ESCWA: Social Protection Landscape and Perspectives: Comprehensive National Review of the System and Reforms of Somalia

October 2026

This report sets out a comprehensive review of Somalia's social protection system and its reform needs and options. It assesses policies, legal and institutional frameworks, financing, programme design and delivery systems, and how well they address poverty, vulnerability and recurrent shocks. Prepared by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Somali Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Samuel Hall, the review finds that Somalia has built the core foundations of a national system under exceptionally challenging circumstances, including the Baxnaano safety-net programme and the Unified Social Registry. Coverage, however, remains limited relative to the scale of need, and financing depends almost entirely on donors. The report sets out priorities for the next phase of reform, from decentralised delivery and better targeting to stronger links between social protection, humanitarian action and durable solutions.

Read the report here

The report is also available on the ESCWA website.