Helsinki – IOM will organize today a seminar to celebrate the MIDA FINNSOM projects’ 10-year anniversary. The Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development will open the seminar, followed by two panel discussions about the Somali diaspora experts’ experiences in the project as well as on maternal and child health aspect. The day is to recognize the efforts and give voice to the long-term Somali diaspora participants of the projects. In the event, IOM will also launch a publication about the projects’ milestones and achievements.

Within the MIDA FINNSOM, qualified Somali diaspora professionals temporarily return to their country of origin to transfer their skills and knowledge to local professionals. The MIDA FINNSOM Health project has had in total 115 participants since 2008. The MIDA FINNSOM Health and Education, which aims to improve the health and education services, has benefitted from 58 professional assignments since 2015. Somali diaspora experts from both projects will today share their personal and professional insight and experience on their assignment.

MIDA FINNSOM’s focus on the most vulnerable populations, especially women’s and children’s health, is in line with the Finnish development policy’s priority areas. For instance, the work done at the Hargeisa Group Hospital has led to a significant decrease in maternal and infant mortality in the area. The MIDA FINNSOM projects are funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

You can read the publication by clicking on the link below.