Somalia Calls for Global Cooperation on Housing Solutions for Displaced Communities

Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Abdulle(Right) together with other stakeholders during a session at the Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi.

Somalia has called for stronger global cooperation to address housing challenges affecting displaced communities, saying Africa must strengthen its voice in international discussions on urban development and social inclusion.

Speaking during the Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi, Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Abdulle said African countries must work together to develop practical housing solutions, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who remain among the most vulnerable populations on the continent.

“We talked about global solutions and we have some very good examples when dealing with the integration and building houses for IDPs,” Abdulle said.

The ambassador noted that Somalia has been exploring approaches aimed at integrating displaced populations into communities through housing initiatives that promote social inclusion and local participation.

He said such programmes require collaboration between governments, communities, landowners and financial institutions to ensure that housing development is sustainable and accessible to vulnerable groups.

“And of course we also talked about the issue of living within housing, allowing communities and local landowners, finance and social inclusion. All these have been raised among each other,” he said.

The remarks come as African countries grapple with rising urban populations, climate shocks and conflict-related displacement that continue to strain housing systems across the continent.

Urban development experts attending the forum emphasized the need for stronger policy coordination, financing mechanisms and inclusive planning to ensure that rapidly growing cities can provide adequate housing while maintaining social cohesion.

Abdulle also urged African governments to strengthen their representation in global housing and urban development platforms in order to ensure the continent’s priorities are adequately addressed.

“We need expertise, We need a very strong voice. We need this housing issue to represent ourselves,” he said.

The Africa Urban Forum, which brought together policymakers, diplomats, urban planners and development partners, focused on finding sustainable solutions to housing shortages, climate resilience and inclusive urban growth across the continent.

Participants at the meeting stressed that addressing Africa’s housing deficit will require coordinated international action, stronger local governance and long-term investments in infrastructure and sustainable urban planning.