UN reports rise in attacks targeting aid workers in Somalia

KDF soldiers of the Second Mechanised Infantry Battalion in Kismayo on October 12, 2022.[File, Standard]

The UN relief agency has expressed concern over attacks targeting aid workers delivering humanitarian supplies in Somalia, which increased in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Thursday that a total of 62 access incidents occurred between October and December 2024 across the country, reflecting a slight 8.8 percent increase compared to the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.

"Violence against humanitarian personnel, assets, and facilities remained consistently high, with two more incidents, from 15 reported in Q3 to 17 reported in Q4, underscoring the persistent risks to aid workers and resources," the OCHA said in its humanitarian report released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

According to the OCHA, while the overall trend of incidents has remained steady, there has been a notable shift in the types of access constraints reported in Q4.

The UN agency said that the number of military operations and ongoing hostilities impeding humanitarian operations rose to eight in Q4, up from six in Q3, indicating an increase in conflict-related disruptions.

The OCHA observed a marked improvement in interference with the implementation of humanitarian activities, with incidents dropping to 14 from 22. "This significant reduction suggests progress in minimizing external disruptions to humanitarian operations, potentially due to enhanced coordination and understanding of operational dynamics," the agency said.