2021

The first case of the Novel Coronavirus (SARS Cov-2) in Somalia was confirmed on the 16th of March 2020[1] 5 days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease “a global pandemic”. As of 16 June 2021, Somalia reported 14,841 confirmed cases and 775 deaths[2]. The first wave of the infection lasted almost four months between mid-March 2020 and July 2020, with a weekly average of 173 confirmed cases and 5 deaths. The infection rate has risen sharply in the second wave between February 2021 and May 2021, with a weekly average of 553 confirmed cases and 36 deaths, an ominous signifier of more rapid spread of the infection and the loss of more lives than the previous wave in 2020. On the 15th March 2021, Somalia become one of the first 12 African countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine supply through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility[1].  COVAX initiative is supported by WHO, GAVI, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to improve equitable access and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world. It procures a supply of COVID-19 vaccines for low- and middle-income countries under the pooled procurement mechanism equivalent to inoculate twenty percent (20%) of their population. UNICEF, WHO, GAVI and other partners worked together to develop guidance, tools and training resources to support countries in assessing their readiness and planning to introduce and roll out COVID-19 vaccination. This study on the status of COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Somalia, assesses the existing opportunities and challenges to the COVID-19 mass vaccination and proposes policy options and recommendations to address the identified rollout gaps for COVID-19 immunization.

Sexual violence is widespread in Somalia. Two decades of conflict and the collapse of the basic functions of government have brought about a system where women and girls, many displaced and living in IDP camps, are inherently vulnerable to rape and other forms of sexual violence. The systematic use of sexual violence and rape has been a common feature of conflict perpetrated by all actors involved. Abortion is permitted in Somalia only to save the life of the mother basing on the 2012 Provisional Constitution of Somalia, the Somalia Penal Code (Legislative Decree No. 5 of 16 December 1962) and the Somalia Essential Drug List, 2003. In practice, this can be interpreted loosely or strictly, according to level of privilege enjoyed within Somali society. Clan affiliation, family wealth, and links with religious institutions as well as structural factors like rural/urban, pastoral/home-based and level of poverty can dictate the extent to which this rule is enforced. The more vulnerable you are, the higher possibility that you will not be able to access safe abortion services. Sexual violence survivors are extremely vulnerable, and require immediate support in the aftermath of assault. In a country where emergency contraception is non-existent, abortion services are absolutely critical.