Free Polio in Somalia
It has been three years since the last case of polio reported in Somalia. On 13 August, the milestone was celebrated with a colorful event organized by the Federal Government in Mogadishu. “The absence of cases of polio in Somalia today is testament to the leadership, commitment and hard work of the Government and people of Somalia,” said Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. The President of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, thanked the partners’ support: “this achievement would have not been possible without the support of UNICEF and WHO”. Certificates of appreciation were presented to select individuals for outstanding contributions to Somalia’s anti-polio effort.
