What is UNSOA?
UNSOA was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1863 (16 January 2009) as a field support operation. The UNSOA mandate is to provide logistical support package to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), including equipment and services, but not including the transfer of funds.
The support package includes vital life support such as food, water, health and sanitation, and fuel; engineering; vehicles and other equipment; stationery; furniture; communications and Information Technology; information support operations; property management; capacity building; aviation and medical services; contigent owned equipment (COE) reimbursement; and support of AMISOM civilian personnel.
When did UNSOA become operational?
UNSOA became operational on the basis of a mandate from the Security Council on 16 January 2009.
Apart from providing support to AMISOM, what else does UNSOA do?
a) Support to the Somali National Army (SNA)
UNSOA supports the Somali National Army through the provision of food and water, fuel (in some locations), transport, tents and in theatre medical evacuation. This support will only be provided to SNA troops in joint operations with AMISOM.
b) Support to UN agencies
UNSOA also provides administrative and logistical support to the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the Great Lakes Region (O/SESG-GLR), the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) and a few UNMISS staff based in Mombasa.
What role does UNSOA play in rebuilding Somalia?
Through its logistical support to AMISOM and SNA, as well as administrative and logistical support to UNSOM, UNSOA supports the peace and stabilization efforts and therefore contributes towards peace building in Somalia.
UNSOA also supports the humanitarian efforts in Somalia by providing logistical support (movements) to the UN Country Team.
What are some of UNSOA’s achievements?
UNSOA achievements since establishment include:
- Dramatic improvement in the quality of life (food, water, accommodation, etc.) of AMISOM personnel;
- Establishment of an efficient supply chain which has ensured that AMISOM is well supplied and able to function more effectively;
- Reimbursement to TCCs for use of equipment;
- Extensive training for AMISOM personnel in a variety of areas essential for effective peacekeeping. This includes both pre-deployment and in-mission training;
- Establishment of a sophisticated public information outfit to support AMISOM.
Where does UNSOA get its funding?
The Financial instruments for UNSOA are a combination of:
- Assessed Contributions – from the UN regular budget
- Trust Funds – for voluntary contributions
Where can I get more information on UNSOA?
More Information on UNSOA can be searched on the UN Peacekeeping website.