GAROWE, Somalia — United Nations staffing reductions and declining humanitarian funding are threatening hundreds of jobs across Somalia, including Puntland, raising concerns about the long-term security of employment in international organizations.
According to Garowe Online, more than 680 UN employees have reportedly lost their jobs since 2025, including 522 Somali nationals and 158 international staff.
In Puntland, approximately 70 additional staff are projected to lose their jobs during 2026, although this estimate has not yet been independently verified. Previous reports documented contract terminations affecting long-serving UN personnel in Garowe, including employees with more than 20 years of service.
The wider humanitarian sector is also experiencing substantial job losses. Funding reductions have forced organizations to scale back operations, terminate contracts and suspend projects, affecting both direct employees and local businesses dependent on humanitarian spending.
The developments highlight the risks of relying entirely on UN and NGO employment. Although these organizations offer competitive salaries and professional opportunities, their positions remain vulnerable to donor decisions, restructuring and funding shortages.
Somali professionals should view international employment as an opportunity to build skills, savings and investments—not as a guarantee of lifelong financial security.
The situation reinforces the urgent need for Puntland and Somalia to expand private-sector employment, entrepreneurship and investment in agriculture, fisheries, livestock and other productive industries.
Somalia cannot build a sustainable employment future through dependence on internationally funded jobs alone.