On World Polio Day, Somalia rallied a whole nation behind one promise: every child protected

In Mogadishu on Friday, the women's national basketball championship tipped off for an unusual reason — to cheer on polio vaccination. Somalia's government, UNICEF and the World Health Organization marked World Polio Day 2026 with nationwide activities across Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Southwest State and Jubaland, bringing together religious leaders, young people and communities to renew the push for a polio-free Somalia and stronger routine immunisation for every child.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: behaviour campaign