Abukar Osman

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development has officially registered 84 abandoned children who were found on the streets of Mogadishu during 2024, amid growing concerns over child neglect and lack of formal identification.

Speaking at the Third Annual Civil Status Steering Committee Conference held in Mogadishu on May 17, Minister Khadija Mohamed Al Makhzoumi revealed that most of the children lacked parental documentation or known guardians.

“In 2024 alone, 84 children were found abandoned on the streets of Mogadishu without any identification or traceable parents,” said Minister Khadija.

She noted that emergency steps have been taken to register the children officially and provide them with opportunities for a better life, though many are still being temporarily housed at the CID compound due to the lack of dedicated shelters.

The minister highlighted the lack of marriage and divorce registration as a root cause, stating that many of these cases are the result of unregistered unions and informal separations, leaving children unprotected and without legal status.

The Ministry satated that is now working on strengthening civil registration systems, in collaboration with local authorities and organizations, to ensure that children are not left undocumented and to reinforce protection services for vulnerable children across Somalia.