MOGADISHU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN under-secretary-general for operational support Atul Khare wrapped up a three-day visit to Somalia Sunday by stressing the need for additional funding to support more Somali security forces. Khare acknowledged international partners contributing to the UN-administered Trust Fund and appealed for more resources to boost stabilization efforts in Somalia. I call upon all UN Member States to contribute to this Trust Fund. This is security for the future to enable the Somali security forces to take over full responsibilities, Khare said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. He stressed the significant role played by the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) which has been actively supporting the government in enhancing the capabilities of the Somali security forces, and civilians in critical fields such as civil aviation, supply chain management, medical triage, and medical evacuation. We have great hopes for Somalia, and I am confident they will build on the achievements made so far and reach even more milestones. We will stand side by side with them and assist them on this journey, Khare said. Over the past year, more than 500 Somali nationals have received training from UNSOS in various fields, he said. The UNSOS was expected to increase the number of Somali security forces supported by the Somalia Trust Fund to 18,900 from 15,900, starting November 2023 in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2710 (2023). Resource shortfalls in the UNSOS-administered Trust Fund, however, have hindered this scaling up, Khare said. Through the Trust Fund, the UNSOS has provided non-lethal logistical support to the Somali security forces engaged in joint or coordinated operations with ATMIS troops. This support includes delivering logistics such as food rations, fuel, communication equipment, tents, and lifesaving air medical evacuation. Khare said the UNSOS was looking into effective ways to build Somalia's capacity and provide operational support to Somali security forces. The UN official, who held talks with senior government, UN, and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officials, added the future role of the UNSOS will be determined as part of the post-2024 discussions on security arrangements in Somalia and a decision by the Security Council.
