DHOBLEY, Somalia — Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have provided security escort to a high-level United Nations humanitarian delegation conducting an assessment mission in Dhobley district, Sector Two.
The operation, conducted on January 12, 2026, saw KDF troops jointly escort the delegation alongside officers from the Jubaland Intelligence and Security Agency (JISA), ensuring safe movement and access to vulnerable communities in the area.
The delegation was led by George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Somalia, and included World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director El-Khidir Daloum and Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) Commissioner Mahamoud Moallim Abdulla.
During the visit, the delegation toured the Midnimo Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, located on the outskirts of Dhobley, to assess humanitarian conditions amid a deepening crisis driven by prolonged drought following the failure of the most recent rainy season.
Humanitarian officials said the drought has severely affected food security, water availability and livelihoods, particularly among displaced families who already face limited access to basic services.
The delegation also held meetings with Dhobley district authorities and representatives of the IDP community, where urgent needs were discussed. Key concerns raised included shortages of food assistance, clean drinking water, shelter, healthcare and other essential services.
Officials said the assessment will inform the scaling up of humanitarian interventions and improve coordination between international agencies, Somali authorities, and local partners.
The security support provided by KDF troops highlighted AUSSOM’s role in stabilisation and humanitarian access, particularly in areas affected by insecurity and climate shocks. By facilitating safe movement for humanitarian actors, the mission enables timely assessments and delivery of life-saving assistance.
Under Article 238 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, national security organs are mandated to contribute to peace and stability in the region while upholding international obligations. Kenya’s participation in AUSSOM forms part of its broader commitment to regional security, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian protection.
Defence and humanitarian experts note that security escorts remain critical in Somalia, where insecurity can restrict access to displaced populations and delay aid delivery.
As drought conditions worsen across southern Somalia, officials say sustained cooperation between security forces, humanitarian agencies, and local authorities will be essential to preventing further deterioration of living conditions for displaced communities.
The mission reaffirmed the importance of integrated security and humanitarian efforts in addressing both immediate needs and long-term stabilisation in Somalia.
