strengthen its Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. The handover ceremony was held at the SCAA headquarters and attended by a high-level delegation led by the WFP Country Director, the Head of UNHAS Aviation, and representatives from other international organisations operating in Somalia.

The equipment is part of ongoing support from WFP and UNHAS to enhance aviation safety and emergency response capabilities. Through the EU’s financial and logistical support, UNHAS provides vital air transport services for humanitarian personnel and cargo, especially in areas that are otherwise inaccessible due to insecurity or poor infrastructure.

The new equipment will improve emergency communications, aircraft or person location and tracking, and accelerate rescue response in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The donation follows the inauguration of a new 24-hour Search and Rescue Coordination Centre.

Both sides signed handover documents and a Memorandum of Understanding to further strengthen their future cooperation. WFP/UNHAS officials confirmed their continued support for developing Somalia’s airports, enhancing staff capacity, and strengthening the legal and regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Critical Note

While the progress reported by the Civil Aviation Authority and the donation of search and rescue equipment represent positive developments, the broader challenges facing Somalia’s aviation sector remain significant. A new children’s play area at Aden Adde International Airport has drawn sharp criticism, with travelers and safety experts questioning whether the facility was designed with children’s safety in mind. The incident has raised concerns about project oversight and the need for proper safety audits in airport infrastructure development.

The country’s airspace and airports continue to face security concerns, and the capacity of the Civil Aviation Authority to effectively regulate and oversee the sector is limited by resource constraints and institutional weaknesses. The government must prioritise investment in aviation infrastructure, staff training, and regulatory capacity to ensure that Somalia’s airspace is safe and secure. The international community, while supportive of these initiatives, must continue to press for accountability and transparency in the management of aviation resources. The Somali people, who rely on air travel for connectivity and economic opportunity, deserve a safe and reliable aviation sector.