Somalilandsun: The Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) is a multi-donor country-based pooled mechanism created in 2010 to allocate funding for the most urgent life-saving interventions in Somalia. Combining flexibility and strategic focus, the Fund ensures timely allocation and disbursement of resources, enables effective humanitarian action and strengthens coordination.
The Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) is responsible for the overall management of the SHF and is accountable for the use of funds. The SHF Advisory Board (current composition), chaired by the HC and formed by UN agencies, NGOs and donor representatives advises on the use of funds and the governance of the SHF.
On a day-to-day basis, the SHF is managed by OCHA Somalia Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) on behalf of the HC. The UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office serves as the Fund’s ‘Administrative Agent’: it receives, administers and manages contributions from donors, as well as disburses funds to OCHA and UN agencies, funds and programmes.
What rules govern the Somalia Humanitarian Fund?
The SHF is guided by the Global Country-Based Pooled Fund Guidelines, which include the CBPF Policy Instruction and the Global Operational Handbook. This guidance is reflected in the localized SHF Operational Manual. The Policy Instruction sets out the principles, objectives, governance and management arrangements for CBPFs, while the Operational Handbook provides technical guidance, tools and templates used in the management of CBPFs.
The funds contracted to partners are further subject to the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR). The SHF Operational Manual and its annexes provide technical guidance, tools and templates used in the management of the Fund.
