Migration and Development

The Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) initiative started in Somalia in 2008 with the first diaspora experts deployed in 2009. The overall objective of the MIDA Somalia programme is to strengthen the capacity of state institutions through the recruitment of qualified diaspora professionals to contribute towards achieving the goals stipulated in the National Development Plan of Somalia aligned with the Global Compact on Migration and the 2030 Development Agenda. The MIDA programme has deployed more than 800 diaspora professionals, local professionals, and local interns to provide capacity-building and technical skills support to the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States. 

Within the MIDA FINNSOM, qualified Somali diaspora professionals temporarily return to their country of origin to transfer their skills and knowledge to local professionals. IOM Finland is currently assisting two MIDA projects funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs: the MIDA FINNSOM Health project and the MIDA FINNSOM Health and Education project. Over 200 diaspora experts who have been transferring their knowledge and skills back to Somalia through the MIDA FINNSOM programme since 2009. 

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.

Read more about the MIDA programme managed by IOM Somalia.