Garowe (KAAB TV) – The United Nations Office operating in Puntland, Somalia, known as UNITAS, is reportedly undertaking a major downsizing initiative that will impact a significant number of long-serving employees, including security personnel, custodial staff, and other essential workers.
Some of those affected have dedicated over two decades of service to the organization’s mission in the region.
This sweeping decision comes in the wake of a deepening financial crisis that has gripped the UNITAS office in Garowe.
Sources within the organization indicate that the financial shortfall has compromised the UN office’s ability to meet critical operational costs—including the payment of salaries and the rent for the privately owned premises that have served as the headquarters for many years.
According to several internal sources, farewell letters were issued to dozens of employees earlier this month, notifying them that their contracts will officially terminate by the end of October 2025.
The notices have come as a shock to many who have worked with the organization through years of hardship and regional instability.
While UNITAS has not formally declared the complete closure of its Garowe operations, reliable reports suggest that key activities and programs have already been relocated to a nearby facility currently occupied by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This move has fueled speculation that the consolidation of UN operations in the area may be a step toward streamlining or possibly phasing out the Garowe office altogether.
The downsizing initiative is reportedly part of a broader cost-reduction strategy in response to significant cuts in international funding for United Nations programs in Somalia.
The country, which has long relied on humanitarian aid and development assistance, has seen a decline in donor contributions in recent years due to shifting global priorities and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Employees affected by the downsizing have expressed concern not only about job loss but also about the potential impact on the community.
Security and sanitation services, in particular, are essential to maintaining order and hygiene in the compound—a critical issue in a region that continues to grapple with infrastructure challenges.
In addition to outright layoffs, some employees have been informed that their salaries and benefits will be reduced, while others have been told their contracts will not be renewed upon expiration.
These developments have raised alarm among the local staff, many of whom rely solely on the UN for their livelihoods.
As of now, UNITAS has not issued an official public statement regarding the staff reductions or the future of its operations in Garowe.
Local stakeholders, including Puntland authorities and civil society organizations, are urging the UN to reconsider or, at minimum, ensure an orderly transition that does not jeopardize essential services or livelihoods.
The situation continues to develop, and further announcements are expected in the coming weeks as the organization finalizes its restructuring plans.